beehaven Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Brand new rebuilt A43-D transmission in a 1986 Toyota . Brand new solenoid. Brand new relay. The system works up to the relay. The solenoid works when connected to the battery via toggle switch. The OD worked when first tried after the new solenoid was installed. The relay made noises when the OD was activated then it quit shifting into overdrive and has not engaged since. The new relay works when the engine is hot I can feel it when I hold it in my hand. What lies between the relay and the solenoid that would keep it from working? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom W Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Mine's a 92 V6 there's a temp sensor close to the firewall that won't allow it to shift if cold also on this forum they mentioned something to do with elevation above 3000ft not shifting??,this one doesn't apply to mine as where I go its always more than 3000ft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmd Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 (edited) 1. I had a 1981 Toyota Cressida that had a bad overdrive relay. When I changed the relay the trans worked perfect. 2. There is a way to over ride the elevation sensor. Not sure how. David Edited December 31, 2008 by rmd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 What does the transmission shop have to say about all this? Are they trying to fix your problem? Are the shift points late (speed too high before shifting)? It could be a lot of things and all of them inside the transmission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beehaven Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 (edited) Big O didn't connect a transmission hose when they did a transmission flushand my transmission blew fifty miles later. They gave my rig to a transmission shop that rebuilt the unit. Transmission man said it was done so I signed a waver for Big O. The transmission man lied but he has the money and could care less if it works. The overdrive unit works when he bypasses the electronics and connects the solenoid to the battery...that was his idea of a fix. I could spend my money in court or continue fixing the hook up. I chose to do the latter.....sigh. Edited January 2, 2009 by beehaven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted January 2, 2009 Share Posted January 2, 2009 OK it does work directly connected that's good. Your MH only has a light and a switch on the gear lever right? Does the light light when it's off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beehaven Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 OK it does work directly connected that's good. Your MH only has a light and a switch on the gear lever right? Does the light light when it's off? Well, it's a column shifter with the light(dim) on the dash board. I haven't checked out the light (dim), but I will and will get back with you. (I left the key with the shop owner)............................... Thank you for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beehaven Posted January 2, 2009 Author Share Posted January 2, 2009 What does the transmission shop have to say about all this? Are they trying to fix your problem? Are the shift points late (speed too high before shifting)? It could be a lot of things and all of them inside the transmission. No, they are stiffing me. It is now my problem. Big O dumped $3,000.00 into it but won't go any further even though it was them who trashed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moms ruin Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Beehaven--Have you mentioned the fact that you belong to a North American wide Toyata Motor Home web site with a 1,000+ members and you have mentioned thier company on the web sight and every one of us is waiting thier answer.Might not hurt to tell them that the Yahoo group will hear about it as well. If the trans guy is independent he might not care.If it is a chain like big O, head office may not share the, don't care idea.Big O,s H.O. might not care to have thier name going to that many potentiol customers either. I have had pretty good action when the corporate people find out.The local people don't care till the heat comes down from the top. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bufbooth Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Hello Beehaven, If you have a lawyer, ask them to send a letter to the transmission shop stating that within 10 business days you plan on taking them to court for the cost of a new transmission, your time, and legal fees, if they do not attempt to correct the problem. Send the letter even if you have no intention to go to court, in a lot of cases the letter is all that is needed to get action. If you do not have a lawyer, look in the yellowpages for one, give them a call and tell them you need a letter sent, they will probably charge you $50 to $75. Keep us updated, Dennis... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Here is the dilemma Big O is the one the transmission shop has to answer to they are the ones that paid for the repairs. Big O apparently does not care if your O/D works or not, now it is up to you to make them care. If Big O tells the transmission shop their O/D does not work then they will have to fix it. If it worked you are untitled to have it work after an overhaul I would approach the pair Big O as the contractor and the trans shop as a sub contractor to see if you can get some resolution. What often happens a wire is pinched between the trans and the engine not an unusual screw up not to say that is what happened it’s just is not unusual. In a case like this you have to be your own advocate because they are going to try to skate a quick little note from a lawyer will probably make them pay attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beehaven Posted January 3, 2009 Author Share Posted January 3, 2009 Thanks guys, you are a breath of oxygen. I was feeling like a voice crying in the wilderness. I revisited Big O to document what had happened up to yesterday. They (Finally) gave me the invoice from the transmission repair shop that I signed a release ffor. It stated that $3,000.00 covered all parts and repairs and that the job was complete. It turned out that the transmission needed the overdrive solenoid replaced and I had to pay him $230.00 out of pocket because he had already billed Big O. So far my out-of-pocket expenses are about $400.00 and the transmission is still not fixed. I called the district manager in Utah (40 miles away) and he said not to take it to Toyota to have it fixed, that he would supply me with the names of other shops locally that would do the job. That was five days and two phone calls ago. This whole thing started November 8th and I haven't taken possession of my motor home since then. I am desperate enough to get it fixed any way I can. I am so tired of being screwed with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beehaven Posted January 3, 2009 Author Share Posted January 3, 2009 Well, it's a column shifter with the light(dim) on the dash board. I haven't checked out the light (dim), but I will and will get back with you. (I left the key with the shop owner)............................... Thank you for your help. OK I did check the dash OD light and it does not come on when I trigger the OD button. Is that significant? