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Transmission not shifting into overdrive?

Tiny
SHEILA CESTARIC
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
  • 6 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 220,000 MILES
Car shiftes into gear fine until it comes to a complete stop. Then it wont shift in overdrive and rpm go up to 4 and 5. If I turn the engine off and restart it will go thru all the gear like it should until I come to a complete stop again. I replaced the speed sensor in transmission but did not cure. What is wrong.
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Sunday, September 13th, 2015 AT 7:55 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It sounds like you have a Powertrain Control Moduel (PCM) that is out because the speeds sensor is the only thing that effects that and the fact that when voltage stops it resets. I would replace it with a used one. Here is the location.

Check out the PCM diagrams (Below). They call it the ECM, Engine Control Module which is the same thing.

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers
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Sunday, September 13th, 2015 AT 8:18 AM
Tiny
SHEILA CESTARIC
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Yep you were so right once I replaced the PCM the problem went away I got a used one for 90.00 plugged right in all good now m8. Thanks for the tip. Look below
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2015 AT 8:08 AM
Tiny
CLINTON11
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 52,000 MILES
My vehicle had the 5 spd auto trans. Shifts perfectly when cold. After reaches operating temp iit loses its mind. It mimics a slipping powerglide at the first and to a lesser degree at the 2nd shift. Slow to turn into a side street and it seems to go into neutral, upon acceleration the engines revs and it doesn't engage a gear, then when does engage it may shift 2-3 times in succession. In stop and go traffic its bad.
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Monday, December 31st, 2018 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi Clinton11,

Thank you for the donation.

The transmission is shifting incorrectly and it could be due to a fault with the sensors or valve body.

Did you try to retrieve for trouble codes? You can get a free scan done at Autozone to retrieve the codes.

Does the Check Engine Lamp indicates while driving?

Have you checked the transmission fluid level and condition?
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Monday, December 31st, 2018 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EGGSTER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Toyota 2001 Highlander 6cyl.
Transmission starts off working great. I could drive 100 highway miles with no problem. Then is I stop at a light, when I resume driving the Trans will not upshift into over-drive. If I shut the car off and restart it, the trans is back to normal. I do have a code telling me my Knock sensor is bad but I don't think that would have a conection to my Trans.
Thanks
Eggster
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Monday, December 31st, 2018 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Knock sensor code set will put ECM in fail safe mode which will cause trans not to shift into OD.
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Monday, December 31st, 2018 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LAMBIGDADDY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Eggster, I am having the same exact prob with my Highlander as you were. But was told that is is very unusual for a knock sensor to go in a toyota? They told me that that it never happens just not really heard of. Very far a few I was told. So, was it ur knock sensor that caused your Highlander to not shift into OD? Can u p;ease let me know. Wut u found out. Thanks
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Monday, December 31st, 2018 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Eggster, has your issue been resolved?
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Monday, December 31st, 2018 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
GREASEDUDE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I am having the same exact problem with my Highlander as described above. Car drives fine until I reduce speed; then it won't go back into OD. Then I shut off; restart, and I’m fine; until I reduce speed again; then I’m locked out of OD again... I was getting a knock sensor code, but was also told it is is very unusual for a knock sensor to go in a toyota. I changed mine anyway. Situation improved for a while; then started again, including getting the knock sensor code again. Seems impossible that the knock sensor has gone bad again. Has anyone figured out how to solve this problem? Thanks. Greasedude.
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Monday, December 31st, 2018 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Eggster hasn't replied in almost a month, Greasedude. I would suggest having a shop perform a complete code scan, tell them both hard AND soft codes. Soft codes won't set the CEL/SES light.
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Monday, December 31st, 2018 AT 11:21 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERDOCK07
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have 2002 Highlander was told ECM replaced it and still same thing no faster than 40 mph?
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Saturday, July 15th, 2023 AT 11:57 AM

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