Failing Torque Converter

Go to another dealer and have the trans flushed with the WS spec fluid that should be in the trans. I have it done every 30k for situations like this. If you hit up the 4r forum and look up 3rd gen 4r TC slipping or shudder you'll see a WS fluid flush clears it up pretty well. Assuming your TC isn't completely shelling out I think you'd be surprised. It's the only thing worth taking a Toyota to the dealer for service wise imo. I feel for you man, like others have said you can find a low mileage trans much cheaper than 5200....

 

Take it to independent transmission shop.... screw the dealer

 

Replace the torque converter, then trade the truck

 

mine started shuttering this past week, but it’s not consistent.

I just ordered 6qt of fluid and a new filter. Going to flush it the best I can. Hoping that clears it up.

I’ve been running the t-stat pinned for the last 2.5yrs; so heat had never been an issue. Unless the trans running at 145-150*F is a bad thing?

it all else fails, guess I’ll be putting my shitty third party warranty to the test.

 

Realistically what i would do

 

Why would you do this? You don’t think they designed the coolant system to keep the engine and transmission at the correct temperature? It just seems that if 150° was a better temp to run at and pinning open the thermostat was the easy solution, why wouldn’t they have just designed it that way? Makes you wonder if there’s something more to it than that.

 

otherwise it runs 195-205 constantly. Too hot for the trans IMO. That significantly cuts down on the life of the fluid.

I’ve never heard of a transmission failing because it ran too cool.

 

Call Toyota corporate. A lot of cars (especially Camry’s and ravs) are having issues with torque converter shudder. Coolant is getting into the transmission fluid. A new torque converter and a new transmission cooler puck would make the problem disappear, they have a warranty enhancement on the camrys and ravs. So if you call and complain there’s a good chance they’ll help you out

 

Flushes don't fix torque converter shudders on Toyota. We tried it many times, never works.

 

I’ve had it work sometimes. But the problem comes back in a matter of 10-20k miles.

 

Well, for me folks, as a guy whose on his 6th Tacoma and replaced my torque converter on my 2000 Tacoma, my mechanic always told me it was the fuel. You can not use regular gas. It does damaged to the cat. He always told me, so be so friggin cheap. Put super in the tank so I have been using super for the last 15 years in my trucks.

 

here is the TSB on the camrys. we replace the Torque converters and Reflash the ECU. Coolant contamination is tested with a tool and if its found the cooler needs to be replaced. (even though its on the customer dime, why i dont know)
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10146516-9999.pdf

 

Might (or might not) be relevant here. My 2007 FJ started shuddering right around the 60k warranty mark. It got pretty bad and it didn't matter which gear: Low load, moderate throttle, and ~1800 rpm would do it. Take it out of OD and no issues whatsoever. I think ultimately there was a TSB and replacements for others. Apparently it would get to where it didn't know whether to lock up or not and vacillated between the two at high frequency. I replaced all the fluids once and it seemed to get better for a bit. I stopped worrying about it somewhere around 100,000 miles. I then put another 90,000 miles on it. My subconscious brain and right foot just learned to give it a touch more gas (or less) whenever it started to shudder.

 

so once it starts, best to start looking for a new converter or a whole transmission then?

LKQ has them for ~$1300 but damn, they should last more than 100k miles. Thought Toyota’s were know for reliability

 

While heat is a major factor in fluid life, Toyota has designed their vehicles system to run certain temps, I use to stress out about how hot my truck was running with a trailer but after some research I just let it go and pay for a flush every 30k.

 

I’m gonna pull the pin I believe. Reserve that for trail days in the summer and towing. Although I haven’t seen any adverse effects until now, but I think the fluid is probably shot and needs to be flushed.

 

I know on the older Honda Accords this was kind of a big no. The converter will never lock up if the trans ECU doesn't see the correct temp.

 

Waiting to see what toyota says tomorrow morning. Still highly doubtful they offer to help out in anyway so I’m making an appointment with a local reputable transmission shop and hoping for something reasonable. I was prepared to spend about 3 grand if needed today at Toyota to have it fixed but when they quoted 8 for the trans and labor it blew me away. Hoping for the best tomorrow, I’m just ready to have my baby fixed

 

By cooler you mean the radiator? How else does coolant get into the ATF?