03 dies when put into gear: FIXED

I have an 03 3.4 automatic. Today when my wife was turning into our drive she said it started "shaking". She said she turned it off after she parked.

I went to check it out and it starts normally but as soon as I put it in either reverse or drive it immediately dies. It restarts a little harder than normal, like slightly flooded, but fine.

I've tried setting parking brake and not using the service brakes, shifted t-case into low, shifting straight into manual 1 all with same results. With it in low range it did "lurch" before dying.

I shifted the t-case into neutral and then shifted trans into gear, it didn't die.

I'm fairly confident is a torque converter clutch lockup issue. The truck has 265,000 miles and don't think the fluid has ever been changed. It is slightly brown but can still see through it and no noticeable metal specks.

Has anyone had this issue, any suggestions for diagnostics? I don't have easy access to a scanner and it's not going anywhere on it's own. As near as I can tell and from what I've been able to find the TCC solenoid is internal or I would start with changing it out.

Thanks for reading all of this and in advance for any help/information.

 

Maybe check the brake booster to see if it has a vacuum leak? You have step on the brake to put it in gear. The Diaphragm might be bad in the brake booster Start the truck and listen under the dash by the brake pedal. If you hear a hissing noise the booster is leaking.

 

I checked that by setting the park brake, putting it in neutral, start engine and put into gear without using the service brakes at all. It didn't change the results at all.

From what I've found it looks like some have replaced the ECM, the solenoids or the torque converter. I feel it's less likely to be the TC as I would expect severely burnt fluid with a TC failure. I don't have much Toyota experience so was just hoping to hear from someone that has dealt with this issue before.

 

Does it hesitate when you rev it in neutral or park?

As for the scanner. You can get them for cheap. I have a blue tooth one I got off Amazon for like $20, and it connects to your phone with a free app (Torque - the Pro version is like $5).

for Android Phones ONLY - Wireless Bluetooth Diagnostic OBD2 Scanner Car Code Reader and Scan Tool for All 1996 & Newer Vehicles ELM327 Compatible OBDII

https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Product...797376&s=gateway&sprefix=obdii,aps,215&sr=8-4

 

I had no idea they had something like that. I will be getting one soon.

As for now, I'm going to check with AutoZone for the loan a tool program on my way home tonight.

I don't recall any hesitation when revving in neutral/park, but I will double check that when I get home.

 

No working scanner yet, if it's not one thing it's another...

Confirmed, no hesitation when rev the engine in park or neutral.

 

Maybe something with the AIC valve? If you're good in park I think that would make sense because rpm usually changes when you shift into drive and reverse and the air and fuel mixture with it.

Not a mechanic, just thinking out loud. Those things can get carbon buildup so when the air fuel mixture needs to change when going into gear, it hesitates and dies.

Spark, timing and compression should be fine. Issues there would keep the truck from starting I believe. That leaves fuel and air.

Hope you figure it out.

 

Torque converter lockup isn't unlocking. It stalls because it's now acting exactly like a manual transmission would if you didn't have a working clutch and tried to ram the transmission into gear with the engine running. Instant stall.

The engine shuddering your wife mentioned to you is a VG indication.

Now you need to find out if it's an electrical issue or a mechanical issue causing the problem.

 

For a lack of simple diagnostics with what I have currently available I opted to order the solenoids and try replacing them. I should have them by Friday. Fingers crossed it fixes it and hopefully don't find a bunch of junk in the pan. Plan to drop the pan tomorrow so I'm ready once they arrive and may get lucky and they arrive tomorrow.

 

Hopefully that works out! Would suggest cleaning the magnets before reinstall. Also recommend Valvoline Max Life Synthetic ATF for replacement (replacement for type-4). I would also recommend changing out the filter while you are in there. Pays to only have to go in once. The factory sealant on the pan is pretty stout also and can take some work to get off. I used Timmah's video recommendation and cleaned mine up with a Dremel to get the old stuff off the pan. Used steel wool and brake cleaner for the trans side mounting surface.

Looking forward to seeing if that resolves your issue. Good luck!

Here is a link to the video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuGazNhuEtM&t=1526s

Part number for the filter if you wanted to snag one -

$24 35330-60030 Automatic Transmission Filter Strainer Fit For Fit For Toyota Tacoma Lexus 3533060030

35330-60030 (called a strainer)

 

I used the AUTEX kit from Amazon. It included all 3 solenoid, filter and gasket. I also got the scan tool Jbrandt suggested.

It was a fairly easy repair and I've got about 20 miles on it so far with no issues yet.

I did replace all 3 solenoids and once finished I used just over 7qts of the Valvoline max life atf.

Thank you to all who responded.

ps, it can't be hard but I couldn't figure out how to put a simple link to the Amazon kit in here

 

Wow that is awesome! Glad you got it sorted. Hopefully many more trouble free miles ahead

 

just copy and paste the link into the text box as if you're typing normally.

Glad it's worked for you so far! I love this forum!

 

Hey @KOATacoma, how is the tranny holding up? My 02 double cab just started having this same issue, @ 307k, and last summer when changing the tranny fluid there were large chunks of metal and sludge.