200 series won’t shift past 4th gear

[Swaggs200]

Hi 

got a 200 series landcruiser and it won’t shift past 4th gear all the time to fix it gotta turn car off for 5 mins and start again last a couple minutes and does it again anyone else had this issue 

[Seismic60]

Hi,

My 200 series (2012) had that issue - not shifting past 4th gear, and at same time the cruise control stopped working. The problem started intermittently but eventually became continuous.
Solution in my case was replacing the accelerator sensor (foot pedal assembly) - once I did this all the problems disappeared. That was about 2 years ago and have had no issues since.
 

[Randall]

Hi Zac

Did you find answer for your issue. I have the same issue with 2014 200 series, started intermittently, now regularly, took to local Toyota dealer, they have no idea. Noticed Eric's reply of replacing accelerator sensor, did that work for you ? cheers Randall

[Richard88]

Hi,

I have the same problem with my 2012 GX LC200. On solid and cannot clear, 1 to 4 th ok but no 5 or 6th. Cruise control not working also. Have not changed the accelerator pedal sensor yet as would expect an error code and check light if this was the problem and not getting either! Had the auto transmission checked today and valve body and actuators working fine so definitely external to the box, getting the rest checked Monday but running out of ideas. Hard to isolate without any error codes coming up. Any help would be appreciated.

cheers,

Richard. Gold Coast.

!

[campbeam]

Richard,

When was the transmission fluid last changed?

[Tony Prodigy]

Modern transmissions are so complicated. They're governed by whole raft of sensors and computer modules. Gone are the days when we all would attribute dodgy gearshifts with low oil. These days, which sensor could be bad or is the computer on the fritz.

You would obviously want to have it serviced and maintained so the fluid has some integrity, but it's probably time for a plug in code reader for an assessment.

[Richard88]

Update to above post. Got six gears again after disconnecting battery for 30 mins  problem disappeared. On reconnection accelerator sensor is reset by the ECU so suspect I have a dodgy accelerator sensor as has not increased revs on pressing a couple of times recently. Unfortunately will have to replace the whole accelerator pedal assembly as comes as one unit including the sensor I believe.

cheers,

Richard

[Silver Fox]

I’ve had a 2009 LC200 VX since new. 12 months ago it started not changing up to 5th/6th gear intermittently, either in drive or manual.  When it’s in this mood the cruise control doesn’t work either, plus it doesn’t like changing down gears when in manual mode- like going downhill. There is no pattern to when it will do this. It might be good for weeks then the problem will return, but usually not for long. I’ve had the car to numerous mechanics, auto electricians, transmission specialists and 3 Toyota dealers. Of course nobody has heard of this problem before and have no answers. After seeing an earlier post here about changing the accelerator assembly, I think that might be worth a try. At $330 for the part, it could be the cheapest fix I’ve had so far?        Gary

[Tony Prodigy]

These very complex systems need to be interrogated with a high end scan tool for a better, more accurate diagnosis. It's premature to assume a mechanical issue in the transmission as there is way too many electrical gremlin possibilities to consider. Sensors here, there and everywhere can go wayward and can affect the comms of said systems.

[Silver Fox]

The last Toyota place that was recommended I go to apparently had the best drivetrain diagnostic equipment anywhere and they (like all the others) couldn’t find any past or present error codes. They randomly drove it for 140km over a 3 week period while I was away on a trip and they couldn’t fault it. They all say they can’t fix what they can’t find, and of course it never plays up when it’s booked in somewhere. 

[Tony Prodigy]

34 minutes ago, Silver Fox said:

They all say they can’t fix what they can’t find, and of course it never plays up when it’s booked in somewhere. 

It's always the way, I know.

It's probably an intermittent issue, hopefully one that rectify itself perhaps. Abnormal battery voltage can also wreak havoc with electrical systems too, so ensure you have a decent battery or get it load tested.

[Silver Fox]

Thanks Tony. About 6 months ago I was told one of the starting batteries was down so I replaced both of them. I towed the caravan yesterday for about 120km. The first half was fine, then had to drive the rest of the way in 4th gear after stopping along the way. Totally intermittent problem. 

[DN 200]

Any update on this, just purchased an early 200 series and this exact thing is happening to mine. Any feedback on the accelerator pedal?

[Silver Fox]

I replaced the accelerator pedal assembly 3 weeks ago, then drove the car for 80kms and got 5th/6th gear the whole way. I stopped to come home and then it wouldn’t go past 4th gear for the next 60km. I thought that was another waste of money so I stopped and turned it off for 5 minutes. It was perfect then for the rest of the way home and has been ever since. I’m not saying it’s fixed because I’ve been fooled with it before, but 3 weeks continuously with 5th/6th gear is a good sign. Maybe the new sensor part just had to reset itself or something? Fingers crossed. 

[DN 200]

Yeah it definitely sounds sensor related, just did a reset on mine (disconnected battery for 30 minutes, started and ran then disconnected for another minute) then drove perfectly. But I feel like it will probably happen again after a decent drive. Had to drive 200ks before it happens originally, but then it was continuous. 
 

Probably a good idea to get Toyota to re-learn the transmission as well I reckon, as they all have the issue of not dropping into 6th early enough.

[Adam 01]

Iv changed the pedal assembly in my 08 200 but it still won't change past 4th gear any suggestions 

[Adam 01]

I can't see replys 

[Tony Prodigy]

14 hours ago, Adam 01 said:

I can't see replys 

Probably because nobody knows. These modern computer on wheels vehicles are getting far too complicated for the average man. It needs a deep dive I think and a scan with a high end scan tool to see what other underlying codes could be tale telling.

