Transmission Frozen?...

Last weekend I went Hunting and take my 2019 Tacoma TRD 4X4OR. In the morning I turned on my truck and let it warm for around 10-15 min. Went put it to Reverse it didn't move at all and then tried putting it to Drive and nothing... I thought that the E-Brake got stuck or something but no, cause I released the E-brake all the way down 2 times. Then my idea was to put the truck on 4high and it didn't worked. Next I tried to put it on Neutral and 4low and the truck moved but the transmission sounded like if it was stuck or something like a big "clank" sound. After all this truck drove normal like before, never had an issue like this before. Temperature was at 8F outside. Also no signs of leaks from the transmission of differential.

 

Have you changed the transmission fluid at all? There's been a couple members on here who received their trucks new with low transmission fluid, but its very unlikely since you didn't have any issues prior.

 

Might have been the ebrake locked up

 

The rear brakes had surface rust keeping the e-brake engaged. Common problem. Nothing to worry about

 

The truck has 35k miles I never though on changing the oil at this time soon. Probably low transmission fluid??

 

It definitely was the back brakes rusted fast like they said . Mine did it one time in the garage and when it broke lose a big bang . I had to put it in 4 high and give it a good bit gas to get it .

 

Agreed, most likely parking brake. Just because the lever is down, doesn't mean the actual brake components released.
8 degrees in October, shit man, that's too cold!

 

Rear brakes frozen via the ebrake.

As in cold frozen, not broken frozen.

Piles of threads on the topic

 

Rust,frozen temps, loud bang.. everything fine afterwards? I’d go with frozen ebrake. Rare but not uncommon. If It drove normally after that don’t give it a 2nd thought. NOW if it does it again. Maybe letting it warm up for so long the condensation from the exhaust at the rear end added to the freezing at the rear wheel? Maybe start it up. Run a few seconds an move forward/backward a few feet then warm up so you don’t have over night frost on pads then added with fresh frozen exhaust droplets

 

I've seen brakes freeze in cold weather. Especially after water crossings.

 

That's a nice Summer cold day here in Canada lol

 

I also see you only have 2 messages so I assume your new here? Welcome. This place has got the answers for everything

 

Too complex.

Just don't use the ebrake.

If you need extra security because of how you are parked, use a chock.

 

Next time don't force it out. Find your e-brake cable and just shake the crap out of it.

I ran it in 4low one time when it was stuck and it broke my backing plate and literally twisted my drum shoes. Toyota wanted 2500 for it (basically just replace anything related to that area). I had to pull the axle and had a shop press out and replace the backing plate. I was able to DIY the rest with a friend for ~250.

 

Happened to me as well after a wash when it only had a couple thousand miles. Tried in reverse; no dice. Finally got it unstuck by rocking it back/forth by the tailgate. You definitely hear when it releases and it took quite a few tries.

So after a wash or heavy rain, I don't set the ebrake and has not happened since.

 

People actually use the parking brake for automatics? Who knew?

 

Id bet the e brake stuck. When I wash my car after events and park it in the garage. The first time I move my car this will happen. Just a little bit of extra throttle when I let the clutch out

 

I rarely set my E-Brake (or Parking Brake if you prefer) if I'm on level ground. I generally park my Taco in a level spot at my house where it'll sometimes sit for a couple of weeks at a time; I make a point not to set the brake when it's parked for long-periods of time for just this reason.

 

Had this happen to me after I washed out some snow from inside all four of the wheels. The rear passenger side drum froze up after driving the 8 miles from the carwash to my parents house. It was around 25F outside. Truck was parked for around an hour and half. Used a wheel dolly, and drove using the open differential to drive the driver's side, into the garage. Took off the wheel and heated up the drum. Everything worked after we took off the drum and dried everything out. That was on my 2016 sport I had. Never used the parking brake again on that truck, and never on my 2021.

 

Stuck e brake happened to me when I let the truck sit for 24 hours in 22 degree weather. It sat until it was at least 36 degrees outside, and i felt the e brake break free when I released the lever. I also inspected the line to the drums and it seems like the drain holes for the bed of the truck are right above the e brake line. I'm questioning if any water could make it's way down and inside the line to freeze it? I'm gonna 3D print a cover for it for the time being.