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bufbooth Posted January 3, 2009 Share Posted January 3, 2009 Hello Beehaven, If you paid your $400 out of pocket expenses with a credit card, call your credit card company and tell them the work was not done correctly and for them to reverse payment. You should have no problem with your credit card company in doing this, the payment reversal will happen immediatley and the transmission shop will be notified of the reversal in which the transmission shop will have to prove to the credit card company that the work was done correctly, which they cannot. You should end up with the work being done, or your $400 back. Dennis... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beehaven Posted January 3, 2009 Author Share Posted January 3, 2009 Hello Beehaven, If you paid your $400 out of pocket expenses with a credit card, call your credit card company and tell them the work was not done correctly and for them to reverse payment. You should have no problem with your credit card company in doing this, the payment reversal will happen immediatley and the transmission shop will be notified of the reversal in which the transmission shop will have to prove to the credit card company that the work was done correctly, which they cannot. You should end up with the work being done, or your $400 back. Dennis... I had to pay with a cashier's check paid to a parts supplier. In my life and times behavior like this would put a man out of business. Hand shakes sealed deals and a man's word was his bond. I am baffled by today's values, and judging from the economy it is not an isolated case. I am simply lost here. Revenge and getting even seems a terrible use of something so precious as life. No I will probably have to take my chances with yet another crook and hope I escape with my sanity intact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Do you have the MH? If not go get it before you cancel any payment or start an argument. If Big O's mother ship is only 40 miles away why not go sit in some big wig's office until they sort things out? You should not have had to pay for any thing the O/D valve just did not happen to go toes up by it's self and if it was bad why doesn't your O/D work now? So many repair shops make up for lack of knowledge by throwing parts at the problem then convincing the owner they needed them any way. A little note if they did pinch a wire between the engine and the trans it will eventually brake the flex plate between the engine and the converter probably would be a good thing to check. The fact that your light does not come on is significant actually it should come on when the O/D is off. I am going to dig up a diagram of the O/D wiring and see just what goes on there as far as I know the light should work regardless of any interlocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beehaven Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 (edited) Do you have the MH? If not go get it before you cancel any payment or start an argument. If Big O's mother ship is only 40 miles away why not go sit in some big wig's office until they sort things out? You should not have had to pay for any thing the O/D valve just did not happen to go toes up by it's self and if it was bad why doesn't your O/D work now? So many repair shops make up for lack of knowledge by throwing parts at the problem then convincing the owner they needed them any way. A little note if they did pinch a wire between the engine and the trans it will eventually brake the flex plate between the engine and the converter probably would be a good thing to check. The fact that your light does not come on is significant actually it should come on when the O/D is off. I am going to dig up a diagram of the O/D wiring and see just what goes on there as far as I know the light should work regardless of any interlocks. I am your servant... If you could send me the location of your "overdrive wiring diagram" I would be beholding. All I have is a Hanes diagram and it is difficult for me to read. Locating anything else on the overdrive unit has been difficult as locating an Ivory Billed Woodpecker........................Steve Edited January 4, 2009 by beehaven Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoprat Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 May I make a suggestion here ? Go on the web to All Data and creat an account for your vehicle. They have every wiring diagram, diagnostic aids, part numbers, service bulletins, parts cost and labor times. Well worth the money. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beehaven Posted January 4, 2009 Author Share Posted January 4, 2009 May I make a suggestion here ? Go on the web to All Data and creat an account for your vehicle. They have every wiring diagram, diagnostic aids, part numbers, service bulletins, parts cost and labor times. Well worth the money. John Sounds like a winning idea. Have I said thank you enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoprat Posted January 4, 2009 Share Posted January 4, 2009 Beehaven.. You said quote," Sounds like a winning idea. Have I said thank you enough? " And I say if you give me a cake, preferably chocolate, with "Thank You" decorated on it, I will say it's enough. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beehaven Posted January 5, 2009 Author Share Posted January 5, 2009 Beehaven.. You said quote," Sounds like a winning idea. Have I said thank you enough? " And I say if you give me a cake, preferably chocolate, with "Thank You" decorated on it, I will say it's enough. John I went up and got my MH from the people I had entrusted it to.I'll find my ohmmeter and go about checking what wiring I can. You guys were the one bright spot in my many encounters. As for the cake? If I bake it you may feel its a curse rather than a thank you. I am looking forward to running into you at some future campsite or park. