unusual shifting... not sure if it's normal

1995 tacoma 4x4 3.4l auto
I've never owned a toyota before but I doubt this is normal.

Cruising along at a steady speed, say 60mph, if I gently accelerate, or if I go up a gently hill and need to depress the accelerator the transmission seems to upshift and the rpms drop...
Then when I get to the speed I want and ease up on the throttle it feels like it's downshifting and the rpm goes up.
Basically it feels like the exact opposite of what I would expect. Almost like a torque converter locking and unlocking but it the opposite way I would expect.

Now one other thing, if the hill is not gentle and I have to give it more throttle it will downshift like normal.

confused.

 

Sounds like it is going in and out of converter lockup. My auto Nissan Maxima tends to clunk a bit when the converter unlocks, so I'd be tempted to say it is normal. Maybe someone with an auto Taco will chime in.

 

What color is the fluid? Maybe time for a change.

 

Sounds like its working properly . You are feeling the torque converter unlocking and locking up as mentioned above .
Got some reading here that may help
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...warner-340-series-transmissions-write-up.html

 

Thanks guys. I'm not sure of the condition of the fluid. I'm used to working with good ol dexron iii. The stuff in this toyota looks dark greenish. Never worked with it before. It doesn't smell burnt like dexron iii can.

Also thanks for the link gearcruncher. There's a lot of info there and I'll be reading through it.

 

When you completely let off the throttle the converter unlocks that is normal . If you are going fast enough it will relock as soon as you give it some gas.

 

This is not what's happening. If it is the TC, it is unlocking with the throttle applied to maintain 60mph (example) on a flat straight away. Then locking when I apply a little more throttle to accelerate to 65mph, then unlocking again when I get up to speed and reduce throttle to stop accelerating. It's completely different than completely letting off the throttle.

It seems assbackwards. I would expect the TC to unlock and get a bump in rpm if I made a small acceleration. Not get a DROP in rpm. It's strange.

 

You can usually verify its a torque converter application issue by holding your right foot steady on the fuel and gently tap the brake pedal with your left foot .Your not really hitting the brakes , you are manipulating the brake switch which turns the converter lock up clutch off . If the converter clutch is functioning properly , engine rpm will jump up 200 to 300 rpm and then the torque converter will lock up again .
Its a 1995 . I am assuming high mileage ?
http://www.sonnax.com/parts/2747

 

do a tranny flush and replace with full synthetic fluid to take care of that as a maint issue weather its the problem or not. I think you will find it works sooo much better afterwards, mine did.

 

Take it to a respected independent trans shop let them drive it.

 

I'll try it. Very high miles. 298K+

Yeah that sounds like a good idea.

 

At 298K do your self a favor don't change it. There is a high probability you'll be walking in a few days if you do.