Poll: Transmission Software TSB (longer term) Feedback

Mostly 3-4 only on a rare occasion did I get a 2-3 flare.

 

Bob, I think you have one of the bad transmissions. I would call 800-331-4331 and register a complaint. I think Toyota will fix the problem if you are persistent.

 

All. I dropped the truck off at the dealer again so they can try to capture the shift flairing problem. The truck flailed 3-4 in every shifting mode (normal, ECT, and sport) when the motor is cold. Now, with about 450 miles on the truck, I am getting slight (100 rpm) flails on my 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 shifts when the transmission is at normal operating temperature. I am wondering if I have a defective transmission. Anyone else getting these symptoms when the car is warmed up?

 

So do you think the line pressure leak down is detrimental to the transmission or just an annoyance until it reaches operating temp, seals and results in the symptom to clear up?

As of yet I've still not seen the condition in my truck and it's been 800 miles since the TSB, almost 8k miles total. Transmission fluid was checked manually before the truck was driven off the lot with 4 miles on the odmeter.

TSB was done to correct the R-D delay as I'd had no other hang shifts or surges.

 

Hi JS. I think the improperly calibrated pressure, in many cases , is detrimental in the long run. Here's the issue: my transmission is flairing shifts... the worst is 3-4 in the morning. The flair will accelerate clutch wear and contaminate the fluid faster. An interesting thing... mine is getting worse (1100 rpm violent flair from 3-4), and now I am witnessing sporadic 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 flairs (about 100 rpm flair) at normal operating temperature. I am beginning to think I have a bad transmission. The car is with the dealer now. They will try to record the issues with Techstream. I should hear back Thursday, as they will test it for a few days. So far, I think the Service manager is doing a thorough job.

 

Did you ever get the TSB accomplished?

 

Yes, last time the car was at the dealer, and my fluid was manually checked and filled. I was .5 qt low. I have the towing package. Any thoughts?

 

Does it also do it in S4 so you only let the truck select those four gears, the problematic shifts?

 

Yes, the flair happens whether in normal, ECT, or S4.

 

I would like to tell Toyota to take this thing back and give me a manual; refunding the difference in invoice cost. I am not, at all, a happy customer. This transmission insults Toyoda's legacy.

 

Sorry, what do you mean by flair?

 

That includes the current flair, between all the gears at operating temp?

I'd be curious if they could do a full reset of the transmission with tech stream and redo the flash to see if the symptom repeats. Software is generally easy to redo but if the symtom remains after then yes, back to looking at the hardware / transmission internals.

 

Breyer, flair is when the engine revs up between up shifts in an automatic transmission.

 

I think your most likely option is an offer to replace the transmission if it repeats after the reflash, if they bother to do it.

 

Yes JS, the flairs happen in all shifting modes; hot and cold... with the biggest violation being 3-4 when cold. I agree, it would be interesting to see what the software mitigation can do. I was hoping this was not a hardware problem, but it doesn't look good so far. I see my issues are a lot more pronounced than others that had the TSB performed.

 

I will let Toyota try and properly fix the truck for a REASONABLE amount of time. At some point I will have had enough though. I am personally involved with global manufacturing (ie your power tools from Home Depot) and I know it is absolutely unacceptable to release a product that fails to meet specification, even if cost and delivery are favorable to the product development side. Toyota should be assuring my total satisfaction at this point. This is exactly what I would have to do if I was the responsible party, even if I had to eat some loss myself.

 

Let us know how it turns out. I know they've replaced at least one transmission already to a member here. I don't remember if the replacement transmission had further issues or if the owner kept the truck.

 

Will do JS.

 

Thanks! I have noticed that before but I figured it was just the computer telling the engine to rev a bit higher to maintain power on very slight grades. I only experience it those kinds of situations in the 5th gear. I recall my 2011 did that too sometimes. I don't have the TSB done on my 16.

 

Beyer, try a 25% throttle from 0-40 mph, with the motor dead cold. See if you get any shift flair. If so, call Toyota customer service, and get it documented. This could save your hide later.