TRD OR Manual Issues going from neutral into first, or first to second gear

As I've said I have had this issue to earlier.

But it is not the actuator, as 1: you could get it into 3rd gear.

2nd When I had my issue, I actually got it into reverse and forced a roll back of the truck a few inches then threw it in first and drove off.

What really made my mad about this issue and same as you , it happens Always when someone is behind you which eliminates and real playing around with the problem, it's a o crap I gotta get moving Now issue.

 

Happened in my driveway this morning. Luckily was real easy to solve by rolling forward an inch...

The 3rd time it happened to me (last time before the driveway) it was late at night with no one around me and I did exactly what you said, put it in reverse and reversed a few inches then boom right into 1st no problem. I just don't want to constantly have to worry about this every time I come to a stop. If it is a "characteristic of the vehicle" as they say, then I can learn to live with it. We will find out next week what the dealer finds, but I have a feeling they will just say it is normal.

 

Everyone that is having trouble with tight shifting, I had this same issue. I drained all of the gear oil out of the drivetrain. And replace with synthetic gear oil. Valvoline

$29 75w-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75w-90 and this cured the stiff shift problem. It also quieted the whole truck. Have 10000 miles and it is smooth as silk. Toyota is putting cheap crap gear oil in these from the factory so do yourself a favor and change it you won't regret it.

 

I bought a can of gear oil from Toyota and it was around $30/can... so not cheap and I think its 100% synthetic. Toyota somewhat arguably has the best oil when they use the proper amounts. Maybe the tight shifting is due to low gear oil from the factory... ??

 

Do you work for Toyota? Valvoline Syntech and Royal Purple are above all other gear oils. I have tested these in my lab at work and know for a fact the factory bulk oil is not better than these synthetics.

 

Let me start by saying I don't own a 3rd gen. But I had that exact same shifting issue in my Xterra. It got worse when it was cold out. Nissan change the gear oil out a couple times to thinner oils. It would get slightly better for a while then go back to being shit. This may not help but it's weird that it is the same issue.

 

Haha I think this thread should take a break until dantegigante gets back from Toyota service check.

This problem is equivalent to making a fist and pushing against a wall. Notice how the wall doesn't move? That's best way to describe it to someone who hasn't had this problem.

Changing oil to snake oil isn't going to fix it. Low oil is not the issue in gearbox, it is a manual transmission. Is the clutch disengaging? Yes cause it'll pop into reverse or third gear.

Realistically it could be linkage binding or, synchro's.

Is it a major issue ... Meh... Should it happen at all.. Nope. While driving do all the other gears engage smoothly , including clutch. YUP.

Anyway, let's see what Toyota says later this week, or what parts they throw at it.

 

Well to be fair with what he is describing, having to start off in 3rd gear over and over again is going to be a major issue for his wallet if it doesn't get fixed.

 

Start with the cheapest weakest link = clutch master cylinder.

No I don't work for Toyota.... they do use top quality oils - I've done some research! Check out bobstheoilguy.com.. I think they did some tests on it and comparo to Mobil 1. By tests I mean more than sniffing.... actual scientific tests.

 

For the record, I only started it in 3rd once, and didn't intend to fully accelerate in 3rd. I was just trying to get it rolling in the hopes that I could then switch into 2nd or 1st, but when I let my foot off the gas it kept revving, for no reason whatsoever that had anything to do with me, that is where it burned my clutch. 2nd time I was on a slope and able to roll forward a bit and get it into second gear, 3rd time no one was around and I was able to put it into reverse, reverse a few inches then put it back into first, and the last time was in my driveway, but I just rolled forward a bit and was able to put it in 1st.

For the time being I am always putting it into first right before I come to a stop, but I am really not a fan of having to keep my foot on the clutch the whole time I am stopped at a light. I have never had to do that with any other standard vehicle I have ever driven, I have never had issues like this and that includes trucks and truck based platforms like the FJ Cruiser. I don't think it is acceptable to have to use "tricks" or "techniques" to get around problems that really shouldn't exist to begin with.

We will find out on Wednesday night what Toyota says.

 

I vote a synchro issue. I find that if I down shift through all the gears coming to a stop then first goes right in. But if I pull it out of third and coast to a stop sometimes first is tight. That's my two cents.

 

So the service manager took it for a good test drive but couldn't get it to replicate the issue...which I expected since it isn't a daily occurrence. Based on what I told him, he said he would normally attribute it to the break-in period, the teeth on the synchros need to be worn a bit (according to him), but he said he thinks it sounds like it is more than that. He has advised Toyota and inquired whether or not they know of this problem from anywhere else.

Now I am waiting to hear back from Toyota, but don't have my hopes up for anything...

I didn't want them to take apart the transmission or anything at this point, so am just happy to have it on record in case it gets worse or something gets damaged.

 

Was thinking a better outcome would have happened other then a service manager driving your truck.

I'm stuck in a position where the dealership I bought my truck, proved incompetent to do something as simple as torque wheel nuts and put all four bolts to put the skid plate in place.

Only at 5000 km, I'll bring the same issue to the next dealership I decide to go to. But also it hasn't occurred to me in recent weeks.

Worst part is , I'd like to throw a URD shirt shifter in the truck, but that wouldn't go over well with the shifter issue lol

 

I didn't really expect the dealership to find anything wrong with it, since it only jams like 1/10 times that I go for a drive somewhere. I didn't expect or want them to take apart the transmission at this point either. It basically went exactly as expected, he notified Toyota of the issue and inquired to them if they have had similar complaints. It is on the record and I will continue to bring it up every 1 or 2k km if it doesn't go away after the "break in period".

If you are having the same problem, you should get your dealership to notify Toyota, as well.

Be persistent...they weren't even going to do up any paperwork except the original order until I told the guy that I've been driving manuals my whole life and it simply isn't normal, break in period or not. I told him that there are others on the forums who are experiencing the same issue, and that is when he decided to notify Toyota and inquire about possible common issues...showed me exactly what he typed up and sent to them.

No dealership is perfect, just have to push for what you want without being a dick, and don't let them brush you off with simple explanations.

The autos got sorted out with a TSB because enough dealers were getting complaints and letting Toyota know.

If it is a common problem, I'd like to wait until Toyota finds an actual solution before having them rip apart my brand new transmission to just replace parts with identical parts anyways.

I was thinking the same thing regarding the quick shifter....

 

Mine did similar in the beginning but now at 10k miles its gone away.

 

Well, the dealer actually heard back from Toyota already. Toyota has said to change the check valve, parts are ordered...we will see how this goes.

 

keep us posted.

 

I had this problem early on but is gone now.

 

Awesome news. Guess you're gonna do me and a few others a favour by posting the service work report so that I can steal the part number off it haha.

 

It is not the clutch check valve that was ordered as the first advisor told me, it is actually the shifter check return spring and ball. The service manager told me (I dropped it off last night to be worked on today) that Toyota has had this issue somewhat frequently in the States, but not yet in Canada. Probably a lot more manuals sold in the States because you guys had the option of the 4 door short bed TRD off-road, which we in Canada didn't get...access cabs being only version (of TRD Off-Road) available was a dumb move on their part, in Canada.

Anyways, we will find out today what the master technician who is working on my truck has to say about it, and find out in the coming weeks if this fix works. Will keep you all posted.