Is my transmission toast?

2017 TRD pro, 120k miles. It has started having a little shudder at low speed and light acceleration. It doesn’t happen all the time. I tried S mode and I seems to happen a little less. After reading some other threads my plan is a tune up to eliminate possible combustion issues and 3gal of valvoline maxlife for a few drain and fills.
I have never changed the spark plugs or transmission fluid…. Anyone else dealing with this?

 

A few members have had torque converter shuddering. There are a few threads in this forum.

 

Torque converter is toast . Would have been nice if AT fluid was changed at 60t miles . A good video on when to change and how. . It maybe too late for you though. https://youtu.be/NUAuGmDGntY

 

Just 1 drain and fill, maybe a 2nd. Totally clean fluid at this point....bad. Does sound a bit like a torque converter. But it could be the turbo encabulator creating issues at the Cardinal Grammeter. That's a pretty expensive fix.

 

Oh noes not the grammeter

 

Low trans fluid was a common issue from the factory with the early 3rd gens. Not sure if you ever had it checked? Since you are overdue for plugs and trans service I'd start there. With that many miles an injector and maf cleaning sure couldn't hurt.

 

Thanks, that is basically where I am heading.
Hoping to hear from someone who had this issue and their resolution. I priced a transmission service 50k ago and the dealership quoted $500ish, so…. Nope. I just never got around to the drain and fill. I know gearcruncher likes lubeguard so I may toss in some snake oil as a Hail Mary.

 

Plugs were due 60k ago lol... Honestly though I changed mine about then and they were fine. Yours are probably due. I doubt that is your problem though.

 

Oh dear...
If it's cooked, that $500 is gonna look pretty insignificant compared to the new reality of a refurbished.

Hopefully that's not the case.

 

Ditto. My '06 TRD OR had 127K when I sold it.

 

Even if you didn't take the $500 from the dealer, you should've done it somewhere else many miles ago. Your best bet now is to just change the fluids now and also the plugs and go from there. I wish you the best and I learned from owning my first car, neglect is not the thing you want to do, even if it's Japanese.

Let us know and I'm crossing my fingers and wishing the best.

 

I mean, how and why? This is why I fear buying used from someone. lol

 

Our jeep felt like it was lacking power and the "transmission slipping" feeling. Turns out it was the spark plugs going bad and misfiring causing the split second shudder when accelerating. Definitely recommend replacing the plugs!

 

Lubeguard is not a snake oil LOL . Its proven and used by every transmission shop in North America as well as many dealerships .
Grab a 10 ounce bottle of Platinum and throw it in there but this must me done at the same time your fluid is replaced . You cant expect the stuff to work with old transmission fluid with spent reagents . Lubeguard is designed to deglaze your converter clutch . Its something regular transmission fluid simply cant do .
The engineers at Toyota designed your torque converter to partially apply at slow speeds . This places extreme loads on your converter clutch in an effort to save fuel . Just a short drive to the grocery store , your converter clutch comes on and off 1000 times like a guy slipping the clutch in a manual transmission . I beleive there are aftermarket tunes available to eliminate this .
I highly suggest researching aftermarket tunes here at Tacoma World if you plan to keep your truck .

As mentioned above , spark plugs and tune up .
A rough running engine creates converter clutch symptoms . There is nothing wrong with the converter clutch but because the converter clutch locks directly to your rough running engine , you think the converter clutch is shuddering because you really feel it in the drivers seat . This can be diagnosed very easy

then transmission pan drop for contamination inspection , clean the magnets , cut the old filter open .
Do the transmission service correctly !!!!!
And Toyota says these transmissions never need servicing? what a crock of crap
No flushing until you verify the pan is clean.
Do you plan to gravity drain the converter and cooling system ?
And yes , low transmission fluid from factory is still a huge issue in the 2021 Tacomas.
Get ready for a storm of transmission problems including the torque converter with the 3rd gen.
It is crucial that these transmissions are filled properly from the factory as well as when they are serviced and we are not seeing this happen .
Proven here in the last few pages of the link
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...be-low-on-fluid-directly-from-factory.405642/

Have you scanned your computer for codes ?
Have you greased your universal joints at every engine oil change ?
Have you taken a drive by a transmission shop for a professional opinion ? those guys test drive for free and can often diagnose the problem rite then and there
Have you checked on line for technical service bulletins using your vin number ? There are many that relate to your symptoms
You cant purchase a rebuild kit for the AC60 series transmission rite now . There are none on the shelves .Members are smoking their transmissions faster than Trans tec can make the seal kits
A Toyota remanufactured goes for $5800
Second hand are still hard to get

 

TSBs dont do u any good once ur past the warranty period.

 

Unfortunately if the OP didnt purchase extended warranty , I agree . You are 100% correct .
However , in his case , it may help assist in diagnosing his problem .
Thats where I was going with mentioning the tsb,s as there are many that relate to his symptoms

 

Sick burn. Lol. Amazing what a little preventative maintenance will do.

As others have stated, plugs are way overdue, and so is the tranny service. Time for a fluid overhaul on this truck. If it's a fluid, replace it. But I agree and I doubt that's going to help the tranny at this point.

This is why I do fluids religiously. I'd rather spend $500 every 3 years or a couple hundred every year in the hopes of avoiding catastrophic failure. A little "snake oil" still contains helpful detergents that should be used occasionally, but it's referring to the fact that people assume it will fix things it's never intended or expected to actually fix. Don't believe the marketing gimmicks, but take it at face value because those detergents and additives do help with regular maintenance.

 

A TRD Pro? And the $500 service was too much for you to handle?
For the life of me i can never comprehend why people buy the 2nd most expensive purchase of their lives and refuse to do required maintenance on time. This is why I won’t buy used over a certain mileage unless I see the transmission flush and shit.

 

Yep. Thats true. Ive had a shudder on my 2019 pretty much since new under certain conditions. Im at 58k miles currently so maybe i should inquire about it before 60k

 

I certainly would inquire .
I beleive one TSB contains well over $ 5000 in new parts . Thats a tough pill to swallow after warranty is up