Transmission Slipping after Dealer ATF Flush

This was going to be my million mile vehicle!

I'll never be doing it again. I thought about taking it to a local shop for the flush. In hindsight, I should've because it sounds like they would've told me not to do it!

 

I was debating getting the flush, i'm at 71K... might go drain and fill or not at all. Oh the horrors

 

Reading this thread from the start. I don't think this is the dealers fault if dealer followed proper ATF service procedures. Something tells me though both dealer and Toyota will make this right.
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When I first joined TW I started reading about ATF change interval. Dealers said it is a lifetime fluid and never needs to be changed. A year later they started to way ATF needs to be changed at 100K miles. At the same time I called Toyota and asked them and they said follow what your dealers recommend.
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Wish Toyota would just bring back the ATF dipstick. Seems not even the dealer can get this right.

 

Something a little strange going on here .
Dealer hands him an invoice for a new transmission ?
Do we know if the fluid level has been double checked for proper fill ?
Do we know if the transmission pan and filter were removed ? The proper way to do a flush
Do we know what the Techstream says when the transmission slips ? and what the clutch volume index indicates ?
This is the reason I will never recommend a flush or a pan drop type service from the dealer . Dealers dont fix transmissions , they simply remove and replace .
A reputable transmission shop is where I recommend people service their transmissions

 

I've softened my view on the dealer since this morning. The service adviser said they were told to flush the transmission every 100k. The dealership in Lubbock did not include an ATF flush in the 100k service so I assume they were given different information. The maintenance guide on Toyota's website says to "replace" the fluid (assuming drain and fill) at 60k if you tow regularly. The Street Toyota in Amarillo said they would never flush the ATF in a truck with 128k.

Toyota of Fort Worth has me in a rental until things get worked out with corporate. I don't think they had to do that and it seems like the service adviser is trying to make things right. I'm still very upset that recommended maintenance ruined my transmission, but it sounds like they have not been given clear direction.

I've made a habit of taking my truck to the dealership for most under the hood maintenance (spark plugs, air filter and oil excluded). After this I might DIY all maintenance and just follow TW recommendations.

 

TW recommendations FTMFW!

 

I'm with you. I'm at 64k and have been having the internal debate myself. I bought my truck used and am the 3rd owner so there is no way to know if it was used to tow by the first owner or not. Whatever decision I finally make will be bound to be the wrong one.

 

I got a call back from corporate. They worked a deal out with the dealership. I'd still be on the hook for part of the replacement. It's a price I'd be happy about if I was in the market for a new transmission prior to them servicing it, but it's still much more than I was planning on spending. I may not have a choice, but it still feels like a sour deal to me.

Fluid level has been checked, they actually redid the whole service and checked a second time. When I had the service adviser describe the process to me it did not sound like they dropped the pan at all. I think they just hooked it up to the machine.

To my knowledge they have not used techstream during the test drives. It's a pretty significant slip (brings back memories of my old Bronco). It sounds like they are only willing to replace the transmission.

Just got off the phone with corporate, so I'm going to make sure all bases have been covered before I accept any offers.

 

These are the machines that we use. The main 2 hoses are quick-connect which are the same size. Then there are the specific adapters ...

 

I am surprised the dealership isn't farming this job out to a trans shop . If your trans was serviced without dropping the pan , there is a good possibility of stirring up debris from the bottom of the pan and forcing it through the valve body . A stuck spool valve or a plugged solenoid are the most likely cause . An easy fix but at least 4 hours of labor .
The trick to flushing transmissions is flushing with the transmission pan removed
Did the technician test drive the truck before the transmission was serviced to verify proper operation ?
If this happened to you in my shop , it wouldn't be costing you a penny

 

My dealer recommend that I NOT CHANGE OUT OR FLUSH THE TRNSMISSION FLUID......

 

This sounds right, lots of debris after 100+ K. Dealerships don't troubleshoot usually, rather drop out old and replace with new parts.

I am doing a simple ~3 quart drain/fill.

 

Doesn't matter what the O.P had done too his truck at a Toyota Dealership ,they should know how too service there own damn vehicles.

 

Drain and refill with only 3.2 Qts/ 3 Qts 6 ozs.! Never will do a Full Toyota Flush again ,same thing happened to me 3 years ago. This will work,and use Proper ATF fluid ,my 2013 is WS and I use all AMSOIL WS ! I do a drain and fill every 25,000 miles !Never a problem after I did a drain and fill past 3 Services!Try it,cheaper than a blown tranny and screwover at Stealerships!

 

Go to AMMCO or any Real Tranny specialist shop,they know better and much more than Stealerships!

 

Hope things work out. I use these guys. They only work on Toyota and Lexus. They shoot me straight and will check things out for cheap or no charge. First class service and they know their stuff. Located off I20 in Benbrook (not far at all from Toyota of Fort Worth).

http://www.prattauto.com/

 

Pratt brothers are THE BEST !!! They service my '09 TRD (what I don't do) and the wife's RX Lexus, I can't tell you how many times we've been comped for OBD check's, bulbs and such.

 

I agree, those places work on all types of trannys all day every day.

Whereas, at a dealer there's a good chance the tech that works on yours has no or very little experience other than what he read in the manual. Plus, you'll pay out the ass for their service and get the runaround when they screw up.

 

On our old Tacoma ('98 that my wife totaled twice) the engine was throwing a code but it kept going off. Took it to them on the recommendation of a buddy. They said it was the pedal-throttle sensor and they would need to order the part. Left it overnight and get a call the next day. They unplugged and replugged the sensor to move it and it worked. I guess it had come loose or had some dirt in there. Didn't charge me at all. Could have easily just replaced it and not said anything.

Took my current Tacoma in to get service done. They said it didn't need an oil change yet. Got back home, checked manual and turns out it did. Scheduled me for the next morning, changed the oil and didn't charge me because "we should have done it right the first time."

Very good people.

 

You need 4 things to service your 2nd Gen - A750x transmission.

- Common Sense
- Paper Clip
- Thread on checking fill level
- Thread on doing flush

We could talk all day long about pan drain vs. flush and that has been discussed here many times.

Bottom line - whichever you choose - do it yourself.