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Thread: 1987 4wd automatic does not want to shift easily

  1. #1
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    1987 4wd automatic does not want to shift easily

    I have a 1987 4WD automatic. Recently had work performed on the van in which it was taken to a transmission shop to look it over(previous owner had records of the transmission being rebuilt within a couple thousand miles of me purchasing it from him). The van seems to not want to shift unless I let off the gas for a second, then get back on the gas and then it shifts. I’ll be at 3000-5000 rpm and it’s not shifting into the next gear. Since getting it back from the transmission shop, the issue seems to be worse, especially for 3rd and 4th gear. The van has 260,000+ miles on it. Is this par for the course or fixable? While this is a 4WD van, I haven’t even tried the 4wd, these issues are all for when it’s not in 4wd. Thanks for helping out a newbie who isn’t super mechanically inclined.

  2. #2
    Van Addict trestlehed's Avatar
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    Re: 1987 4wd automatic does not want to shift easily

    Use the search function and enter: "transmission kick-down cable".
    "You came in that thing?... You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia

  3. #3
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    Re: 1987 4wd automatic does not want to shift easily

    These cables stretch over time and need to be replaced but there are no replacement Throttle cables unfortunately. You may need to get a cable custom made

  4. #4
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    Re: 1987 4wd automatic does not want to shift easily

    I have the exact same issue on the exact same van...so is it a transmission kick-down cable or a throttle cable that would be causing this, and which one would need to be custom made?

    Thanks for the help ya'll !

  5. #5
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    Re: 1987 4wd automatic does not want to shift easily

    ah, I see from another thread they are the same thing.

  6. #6
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    Re: 1987 4wd automatic does not want to shift easily


  7. #7
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    Re: 1987 4wd automatic does not want to shift easily

    That pioneer one is way to short been there bought that and returned

  8. #8
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    Re: 1987 4wd automatic does not want to shift easily

    Good to know thanks. That's super annoying.

  9. #9
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    Re: 1987 4wd automatic does not want to shift easily

    Check out this thread, lots of info. Im gonna try the lube trick with my mechanic at some point and see if that helps. I wish I'd seen this thread earlier because I just had the TPS sensor and throttle body cleaning done.

    http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/s...months-sitting

  10. #10
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    Re: 1987 4wd automatic does not want to shift easily


  11. #11
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    Re: 1987 4wd automatic does not want to shift easily

    nope not even close. The cables for the van enter the transmission case and connect internally to the valve body. The cables are only a few mm thick and don't allow for barely any clearances

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