Transmission slipping/clunking

i have a 2014 Tacoma sport DCLB. I only have about 23k miles on it. I didn’t drive it for about 2 years due to a snowboarding accident. At first it rode fine. Now the trans is slipping/clunking when I slow down/come to a stop and then accelerate. I’ve read about a potential problem with u-joints? Fluid low? Any ideas? Same problem?

 

Did you get an oil change recently? Make sure whoever did the oil change didn't accidentally drain the transmission instead of the engine. It sounds crazy, but it's been known to happen. If you're sure it's slipping, then it's definitely the trans, if it's a clunk it could be u-joints or the slip yolk in the driveshaft.
Check your antifreeze level too, there's a transmission cooler in the radiator, if it leaks it will mix transmission fluid and antifreeze causing what is known as the "pink milkshake". I highly doubt that's the case at your trucks age/mileage.

Did anybody drive your truck at all or at least start it once in a while you were recovering? It's kinda hard on vehicles to just sit around for long periods of time, though I doubt just two years of sitting would do much damage to a relatively new vehicle.

@gearcruncher is our transmission expert around here, if you have any transmission questions he's the one to ask.

 

After 2 years , I cant imagine there was much battery voltage left in the old girl unless you ran a trickle charger , Did you have to boost the truck to get it running ?
I would start by checking the condition of the battery .....Is the altenator charging ?
Transmissions need at least 13.5 - 14 volts to function correctly when the engine is running .
Considering its a completely computer controlled truck , a computer scan would be my next step

 

Thanks for the replies suggestions. The truck only sat idle for a few months. Then my wife used it a couple of times/week. I’ve been driving for the last year or so..though not as much. Alternator seems to be working fine. I usually do my own oil changes. My wife had a garage (that I trust) change the oil about 1.5 years ago. Wouldn’t the ATF be red? I’ve since changed it (the motor oil) twice (most recently yesterday) I also greased the u-joints. When it’s nicer will check the trans. fluid level. Should I just go and change it or leave we’ll enough alone? May be my imagination but the clunking is not as pronounced. We’ll see.

 

After transmission fluid gets a little mileage on it ,a light brown color is considered normal .
Now that the possibilty of a bad battery has been eliminated , A computer scan would be the next step and as you mention ,checking the fluid level .
Its a completely computer controlled truck and to follow diagnostics correctly , a code scanner needs to be used to see what codes are stored in memory
Any chance you have a code reader ?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...th-pics-for-second-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/

 

Yea, will do. We're having a storm though. May be a few days. Wouldn't the check engine, etc. light come on though if there's a fault code?

 

Hey Gearcruncher. Looked for the code reader and couldn't find it. Maybe left it in a car I sold. Clunking seems much better after lubeing the u-joints. Still want to check the trans fluid though (not drain). Just open overfill and fill bolts and fill with appropriate trans fluid till it drains out the overfill? How else to check the level if it's low (from the factory, etc)? Wait till the snow melts though.

 

No ,there is a process of getting the truck in check atf mode and warming shit up.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-drain-refill-automatic-transmission.63851/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-full-flush-for-automatic-transmission.68462/

 

Hey, since it's a newer truck, I just want to check and possibly top off the ATF. Not completely drain, (flush) and refill. Everything says to refill what u drained. Must be some way to check level without totally draining

 

All you have to do is add half a quart or so and do the temp check procedure. If it drains out of the check hole (must be in temp check mode with atf at the correct temperature and truck idling in park) it'll be at the correct level once it slows to a trickle. If none drains out, your transmission is low on fluid... Add some more and try again.
A drain/fill won't hurt anything and will actually help get some of the break-in wear material out of the fluid, but it's your truck, do whatever you want.

 

ATF is Low or dirty!

 

Ok, Ok. I looked up the temp check procedure. Idle truck, place jumper, temp light comes on 2 secs, crawl under idling, hot truck ...remove overflow bolt...trickle, etc,etc. From my accident, I've only got the use of one good arm! This sounds like a total PIA! I've seen capacities at 3.2 qts for "initial" fill and 11+ for "total" fill. Most guys when they drain refill about 3.2 qts and call it a day. Would this be wrong? It sounds like most dealers aren't doing any better. Thoughts? I might leave well enough alone.

 

Yeah, 3.2 is right on the money. I always check anyways though.

 

I just did mine yesterday. Not too bad really.
DO NOT TORQUE THE DRAIN BOLT. There is about three threads in there and it strips super easy.
If you’re just checking the level.
Get it to temp with procedure and just take out overflow bolt and make sure some comes out. If not grab some atf.

 

Update: was leaking lines to the trans. Radiator/cooler. Covered under engine/drivetrain warranty. Runs like new again. FYI. Look for small spots of tranny fluid on the ground.