3rd Gen Automatic Transmission Fluid Level Check DIY

Can you elaborate or share where info is. Thinking about purchasing an app based OBD reader. What ar

 

Anyone else do a 2020 + yet ? How did you check temp ? I may need to break down and buy one of the app based obd readers.

 

Try to move the stick between N and P and see if D on the panel starts blinking and disappears. If it does, you are good.
Ideally, you want Techstream, but you need to put some affort getting unlocked version and ODB adapter is $160+

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-level-check-diy.547455/page-12#post-22645913

 

Thank you. I still don't comprehend what pinning the thermostat does and why some do and don't.

 

It's a throwback to a Tundra TSB that required pinning the t.stat to check fluid level.
AFAIK, there is no technical literature that states it is required on 3rd Gen Tacomas.
The thinking is, the air cooler is not getting filled; opening the t.stat allows the air cooler to fill. I've done it both ways; no difference. Then again, my t.stat had probably opened and filled the cooler prior to my checks...Who knows?
Well, they eliminated the air cooler in 2020 as well, so...

 

Good info thanks. Just totalled my 2015 and bought a 2020. I know it has a trans cooler but never herd of an air cooler. Regardless it doesn't sound like the new truck has it, thanks.

 

This info proved quite helpful! Thanks op. I would like to add that I just purchased a used 17trdor with trans coole/tow package and was having strange hard shifts. They were only after sharply decelerating and then accelerating and quick 90 degree turns .
My thoughts were it was low enough that the g's to the side or front would be enough to push the fluid out of where the plates are and thus the problem. After using this helpful level check info my thought proved true. 2.75 quarts low. Issue gone. Maybe this Intel will help someone else looking to check level because of hard shift. Note: it would slip only in the 2 described scenarios and then when it caught it would hard shift/ chirp tires even at 8mph or so.
The truck has every service record. In 80k never a transmission drain and fill, logged at least. My suspicion is because this "it's a sealed system, never even look at it" bs. That even my dealership parroted.

 

OBD Fusion with Toyota 2021 Enhanced Diagnostics Trans Temp 1 works on a 2022. Just did it this morning

 

I'm diving into this project on my 2005 Toyota Tacoma and curious if anyone else has experienced this particular hiccup.

Fill, drain and check bolts have all been loosened. The truck has been leveled and OBD pins #4/13 jumped. Start the truck (lights off), shift between drive/neutral at least 6-7 times, and then back to park. Instead of the AT Temp light blinking for 2-seconds the light remains a solid red. Tried both from cold and warm starts with the same result.

Takes about 18 minutes for the AT Temp light to go from a solid to flashing; indicating that the temperature has become too hot for the proper oil check procedure.

Alternatively, I do have a Thinkcar Thinkobd 100 which can likely read the transmission temperature as well. Just curious if anyone else has experienced this on the 05'.

Thanks in advance. This is an extremely helpful thread.

 

It will be a little while before I have to change mine...not even 10K miles on her yet.

Great info...thanks!

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NUAuGmDGntY&list=PLeFzfl0Q8rQWZjE9-i2oNRoEnBwQso5Bk&index=17

 

My 2021 OR does not support any of the above methods, except an OBD reader for the trans temperature.
Have not yet found the Techstream access to putting the trans into check mode, my version is one of the 16.xxx.xx.

 

Do you have Techstream and looking where to find the temp check mode?

 

Here's the pdf from Toyota. NOTE for 2020+ automatic transmission temperature check you do NOT have to jump the DLC3 terminals

 

Yes, I have Techstream 16.20.023. Looks like SSMTRDOR may have supplied the necessary document. Will read it later after taxes.

 

Thank you for posting this video. It was exactly what I was looking for as I have the supplies but was worried about the procedure. I'm on my way to the driveway to practice

 

Yeah. Care Care Nut is a great channel. The guy is a gem and great teacher.

FWIW: it took about 25 minutes for my transmission to reach temperature up here in the Canada. Some of the instructions say 8 minutes or so, but that has a lot to do with ambient.

My initial drain was almost exactly 2 litres. I added 3 litres (the two I drained, plus extra to adjust to correct level). When I adjusted level I drained out exactly one more litre as my tranny had the proper fill to begin with.

Taking Car Care Nut’s advice, I did not do multiple drains and fills to eliminate all the old fluid as he advised against that. So for now, I have 3 fresh litres in the tranny.

 

I also recommend taking this video in. It’s a bit different as the Trucks have a dedicated tranny drain plug and the cars have a removable snorkel to drain the system, but it reinforces many of the same concepts.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eRxSu4-4ojo

 

CCN mentions some sort of scan tool to verify correct level check temp. I’m guessing that my Scangauge would be the correct tool for that?