Replaced Transmission; does not shift at proper intervals; how to fix?

I have a 1996 Toyota Tacoma with 162,000 miles. I am the original owner. Recently, all of a sudden, the automatic transmission wouldn't shift from 2nd to 3rd at times, and other times, wouldn't shift into OD. My mechanic determined that I needed a new transmission. After pricing it, I decided to just get a whole new transmission installed. Now, when I drive it, it does not shift at all the same as the original transmission did. Example, with the original transmission, it would shift from 1st-2nd at 10mph, 2nd-3rd at 20mpg, and into OD at 30, unless I was cruising around town at 28 or so, and then it would go into OD as long as I was on flat ground. The truck always shifted like that as long as I was not "gunning it", which I didn't do. Now, with the new Transmission, it shifts from 1st-2nd at 15mph, 2nd-3rd at 35 unless I take my foot off of the gas, as one would with a manual transmission when shifting, and I don't know when it shifts into OD since I live in a town where the max speed limit is usually 25, but it is 35 in a couple of roads, hence, I have not gone into OD since the new transmission, unless at 30MPH, I take my foot off of the gas pedal. The new transmission does not shift from 2-3 at the slower speeds unless I take my foot off of the gas pedal, and the same thing when shifting from 3-OD [or 4th]. How does one adjust this, or can it be adjusted? Much appreciate any help here, as my mechanic seems to think it is functioning fine. I have driven this truck ever since it was new, so I THINK I should know when it should shift! Thanks!

 

Mine drives exactly like your new one. I don't know why it would go into OD at 30.

 

KdF; I am sorry yours runs that way! As I said in my original post, I am the original owner of my 96 Tacoma, and I have put 162,000 miles on it, so I know how it runs and I know how and when it shifts gears. I am not a hot-rodder, but I am not an old geezer either. I just drive it economically, and as such, as I drive around town at between 25-30mph [speed limit 25] it normally goes into OD and as such, I am running about 1100 rpm then and saving a ton of gas. that is why I am getting 22 mpg around town. But now with this new transmission, I am getting 16, which sucks. Since it is a brand new transmission and not a rebuilt one, this should be something simple, but danged if I know what it is! Any help appreciated, people! Thanks!

 

Is the ECT button engaged?

 

maybe you need to adjust the kickdown cable that goes from the throttle body to the trans. You have some adjustment there for how the trans shifts.

 

I agree with Mr Hossmaster .
The cable from your Throttle body going down to your transmission is adjusted when a new transmission is installed . The cable tells your transmission where your foot is on the gas pedal . This adjustment signals engine load to the transmission .
The procedure for adjusting this cable requires the use of a pressure gauge and some guys skip the pressure gauge step and wing it causing delayed up shifts . Is winging the adjustment a bad thing ? Not necessarily as long as the transmission has a later more aggressive upshift as your does , it wont cause any damage to the transmission .
If however , the cable isn't adjusted tight enough ( too loose ) , the transmission could slip . A common occurrence on older vehicles as the cable stretches over time
At the bottom of this link , you can find the adjustment procedure for your cable going from your engine and down to your transmission .
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...sions-write-up-your-4-speed-automatic.325531/

 

tan4X4; my truck does not have an ect button.
hossmaster and gearcruncher;
your replies seemed to make the most sense. I will print out the adjustment procedure that gearcruncher gave me the link to, and give that to my mechanic. Hopefully this will fix the problem. I love my truck, but right now for me, it is pretty much useless as it is, as I cannot stand how it is shifting [or NOT shifting!]. Thanks so much!

 

Gearcruncher; how do you perform an "AT initialization"? I was reading some of the links you provided, and I cannot find an explanation of how to do this. Much appreciated!

 

My bad, I assumed that all of the Tacoma autos had that feature.

 

tan4X4; no problem. Mine only has the "OD" push button switch at the end of the auto-trans gearshift lever, but no ect button. My wife's 96 RAV4 does have it though!