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I have the wiring digrams. Does yours have the ECT unit or just the switch in the shifter? The ECT would allow you to change the shift points (power/economy) Do the windsheld wipers work? Probably so because you said you could feel the relay pull up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beehaven Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 I have the wiring digrams. Does yours have the ECT unit or just the switch in the shifter? The ECT would allow you to change the shift points (power/economy) Do the windsheld wipers work? Probably so because you said you could feel the relay pull up. Thanks Main... Tomorrow I am taking her into the Toyota folk to find the problem. I have never taken her out anywhere yet and am just getting familiar with the "old girl" (my apologies to Humphrey Bogart). This rig is a magnet for previous owners who just want to look and remember their old one they used to own. They all say the only regret they had was in selling theirs. I am really looking forward to setting out on my first adventure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beehaven Posted January 7, 2009 Author Share Posted January 7, 2009 I have the wiring digrams. Does yours have the ECT unit or just the switch in the shifter? The ECT would allow you to change the shift points (power/economy) Do the windsheld wipers work? Probably so because you said you could feel the relay pull up. There is a button on the shifter and an OD light in the dash which remains dark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted January 7, 2009 Share Posted January 7, 2009 Ok I am not at home (of course that is where the prints are) I'll see if I can pm them to you and give you and an ideal of how to check the system when I get home it is very simple the ETC system is not. If nothing else it will save you some shop time with Toyota if you check every thing ahead of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted January 8, 2009 Share Posted January 8, 2009 Beehaven I sent you a PM about your wiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beehaven Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 AH HA!!!! I found the mystery problem to the no-shift Over drive. The Toyota garage was correct in that the problem lay in the transmission fix (valve body). I took that information to the transmission mechanic and he said the Toyota folk "were full of it"! I told Toyota people as much and they requested I return and they would show me the evidence. Patiently the mechanic handed me a multi-meter and shifted in and out of OD while I watched the needle jump from 12 to zero volts. "See the system is OK", he said, then he had me put my ear into the open hood and listen for the solenoid to click its operating click. It ckicked, obligingly..."Throttle body...Must be!" I asked if he had the time to check it out, and after a long pause he said "OK" The estimate was for three hours...it took six. I don't know if you've ever sat in a mechanic's waiting room but it is torture to watch them come and go while you sit and wait. He said he had found that the two gaskets were transposes and everything else was ok. He re-assembled the truck and went for a test drive. I couldn't see how backwards gaskets could be the problem...But they were. He handed me the keys and said "It's all yours" Then Toyota did a most surprizing thing. They stuck to their estimate of three hours !! I drove the forty miles home going into, and out of, overdrive with a smile on my face and a load off my obsessive mind. Tomorrow I present the facts to the arrogant transmission shop owner. While I would like my money (400 dollars) returned I have no illusion as to the sudden appearance of the man's integrity. It is his life and conscience and he has to live with them both. As for me...I am free at last! To all of you who have responded to the information the transmission man gave me...I am indebted. I have never felt so happy belonging to a web sight as this one. You are all my heros. However no chocolate cakes will be forthcoming . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLittlePuppy Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Hey Beehaven, I love a happy ending! Sure hope you can really be happy and get your $400 returned; sometime miracles do happen! Hooray for the Toyota garage people , they do know their vehicles. We love our Toyota guys that work on The Little Puppy. These guys on this forum are the best and always willing to help. Wishing you long transmission life and fun times in your Toy! Dianne (we enjoy our manual 4-speed!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bufbooth Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Hello Beehaven, Could you post the contact information of the Toyota dealer that fixed your problem? (Name, address, phone number, and service person) I would like to start a recommendation list of repair shops that Totyota RV owners had a positive experience with. I believe this list would be extremely valvuable to all of us especially if we break down on a trip. I would pay extra to have my Toyota towed to a place that I believed were experienced and fair on repairing Toyotas, than to take a roll of the dice with the closest repair shop. Thank you, Dennis... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLittlePuppy Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Hello Beehaven, Could you post the contact information of the Toyota dealer that fixed your problem? (Name, address, phone number, and service person) I would like to start a recommendation list of repair shops that Totyota RV owners had a positive experience with. I believe this list would be extremely valvuable to all of us especially if we break down on a trip. I would pay extra to have my Toyota towed to a place that I believed were experienced and fair on repairing Toyotas, than to take a roll of the dice with the closest repair shop. Thank you, Dennis... Dennis, If you are near Tulsa, Oklahoma we highly recommend: Superwrench Import Auto Specialists (Toyota) Serving Tulsa for Over 30 Years - Kevin Medlin, Owner/Manager 11321 E 60 Pl. Tulsa, OK 918-250-0353 Thanks, Dianne ... '84Dolphin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Good deal glad you found some one on the left coast that knew what they were doing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoprat Posted January 9, 2009 Share Posted January 9, 2009 Wadaya mean no chocolate cakes ? Humph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beehaven Posted January 9, 2009 Author Share Posted January 9, 2009 Hello Beehaven, Could you post the contact information of the Toyota dealer that fixed your problem? (Name, address, phone number, and service person) I would like to start a recommendation list of repair shops that Totyota RV owners had a positive experience with. I believe this list would be extremely valvuable to all of us especially if we break down on a trip. I would pay extra to have my Toyota towed to a place that I believed were experienced and fair on repairing Toyotas, than to take a roll of the dice with the closest repair shop. Thank you, Dennis... You betcha, Dennis....The outfit is Stephen Wade Toyota 1700 South Hilton Drive Saint George, Utah. 84770 1-800-451-8384 Pamela Mahony.....Service Writer I WOULD AVOID, AT ALL COSTS "MESQUITE TRANSMISSION AND PERFORMANCE" (Allen Smith, proprietor ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.