Throttle goes up and down under load

I have an 05 4.0 with 165,000 miles. When I'm going up a hill from 35-55 mph the throttle goes up and down when I hold it at one position. Other than that it has great power all of the time. I have been checking my gas mileage every tank to see if I was not getting the mileage that it should get, but I average 18 mpg.

 

Hey bud just wanted to welcome you since i see this is your first post! so Aloha, hopefully someone can answer your question!

 

Auto or manual ?

 

Derp

Torque converter

 

It is an auto. I don't think that it is the converter. The rpms drop just slightly about every 1/2 second. Just changed oil, air filter, diff fluid, and plugs about 500 miles ago. I'm going to replace the fuel filter this weekend. Just wondering if this is a comon problem.

 

Any idea's?

 

If its just slightly, I wouldn't be worried about it. The torque converter has a mind of its own, at least in my truck. Sometimes it locks up and sometimes it doesnt.

If you're still concerned, (while I do not condone it), snap a video and post it... my only plug would maybe be the MAF.

 

I agree with the previous posts. I prefer not to drive automatics because they seem to always do things at the wrong time and can never make up their minds... My input is that the computer can't decide what gear to stay in

 

I was the same as you before I bought mine....the tacoma tranny really isn't that bad. If it downshifts for a hill, it won't shift back up until you get over it. That's what I used to hate about automatics, they go back and forth, not the case with the taco tho, plus it has plenty of power...so not too much downshifting either.

 

Not to mention you can shift it into any gear you want on the fly

 

Hmm... I might have to get a second Taco!!!

 

Are you talking about the "manual" shifting in the automatic transmission? I don't know about toyotas but all other automatics I've driven with the "manual" shifting will still downshift but will only go up to the gear you have selected

 

Correct , the gear selected limits the top gear it will shift up to