Have you approached a Toyota dealer technician ? They may have come across this issue already.
Is there much on the net ?? I haven't looked.

Edited September 3, 2023 by Tony Prodigy

[Silver Fox]

9 hours ago, Tony Prodigy said:

Probably because nobody knows. These modern computer on wheels vehicles are getting far too complicated for the average man. It needs a deep dive I think and a scan with a high end scan tool to see what other underlying codes could be tale telling.

Have you approached a Toyota dealer technician ? They may have come across this issue already.
Is there much on the net ?? I haven't looked.

Changing the accelerator pedal assembly did fix my 2009 200 series only for a month or so, then the problem of it not changing up to 5th gear returned intermittently. No pattern to it. I gave up trying to fix it. Nobody had an answer including Toyota. I just got back from a 7 week caravan trip and had 5th gear for about a week in the middle but drove the last 4 weeks in 4th gear. That wasn’t a problem while towing - 90km/hr at 2300rpm with slightly better fuel economy - but a pain while not towing and wanting to go faster. They all say the gearbox is fine and it must be electrical. Now that it appears to be a permanent problem I should see if it can be diagnosed now but am reluctant to throw any more money at it. 

[Tony Prodigy]

On 9/4/2023 at 3:35 PM, Silver Fox said:

They all say the gearbox is fine and it must be electrical. Now that it appears to be a permanent problem I should see if it can be diagnosed now but am reluctant to throw any more money at it. 

I tend to agree that it could be electrical over mechanical. If it was mechanical, it would persist constantly despite the pedal assembly change.

These modern vehicles are totally hinged by complex electrical systems and it's like looking for a needle in the hay stack. However, in saying that, if you come across someone who knows where to look and what system to interrogate, I'm sure it can be sorted. Toyota techs aren't getting the education they need because Toyota and all the others are following the mantra of replace, replace, replace instead of fixing stuff. 

There's a guy on Youtube called Diagnosis Dan. That's the kind of guy you need. He has solved many complex electrical issues with modern cars, that even the dealers couldn't solve or made worse.

 Someone who understands how the system works and knows where to pin point the area of diagnosis. 
Just keep researching it. I'm sure there'll be some more info out there as the issue becomes more prevalent. I'd try and send Diagnosis Dan an email if that's possible. He may well be able to provide a starting point.

If I find out anything too, I'll let you know.

All the best 

[Paulwilla]

Anyone with any luck. I also have a 2010 Gxl that won't go past 4th and 5th and also cruise doesn't work. I've replaced the accelerator pedal. Also when I disconnect the battery and reconnect it, everything works fine for about 5 min and then cuts out. 

[Silver Fox]

The problem I had with my 2009 200 series with it not changing up to 5th or 6th gear ended up being an easy fix late last year. To go back to beginning - 8 months prior to the start of the problem, I had the intake manifold cleaned by a diesel performance company and they talked me into having an EGR blank plate installed and adjust the ECU accordingly, which I agreed to while I was there. Then 8 months later it started to intermittently not go past 4th gear. The company said this issue had nothing at all to do with what they had done with the EGR. The problem got worse over a period of 12 months and it became a permanent 4 speed gearbox. After taking the car to numerous other places without success I ended up back at the original company who had by then come up with a solution. They said it was basically in a type of limp mode, so they did a minor remap of the ECU of some sort and I think they turned off the EGR valve. Probably not legal but anyway. If I hadn't done the blank plate 2 years ago it would've saved me a lot of trouble. It's all good now though.

[Paulwilla]

On 2/25/2023 at 12:07 AM, Richard88 said:

Hi,

I have the same problem with my 2012 GX LC200. On solid and cannot clear, 1 to 4 th ok but no 5 or 6th. Cruise control not working also. Have not changed the accelerator pedal sensor yet as would expect an error code and check light if this was the problem and not getting either! Had the auto transmission checked today and valve body and actuators working fine so definitely external to the box, getting the rest checked Monday but running out of ideas. Hard to isolate without any error codes coming up. Any help would be appreciated.

cheers,

Richard. Gold Coast.

!

Hi Richard, I seem to have the same problem on my 2010 gxl. Did you find out what's wrong?

Paul

[Paulwilla]

On 2/22/2024 at 1:39 PM, Silver Fox said:

The problem I had with my 2009 200 series with it not changing up to 5th or 6th gear ended up being an easy fix late last year. To go back to beginning - 8 months prior to the start of the problem, I had the intake manifold cleaned by a diesel performance company and they talked me into having an EGR blank plate installed and adjust the ECU accordingly, which I agreed to while I was there. Then 8 months later it started to intermittently not go past 4th gear. The company said this issue had nothing at all to do with what they had done with the EGR. The problem got worse over a period of 12 months and it became a permanent 4 speed gearbox. After taking the car to numerous other places without success I ended up back at the original company who had by then come up with a solution. They said it was basically in a type of limp mode, so they did a minor remap of the ECU of some sort and I think they turned off the EGR valve. Probably not legal but anyway. If I hadn't done the blank plate 2 years ago it would've saved me a lot of trouble. It's all good now though.

Yeah ok thanks. So if I get it retuned that could possibly fix the problem?

[Silver Fox]

Hi Paul.  I suggest going to a diesel perfomance specialist. Toyota can't fix it - I went to three of them. Mechanics don't have the right gear. Auto electricians say it's electrical and suggest going to Toyota. It's not a gearbox problem - I tried all that. It ended up being in the ECU. The performance people did a 'remap' which cost about $500.00 which fixed it instantly. My car has never been chipped or tuned so it's about as standard as they come, but a remap? fixed my problem of no 5th/6th gear or cruise control and it's been perfect for a few months now. That's all I can suggest. Good luck.