TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - HELP PLEASE!

(2003 Tacoma double cab 3.4l auto trans 130k) So the other day I drained my tranny fluid and took my car (while truck was sitting in garage) to store to get more fluid. While I was gone my GF took my truck down the road to drop mail off in outgoing postal box (about a mile away). When I came home I freaked out of course but my fault for not saying anything. She said "yeah it drove really crappy and clunky." Anyways- now I have refilled it with (valvoline high mileage/max life tanny fluid) It seems to drive less responsively and slightly slugish. In addition it sometimes will not be engaged in gear from a stop sign and will rev then SLAM into gear. My first instict was to switch back to a less viscous tanny fluid/ toyota type5. But before I spend any more money I want to know possabilities of problem. Valves/solenoids in tranny sticking? I dont know please help!

 

PS- IF YOU REALLY REALLY FEEL QUALIFIED TO HELP ME PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PM ME.

 

very true
did you compare how much came out to how much went back in? and from what I understand toyota is kinda picky about what auto fluid it uses yota fluid is pricey but may be worth it
it could also be you are looking for faults

 

its done. the tranny is toast. its just a matter of time before it shits itself IMO.

 

^^^ what he said..........dump the chic too!

 

Sounds like its TOAST!

 

I would be surprised if the trans was toast. I've seen many transmissions come with low to no fluid (on the dipstick) and put fluid in them and they were fine. I think it just needs time to work the fluid into it's system. Don't forget even after you drain an auto trans, there's still 1/3 of the fluid in the torque converter. Knowing how an auto trans works, it seems the problem is that the fluid hadn't worked its way in enough to engage the bands fully right away (causing that jerking motion). As previously said, I would watch the fluid level. Once it starts working it's way into the trans, you'll need to add more. Good luck.

 

wow

sweet jesus that is really something

 

^ My 98 4Runner w/ the 3.4 auto (i'm guessing the same trans) did the same thing after I had the transmission fluid changed. (A friend of the familiy changed it) Everytime I would go to a stop sign and try to accelerate it would slip then slam into drive. But it didn't do it for about 150 miles afterward. I drove it for about 3-5k like that before I had Toyota change the fluid (I know not the smartest but I didn't have the money to have anyone else check it). After Toyota changed the fluid it never did it again, they told me it was low on trans fluid. I put over 60k on it and never had an issue. I sold it with over 140k.

 

Thanks guys your great! And its awesome to have such promt replies. So I would too agree that my tranny is NOT TOAST- and that totally makes sense with having air in system and needing to work its way back into the system. I will go pick up genuine Toyota fluid this week and redrain and refill and get back to all of you on how it turns out "Im remaining optomistic" I cant really understand how it would be toast, I dont think these are the symptoms you would see if my GF burned something up inside the tranny or really did some damage so those of you who think its TOAST- I HOPE YOU ARE NOT RIGHT!!! lol Thanks guys- Ill post back in a couple days or a week or so.

 

true. but fluid was drained. no plug reinstalled. wife drove it, guarantee all the residual fluid in lines all came out. trans was drying up. sticky clutch packs, tq converter not good. valve body no fluid circulation = bad situation IMO

 

When you drain it and refill again, start it up and run it through the gears a couple times, keep checking it till it's full.

 

I was assuming he finished draining and put the plug back in before leaving to get fluid. It doesn't specify. If the plug was left out then yea I would agree the the fluid went pouring out. Hopefully it's not toast.

 

The plug was in when she drove it and problems do seem to be slowly dissapating since i refilled the tranny, the slamming into gear was only happening a few times a day- Im still going to drain and refill ill keep you guys updated. Thanks

 

I really don't think you have anything to worry about. My sister came to me the other day complaining her '99 Mustang was acting wierd. I checked the dipstick it wasn't registering any trans fluid. When I asked her how long it was doing that she said a month or so. I filled it, drove it, added more, drove it, and added more and now it's fine. Key is just keep checking the fluid level. As it gets through the valve train and into the servos and what not, the amount of reserve fluid in the pan is going to get low.

 

Dude shes gotta go!