Can’t get into AT Temp Check Mode

2007 Tacoma Trd 4x4 4l.

Poor shifting the past couple of days that got so bad last night I realized something was up. Discovered a leak from my transmission cooler line.
Replaced this morning.

The only thing is, I don’t know how much fluid I lost. I followed the drain and fill procedure from this site and zero fluid came out when I opened the drain plug. Hmmm

Pumped in a gallon, did the temp check procedure, got the AT Temp light to flash twice as indicated….then waited an hour and the light never went solid. Currently 30 F degrees here.

checked the overflow plug anyways, nothing came out.

so I let it sit for a while, pumped in another quart, tested the overflow plug and fluid started pouring out. I closed it quick while it was still pouring out.

went through temp check procedure, everything going to plan….but here I am 30minutes later again and no solid AT check temp light.

I don’t know how the temp check works necessarily, is it possible I lost so much fluid it’s not enough to register the correct temp?

is it too cold to do this?

when I start the truck in temp check mode it idles roughly and switching my between D and N as indicated it shifts roughly.

any and all help appreciated!!! Love this forum thanks all!

 

Essentially temp check mode is just using the A/T Temp light to tell you when the transmission fluid temp is in range to check, honestly if you have a scan tool, scangauge, or other way to read transmission temp it's faster and easier than using temp check mode.
Being the truck is an 07 it's probably programmed for the incorrect temp range (115-130F) anyway, fluid temp should be 97-115F when checking per TSB 0129-08

 

An infrared thermometer works also, IR typically reads about 2 degrees cooler on the pan then the system sees but that's in normal ambient temps.

 

Thanks for this. I've been reading all over this site off and on for a few weeks and never saw this TSB on any transmission drain and fill guides. Saved me a lot of trouble.

 

In 30-degree weather, it can take a long time for the transmission to reach operating temperature just by idling. I have a trans temp gauge on my Tacoma, and you’d be surprised how long it takes to hit 114°F (which, if I’m not mistaken, is when the light comes on)—even while driving. Given the cold temperatures, I would use the IR temp gun method that others have suggested.

 

Agreed....try waiting an hour to an hour and a half

 

Conversely, it's not a good idea to try doing this procedure in July/Aug. Your window of opportunity goes by REAL fast LOL.

 

Is the temperature range shown in TSB 0129-08 only for the model years listed in it? I am looking to confirm the correct ATF temperature check range for my 2013 4.0L V6 4x4 A/T.

 

It's correct for all model years of 2nd gen, the reason the TSB only shows the particular model years is that service information was updated for subsequent years to reflect the new temp range so no TSB required for them.

 

Thank you.