2002 RAV4 Clunks and Pauses in Gear

Posted for Dan.

So, this is a REALLY harsh scenario… well, it’s actually REAL, someone has done this to a great vehicle: 2002 Toyota Rav4 AWD Automatic… Cold, transmission, had no problems, warmed up, that’s when things changed.

Accelerating from a dead stop the transmission had not gone into the low gear (or 1st), upon entering the freeway it was still in that higher gear wanting to go…. but, not so fast. Getting up to 60mph the transmission, decided it would make a nice clunk as it was rethinking what gear it should be in….

Again back to a dead stop, now off the freeway, same thing, the higher gear, lower speed thing. More clunks and pauses in gear as I got it back to the dealer. (They had NO clue) The transmission fluid, brown to black-ish, not really a burnt smell, just not clean ;).

The big picture: 217,000 mi, transmission fluid or transmission, has NEVER been changed, nor worked on, from CarFax,… So this would be a transmission, that is A.) Toast B.) Needs TLC C.) Other? Thanks for your input! I’m very interested, because I might buy it. I just need some input as to how severe the issue could be, as local people have suddenly all fallen off of the earth at one time! Thx!!