shifting issue??

hey there.

posting on behalf my mother. she's got a 2002 tacoma, 2.7l about 120k miles. engine runs fine but it's having an odd shifting issue. it's an automatic

seems to be stuck in high gear. no power off the line. doesn't downshift. when it's up to speed it's ok (feels normal at 65mph) but it when you let off the gas it doesn't coast like normal. kinda bucks a bit.

if you switch OD off it shifts normal, has normal power and cycles though the lower gears fine.

??

 

I highly suggest leaving the OD off & RUN , do not walk to the nearest competent trans shop for service (maybe too late) When A340/A340F start acting up it's not long before the grenade goes off, you don't want to know how much $$$$ it cost to rebuild...

 

that doesn't sound good. she's been driving it like this for almost a year. I only just found out about it that would be a transmission rebuild yes?

 

I'm amazedit's still together after a year & yeah, quotes of $3200.00 are common...

 

what do you think the issue is based on the symptoms? the more info I have when I go to the shop the better. she drives like the little old lady she is (slow slow slow) so maybe that has helped? she's down here in baja mexico as well I will try to find a recommended trans shop. maybe it won't be so tragic $$ wise as labor here is generally way less.

 

Generally it's a maintnance issue, with the A340F (which is 4x) & A340 (2x) they recommend a drain & fill/filter service every 30k-35k, I ignored mine , was driving down perfectly level road, got a couple hard upshifts & then nothing, just signed off...

 

ok I will take it somewhere tomorrow first thing. my mother is telling me she has the trans flushed and refilled 3 or 4 oil changes ago but that the issue remained. she's not very reliable with her observations though so grain of salt.

thanks so much for your help. really appreciate it.

 

Oh, so it DOES actually shift normally with OD off? The clutches and expensive guts including torque converter are OK then.

Something's tricked it into thinking OD should always be on and therefore, shifting to not be allowed with it engaged. I'll bet it's fairly simple. Bad sensor, bad trans solenoid etc.

Still, someone will have to be willing and able to diagnose it properly. So many shops these days (here at least ...) will indeed quote you the $3200 price but it's for a rebuilt trans of unknown quality or reputation, the "trans shop" is really just a "trans installer" usually nowadays. Don't get me started on that.

 

See this? https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/aisn-warner-340-series-transmissions-write-up.325531/

 

yes it shift fine with the OD off. moves though the lower gears fine. OD on and it's like starting off in 5th gear.

I've got lines out for a recommend on a trans shop here (we're down in southern baja). there is a toyota dealership about 90 minutes away in the capital city but so far I've heard from no less than 4 people who had horrible experiences with their service shop so I'll prob skip them.

 

sweet thanks for that link. lots of good info there I will dig into it. her truck is a 2002 2.7l automatic 2wd 4 door. nice truck and very useful with the back seat for the kids but that tiny little bed in the back is just annoying.

 

You think the expensive stuff is ok here..?? haha..

 

yikes

 

So you pulled down his pan and saw that? Remember, it can shift properly with the switch turned off.

 

no that was my trans a few years ago

 

found a nearby trans shop that comes highly recommended by a friend (who also has tacomas). going in on monday. will report back. cheers!