05 Tacoma hard shift 2nd to 3rd

Hi all,

as the title says, i have an 05 V6 TRD sport with a hard shifting 2-3rd gear. All other gears shift fine. I've flushed the fluid twice and the shift improved but it is definitely still there and a hard shift still. I am planning on dropping the pan and swapping out the filter but any advise would be helpful?

 

@gearcruncher will probably know what to check, meanwhile here's some reading material on your transmission.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...th-pics-for-second-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/

 

Considering your truck is a 2005 and not knowing the mileage , there could be a number of things causing a harsh 2 to 3 upshift .
Because your transmission is completely controlled , the first thing everyone here at Tacoma World will ask is if you have scanned the computer in your truck for any fault codes .
When the computer in your truck sees a problem with shifting , the computer will compensate by increasing pressure in the gear you are having issues with .
Before I popped the pan off , I would start by scanning for codes .
Did you flush the transmission in an attempt to fix the hard upshift into 3rd gear or were you doing routine maintenance ?
Mileage would help ?
Any service records ?

 

Hi Gearcruncher,

Truck mileage is at 150k, i took it to a shop near by and they scanned it with a snap on tool which reads all the codes and there was none for the transmission. I did the flush in an attempt to see if it improved shifting, there was an improvement but its still a very hard shift.

Truck has 0 mods and no service records.

 

Hey Raymond .

Alright , no transmission codes and no service records to tell us if the transmission has ever had the fluid replaced , so at this point with 150k on the odometer , we can assume there may be a problem inside the transmission valve body .
If you were to shift the transmission from low range with your foot lightly on the gas pedal and manually move the shifter into 3rd gear , does the transmission still have a hard shift into 3rd gear or does it only shift hard in automatic mode with the shifter in the overdrive range ?
Do you notice when the transmission downshifts from 4th to 3rd gear if the shift is hard as well ?
When you select reverse , is reverse also a bit aggressive ?
Sorry for all the questions , but your answers help me help you figure out whats going on

 

Let me go ahead and drive it and test that manual shifting out.

The truck does shift hard into reverse ass well, i find that if i press firmly on the breaks it is not as bad.

Also for WIW, it shifts smoother when its cold? Not sure how that makes sense

 

So manually shifted it, 2-3rd was indeed rough. When coming to a stop it it also shifts down rough. Not as bad as the upshift but you can definitely feel it when it shifts down into 2nd.

 

@gearcruncher do you think it could be an issue with a solenoid in the valve body?

 

Not yet , I forgot to ask your engine size ?

is your transmission a 4 speed auto or 5 speed . I didnt forget about you . Just busy dude

 

A shifting solenoid serves to actuate a valve within the valve body to shift. A prior poster is correct in saying that the computer could compensate by increasing pressure however I wouldn't want go there just yet.
Some of the very basics to understand. There different types of solenoids with some for up shifting, down shifting and others to control pressure. Some servos serve to cushion the shifting to not be so harsh.

Sometimes valves within the valve body will simply wear and cause harsh shifting ect..

The computer that controls the transmission needs certain inputs like...
1. Vehicle Speed VSS
2. Engine RPM Speed. ESS
3. Transmission input rpm speed TISS
4. Transmission output speed TOSS
5. Transmission Temp
6. Commanded gear
From these kinds of inputs the computer controls transmission govern pressure as related to vehicle speed and transmission line pressure as to how hard the transmission should shift. When the computer senses something wrong or amiss sometimes it will increase line pressure to the transmission and this in turn causes harder/stiffer shifting. This is done to protect the clutches. THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE YOUR CASE and the reason why I recommend a transmission service professional. Check for the ATRA logo within the transmission rebuild business. Good luck.

 

It is a 4.0 v6 pre-runner acces cab. I believe it has the 5 speed.

 

Thank you for the insight, it sounds like it could be something outside my scope? I just wanted to be sure i ruled out anything that could be done at home prior to shelling out money at a shop

 

I agree take it to an ARTA shop.