Tranny issues? Possibly slipping...

I just had the 130k mile service done on my Tacoma at the dealership and now its running like total garbage. My tranny is shifting horribly...almost feels like its slipping and feels way under-powered. It feels like it is struggling every time I accelerate and doesn't want to give any power even just accelerating normally from a light. Also, when I get close to 80 my whole truck starts shaking (I just had my tires rotated and balance and had all the weights checked so that isn't the issue) and I am getting insanely bad gas mileage now because it feels like my truck is always struggling for power. I debating getting rid of it at this point for a new one but I LOVE my truck and would love to keep it...even more so that I just made my last payment! Idk if i should take it back to the dealership or have another shop take a look at it. I didn't have the best experience at the dealership since I walk in and they assume "oh shes just a girl she doesn't know anything" and tried to jerk me around. I've worked on a lot of trucks and UTV's but havent really messed around with a Taco yet so ANY HELP anyone could give me would be amazing...would love nothing more than to keep my truck...and dump my car payment money into finally prerunnin it! If anyone has any recommendations or what to do or a shop to take it to I would really appreciate it!!

 

Thanks so much for the reply. I'll check the fluid today; they did a flush the tranny in the service.

 

Sounds like this is more of an engine problem. If you floor it and when the trans changes gears (in D) does it hit the rev limiter? if so that is a classic case of a blown clutch and shows when it slips. Does it whine or make weird noises? FYI I had my trans flushed at 90,000 and holds fine if not better. What about the engine? did you do anything recently?

 

Sounds like it wasn't filled correctly. I had mine done and the tranny slipped and revved really high and lacked power exactly as you're describing. I got it taken back and done correctly. Never an issue after that. (I also stopped attempting my oil changes through the transmission as well.)

 

The service I paid a ton for said tranny flush so I can only assume that's what was done. My truck has always been well maintained and the tranny has been drained and refilled before. The flush was just what was done in the big service. And It was done at the dealership so idk what they did before they serviced it...this is why I hate not knowin how to work on my truck myself, have a very hard time trusting dealerships.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone! As much as I don't want to take it back there think ill be makin a trip to the dealership to chew someone's ass and make them fix my truck!

 

I see a hint or two as to why, but you ned to take this back to the dealer and have them look into it. If it's running ok prior, and drives out driving like sh%^, then they need to pony up and fix it.

How long has it been since they worked on it? As for what it is, already been touched on by others, but the fluid level should be checked first, then if that's not it, it might be the flush actually gumming up the tranny by blowing back dirt, grime, sediment, etc. back into the valve body and/or clutches.

Edit: whoops, you posted while I was composing (composting...) my response...

 

Pretty sure that'd throw a CEL wouldn't it?

 

Maybe the pulled the wrong plug and flushed the engine instead?

 

Not bad for 4 hours sleep a transfer and a partial code last night!

Oh good god. That'd be even dumber than what I did. Specially since I'm not a same brand dealership.

 

I'll be honest it's been a few weeks since I had it done, I've just been stupid busy and was supposed to have a friend take a look at it but he kept flakin out. So as of now noone has touched it other than the dealership. Ok so worst case scenario and the flush did gummy up the tranny...how bad am I lookin here?

 

Bahaha...Sunday's are pretty bad too! thanks for at least givin me a laugh in this whole scenario! I know it's prob pretty bad...just tryin to avoid that conclusion... Anyone know how much a tranny costs for a Taco?

 

Depends , how's that for non-commital? If it's the valve body that's gummed up, it could be removed, cleaned out and replace without a huge cost (relative huge anyway). If it goes beyond that I would think you'd be into disassembling and cleaning the clutch packs and assorted valving/passages. That would be a huge cost, might be time to consider a re-built/re-man'd tranny at that point.

This is worst case though, in my mind anyway. I'd still bet that the fluid level is low considering that you've said that you keep up with the maint. and that drain and fills have been done on schedule in the past.

 

Thanks for the advice. I'm def hoping for not worse case scenario but with stuff like this always have to keep it realistic. Would you recommend taking it to the same dealer or another to have it checked out?

 

You're definitely on the right track. An educated buyer is a salesman's worst nightmare . That way you BUY what you need, and are not SOLD something you're not. I understand where you're at as everytime my wife goes into a dealer/mechanic I swear that there is a neon SUCKER sign flashing on her forehead. They go after her like sharks and I then get to unravel it.

Personally I would take it back to the offending dealer/mechanic and make them make it right on their $$$, but that's your call. A fluid level check should be able to be done at most shops, but you'll have to pay again, and you also need to ensure that they know how to check the fluid level on your Tacoma since it's not just a dipstick check.

 

I think you are definitely right! My truck ran amazing before I took it in for this service so I definitely think they owe me an explanatio...or I owe them a not very "lady-like" word or two from my mouth. They used to be an awesome dealership service wise...it's even where I bought my truck from but they got a new service manager who is a total prick. I'm gonna take it this weekend and hopefully have some luck...or at least at outcome I can work with.

 

I def know where your comin from with what your wife has to deal with...I get it everytime! I'm definitely takin it back go the same dealership and makin them explain themselves and fix it. Thanks so all of your advice!