L400 V6 normal RPMs?

sinjin · Post by **sinjin** » Tue Jan 17, 2017 8:14 am

Hey All,

I have a 1996 (series 1) L400 V6 (6G72 engine) LWB model that I just purchased in the fall. Can anyone with same engine / model tell me what sort of RPMs they run at on relatively flat highway while around 100 km/hr? I recently had an oil change and put in 5W30 (likely different oil than before as it probably had 10w30 or 10w40), and had some belts tightened as there was some squeeking going on. Now, I don't know if I'm imagining things or not, but it seems the engine may be running noticeably higher RPMs than before at that speed range (3500ish RPMs). Almost as though it might not be finding 4th?

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Post by **thelazygreenfox** » Wed Jan 18, 2017 7:25 pm

Push the overdrive button, you'll know if its missed a gear. I'm on the highway tomorrow, let you know then.

An engine oil change should make no difference on the trans unless.....

The diesel is a bit rougher but I can feel some of the shifts of the tranny in my gasser. They are subtle but you need a zen mode to notice.
MD

Post by **thelazygreenfox** » Thu Jan 19, 2017 10:50 pm

This is from my SWB gasser
70 km-1500rpm
80 km-2000 rpm
100 km-2500 rpm
Rpms on a LWB gasser should be similar if not the same. Anyways its a good guideline.
MD

sinjin · Post by **sinjin** » Sat Jan 21, 2017 8:19 am

thelazygreenfox wrote:This is from my SWB gasser
70 km-1500rpm
80 km-2000 rpm
100 km-2500 rpm
Rpms on a LWB gasser should be similar if not the same. Anyways its a good guideline.
MD

Thanks for checking. I'll give her another run today to double-check and try dropping into 3rd using overdrive off. *Gulp*

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sinjin · Post by **sinjin** » Sun Jan 22, 2017 8:11 pm

OK. Gave her another run. Confirmed...there is no 4th gear. [emoji29]

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sinjin · Post by **sinjin** » Wed Jan 25, 2017 4:21 pm

Deleted post...

sinjin · Post by **sinjin** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 4:53 pm

Ok...need some help guys. After chatting with some owners on DelicaClub.com, a few had mentioned looking into my coolant temperature sensor(s), because if they are faulty, it can prevent electronically controlled transmission from attempting to go into Overdrive. I have since swapped out both the engine coolant temperature gauge unit, and the engine coolant temperature sensor with OEM replacements from amayama.com. Unfortunately, this did not fix the issue with my lack of overdrive. Re-checked the Overdrive fuse under the dash (which is fine), and the O/D light comes on and off on the dash. Still running 3,500-ish rpms at 100km/hr though....so no 4th gear.

Any other suggestions?

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Tue Feb 28, 2017 7:15 pm

I'd presume the fault is related to the work done during the oil change and belt tightening. I'd look for something unplugged near the oil filter or alternator.

I'd also check all the plugs and connections on/near the transmission. Apparently the connection to the overdrive solenoid can come loose.

Post by **thelazygreenfox** » Thu Mar 02, 2017 1:38 pm

SJ
I agree with GB above. Don't change parts till you've exhausted possibilities on the work just done.

Take it back to the shop that did the oil change or to a transmission shop. Sometimes they (TS) might offer over the counter advice. Usually it's the middle aged or old guy that has the most experience and best advice.

Ask for quotes first before any work is done.

MD

sinjin · Post by **sinjin** » Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:38 am

Thanks guys! I will be taking it to the shop to be inspected on Wednesday, and they will see if they inadvertently messed something up while doing the oil change or tightening belts. I looked at everything I could and didn't see anything awry (but as I said I've already replaced the coolant temperature sensor as I had noticed the pin on the connector to the original sensor had been bent).

I've also taken the following steps (this excerpt from a post I just made on delicaclub). Based on the below info, do you guys have any additional suggestions/comments for me?:

I've read a bunch of threads now, including those noted at the bottom of this post (for your quick reference). I removed the steering column cover and inspected the wiring from the O/D switch to the point where it disappeared under the dash. Seemed ok to me...and I did disconnect, inspect, and reconnect at the steering column clip connector. Once again, worth noting that the O/D light does turn on and off as it is supposed to, and the fuse isn't blown. I also tried driving it at highway speed with Overdrive enabled (and disabled) while pressing and holding the overdrive button (as some people reported internal spring issues in button switch mechanism). Doesn't matter what I did, it still runs at 3500ish rpms at 100 km/h (no 4th gear). So then I removed the center console cover so that I could see the PIN connector for the ECU. See picture I have attached of my ECU pin connector. Based on the only information I currently have to go on (from post #4 below), the Overdrive wire arrives at the ECU as Red/Black at PIN #8 (top row about halfway along). Can anyone confirm that for me? (for a 96 L400 Series One Super Exceed from Japan - PF6W chassis - 3.0L V6).

I'm completely out of my element when it comes to testing electrical circuits, particularly automotive circuits...but I do have a multimeter. Can anyone kindly provide a how-to-test-this-pin-connection step-by-step? I'm taking it into a local shop on Wednesday, but I figured if I can at least determine that it is working properly up till the ECU, then the mechanic can concentrate on the stuff past that, including the solenoid inspection and testing, and also making sure that the guy that tightened the belts and did the oil change didn't screw something up inadvertently a few weeks back. If we test all of these things, and can't determine the issue, then I will have to assume it is something more serious inside the gearbox/transmission itself *gulp*.

Overdrive Related Discussions:
1) Overdrive refuses to engage, advice please!?: http://www.delicaclub.com/viewtopic.php?t=490&p=345420
2) What's your gearbox doing?: http://www.mdocuk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15879 (and also http://www.headley2009.com/gear-indicator.html)
3) Overdrive / L400/1995/Relay/Tempsensor/Solenoid: http://www.delicaclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=32943
4) Auto Trans ECU Pin Identification S1 only: http://www.delicaclub.com/viewtopic.php?p=157973#157973
5) 2WD - 4WD Transmission (Switch Locations): http://www.mdocuk.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20715

sinjin · Post by **sinjin** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 4:45 pm

I believe the problem is the overdrive switch on steering column's gear selector itself. Although the "O/D Off" light on the dash does go on and off as expected, and the O/D switch 'feels' fine, I believe that when overdrive is switched on, the switch on the gear selector is not switching the circuit properly and therefore not feeding 12V to Pin 8 on the ECU as it should to tell the ECU that overdrive is on. Does this sound probable to everyone?

If so, I think I want to bypass the O/D selector switch with a single-pole-double-throw (SPDT) toggle switch in one of the spare switch positions on the dash. Has anyone done that and can tell me where they sourced a toggle switch that looks factory-like and fits like a glove into one of the spots on the dash?

Thoughts?

Post by **Growlerbearnz** » Sat Mar 11, 2017 11:20 pm

It sounds like a reasonable hypothesis. Could you try connecting +12V to pin 8, just to be sure it cures the problem?