Torque converter shutter.

Anyone experienced it? Symptoms? Looking for input from people that have troubleshooted it. Could it be something else I am overlooking? Around 40mph in 5th and the Rpm’s low, right before it should downshift I get this shuttering/clunking. If I switch the shutter to 4 it won’t do it. Only in normal drive. Also sometimes when sitting in reverse while waiting to back up, or when I’m drive at a stop light I get this weird thing going on. Almost like a hiccup (not sure how to describe). I brought my truck to a transmission specialist with what I thought were torque converter issues. They found a bad coil pack and said that was the issue. While it did solve a sputtering issue I was trying to diagnose it didn’t do anything for the shuttering. My truck behaved for them (it was a warm day). Today it’s cold again and the shutter was there. Am I out of line to ask someone from the shop to ride with me so I can replicate the shutter for them? I am getting frustrated. This began in October. Beginning of December trans fluid was flushed by my normal mechanic I’ve been using for years. Mechanic said fluid was past the drain and fill point. The shuttering remained, I called and they said to wait about 3k miles to see if it stops. Im about at that mileage and it’s still there. Truck only has 103k on it. With the last 8k miles put on by me. Someone talk me off the ledge.

 

You're not out of line, I hear of people taking Toyota techs for rides all the time. You might be billed for their time though. You could try one of those fluids that stop the shudder and see if it goes away. Though personally I am not a big fan of that, I would consider it for a test and then get a flush and the torque converter done if it stopped the shudder. Just my thoughts.

 

try the Dr Tanny Lubegard. put it in one of my work trucks (F350) and it did take a few hundred miles (or maybe almost 1K) but eventually fixed it. from what i read up on it was narrowed down to sticking valves in the tranny around certain shift points. the valve had a hard time opening or closing and creates a shudder. it is truly worth a try before thought of a rebuild. that transmission is still good today about 30k later

i pushed the limits of my tacoma (4.0 auto) with a 5k lbs enclosed trailer for about 60k-70k miles while i was starting a business and it was not easy on the transmission. i now have 130k on the truck and i have zero tranny issues so i have a hard time believing you need a rebuild this early in its life

 

My mechanic that flushed it mentioned an additive would be the next step if no improvement. So maybe I’ll give this a whirl. You just add to the trans? Or drain out little bit of fluid and add the additive?

 

Mine does it. It’s referred to as the Tacoma rumble. Isn’t gonna go away with a flush, been there done that. I put 2 new driveshafts in thinking that was it. Nope. It’s gotta be the torque converter or a bushing within the trans.

 

Do you experience what seems like a skip when at stop signs or in reverse but stopped? Trying to figure out if the two issues are related.

 

its been a few years so i would have to read the bottle again but whatever it says on there

 

Alot of info about it and the 5 spd transmission in general here.

 

like the truck kinda jumps when stopped? Yes. I don’t think it’s related tho. The jumping forward at top signs is more like the throttle position needing to be relearned which can only be done by a Toyota dealer unless you have a fancy scan tool

 

I think it's called the Tacoma lurch or something. Mine does it too. No shudder though.

 

you ain’t shitting....unfortunately my skill set will be my downfall as I do not trust myself. I will leave this up to the professionals.

 

I wouldn’t say it jumps or lurches. When watching the rpms when it happens it drops from idle maybe 100 rpms and then back to normal almost instantly.

 

That’s normal for the 2nd gens.

 

Have the same thing, truck at 29k miles

 

ok, good to know. Coming up on a year of ownership and still figuring things out.

 

Drain AT pan , then add 3 qts and 6.5 ozs ATF WS Tranny oil, Then add Dr Tanny Additive. Done! Tranny is low on ATF Fluid, Been there Done this, Problem gone Guarenteed !

 

You are Low on ATF Fluid,Drain and refill with 3 qts and 6.5 ozs ATF !

 

like another said, it's not wrong to ask to take their mechanic or lead to go on a ride along. then you can reproduce it based on your driving. i had to do that with my wife's malibu because their "smart" transmission mapping left her with no torque in take off. they reset it.

 

I think I actually have a positive update. The truck started misfiring again. I bought 6 denso coil packs and 6 denso plugs. Replaced them last night. Drove all over today and no more misfiring and on a surprising note the shuddering is gone. I tried my hardest to replicate it and nothing.

 

I have the shudder. The dealer changed the transmission fluid and included an additive. They swore they see this problem all the time and it fixes it. However, it didn't work for me. Mine still shudders. I bought my taco brand new and babied it. Never towed anything never been on a dirt road or nothing. 95k miles. I also have the tow package with the transmission cooler. I changed the front/rear differential fluid and trans case fluid as well. Spent over $900. broke me.