No reverse & slow forward gears help please!!

[DandyUK]

Hi All

Massive problem with my hi lux this morning when coming into work, its a 3.0td kzn185. it will not go into reverse at all, and barely moves forward gears, have to rev to around 3000 to get her moving then it rolls ok, I have put it into 4wd and it seems to move a little better, but still no reverse at all.
Does anybody have any suggestions please, or does anyone know of a good hilux mechanic in the southampton area.

Any help appreciated.

Andy

[stormforce]

I had simialr on my kzn130 a while back and i disconnected the batteries over night and problem solved as it reset the ecu.Not sure if the same thing will work on the 3rd gen or not but worth a try if your at work and leave the batteries dis-connected till home time

[BUSHWHACKER]

Did the problem suddenly happen or has it been getting worse for a while?

[DandyUK]

Did the problem suddenly happen or has it been getting worse for a while?

Thanks for replies, recently reverse has been "shuddering" intermittently.

Just gonna disconnect battery.

I will post reply if fixed.

Andy

[BUSHWHACKER]

Sounds like the transmision fluid needs topping up or replacing to me.

[DandyUK]

Sounds like the transmision fluid needs topping up or replacing to me.

I did check it, and have just checked it again. Its bright red and with no gunge in it, the level is about 4cm over the hot, but it always has been since ive owned it, about year and a half.

Andy

[adpsimpson]

Have you checked the ATF level? Sounds like the most probable cause.

Edit: I swear there were no replies when I opened this tab a couple of hours ago...

[BUSHWHACKER]

I did check it, and have just checked it again. Its bright red and with no gunge in it, the level is about 4cm over the hot, but it always has been since ive owned it, about year and a half.

Andy

Did you check the level with the engine running?

Too much fluid is as bad as too little as pressure will build up causing seals to leak.

[DandyUK]

Did you check the level with the engine running?

Too much fluid is as bad as too little as pressure will build up causing seals to leak.

No the engine was off, should I check when running then?

[charvell]

Yes, check it with the engine running, when did you last change it? if its as you say been a year and a half, i would change it anyway. It may look red but you will be surprised when you see what comes out

[DandyUK]

Yes, check it with the engine running, when did you last change it? if its as you say been a year and a half, i would change it anyway. It may look red but you will be surprised when you see what comes out

Ok, I will give that a try. How much and what type of oil do I need? Anyone know where the drain bolt is? Sorry for all the questions but thanks for all the replies!

Andy

[MattF]

Dexron II or III.

[DandyUK]

The ecu reset didn't work unfortunately. And I checked the atf fluid while running and that is about the same.
I limped it home in 4wd, but still no reverse, anyone know of a reputable auto gearbox specialist in southampton area please?

Andy

[stormforce]

I'm just wondering if the ecu has had it cause if the rest is ok and reseting the ecu hasn't worked then i would see if there's anyone local that you can try their ecu from their 3.0l and see if that works.Not sure if the kzn185 and kzn130 ecus are the same or not as the engines are the same in both trucks

[Tallyman]

I know it's not usual with the Surf gearbox but you could have an internal problem with the box if you've lost reverse. I had similar on an old Ford autobox years ago and lost both first and reverse at the same time. Try putting the box into 1st gear and see if it pulls away OK. If not, you're going to need some internal surgery on it to get it working again as that could be the reason for the poor acceleration, in that you're using second or third to pull away, instead of first gear.