3rd gen torque converter shudder

i agree. and i have repeated this experiment many times. it goes away with higher octane gas and comes back when i refuel with 87. also does it a bit even with 89.

 

See if you can get some custom tunes with increased throttle limits and adjusted tc locking for your ECU.
If it does not help, I would go to Toyota and start a warranty process.

 

Will try this out... currently waiting at another dealership for a road test with service manager

 

doubt this is a warranty issue

 

I also kept an eye on the RPM gauge when moving through the rpm's for 45-50mph. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. Rpm's did not 'Rev up'.

 

If you have an ultra gauge or something and are used to keeping an eye on it, it becomes obvious when the TC locks. It will only lock in 4th gear and above at a certain speed and RPM. 40-50 mph sounds about right.

If it shudders when locked, it’s probably because the engine is running rough and you now feel it because the engine and the rest of the drivetrain are now mechanically locked together. The misfire is probably present at other times but there is a fluid hydraulic connection between the engine and tranny that softens things up.

Just my thoughts.

 

So what about shudder at higher speeds as well???

 

Probably locked and the engine is misfiring. Put in some 91 octane, disconnect the battery and reconnect. Then take her for a good long highway rip.

 

Dont misfires make the check engine light go on?

 

Have them hook up techstream and reset Tranny learning values or do it yourself via vF or Techstream.
See if you get the issue disappeared for now. It will drive weird for 200 miles though.

 

Has been done twice now. Once at dealership at 4,200 mi and again on saturday after ovtune was installed. Have driven more than 200 mi since then. No changes

 

Best of luck to you. It would suck if you pressed the issue and the dealership tore your truck apart and replaced the tranny if the solution was 10 cents per gallon more expensive gas.

 

Ok... so i guess that is a no to my question

 

No. Not necessarily anyways.

 

Truck shudders well around 2000 RPMs as well

 

Thank you

 

Maybe, but my truck has 60k on it and still has quirks. It's fully mine and I've had it for over 4 years now so remorse has never been the issue and it certainly isn't now. I'm at the "dread the idea of having a car payment" stage of ownership.

Honestly, I've never met anyone in person that had anything bad to say either. But I do tell people if they ask me if I have had any issues that I've had to have all 4 door sills repainted due to rust, A leaky rear end, a howling rear end, a low octane miss and knock, multiple Tranny and an ECU TSB's, and some other stuff (frame recall has yet to be done). It happens some times.

It's still better than my FJ was though, and a far cry from the quality that my wifes wrecked rav4 is.

 

Honestly, I'd just flash the 93 tune and spend a few "extra" bucks and see what happens. If it goes away, great. If not, you can eliminate it and move on to the next suspect.

I'd suspect you have some other issue since you are tuned and still have the issue. I believe you can log your engine data and send it to Mat and he can check it or tweak your tune to your truck.

 

While were on door sills, maybe you know the answer. My black coating on the door sills all peeled and cracked apart on my 2001 tundra exposing the chrome underneath. Am i expected to have the same issue with the new tacoma? I didn't ask the dealer.

 

No idea, sorry.