6-speed jerking on start in first gear during start.

had posted this in response to an old thread regarding this issue but wanted to make a new one and see what you all think...

I have a 2012 6-speed and have the same problem. for me, on cold start or when the truck has been sitting for a while, when I start out in first, the best way I could describe it is it's like driving in 4 wheel drive on pavement. The truck jerks, sometimes a little, sometimes as if the thing is gonna shake itself apart. I noticed it getting worse...started doing it mostly on a left turn out of drive way, but now seems to do it any direction, and more frequently. Only in first gear. Once in second, it goes away. I tried different things, like feathering the clutch, tried giving it more rpm, tried rolling at first and trying to jump to second. Anyway, still under factory warranty, so brought it in yesterday to yota dealership. Also had to get clutch pedal/cylinder replaced as that was leaking and I was loosing brake fluid. I wonder if that is related above problem, as mechanic mentioned it might be? Anyway, same exact thing for me as above post. I brought it in before for this and of course, on a test drive, it doesn't do it and I look like I'm crying wolf. Hopefully it does it this time, so they don't think I'm nuts, as it's being left there overnight and the mech will test it this morning. I hate when that happens, cause I know it does it, and my dealership is close to an hour away, so it makes it hard to get up there and get work done, especially when they don't know what the heck I'm talking about. Anyway, added info would be that the mech said there was a bulletin on these, something to do with the driveshaft and that could be my problem, but when I got the truck it came with a 2 or 3 inch? lift, and that throws of the repair protocol. anyway, any thoughts or ideas, just for my peace of mind. I am hoping the dealer can fix it, but it never hurts to have an idea of what the problem is...

 

Couple of thoughts ... Are you using the parking brake and it's not really releasing until you move the wheels/brakes ???

Sticking Brakes (i.e. calipers etc.). Often times the last thing you step on before shutting down is the brake. It may be sticking due to corrosion/etc.

If this is sounds like it might be the case.... park on a level surface as normally but leave it in neutral. Before using it the next day or so .. before starting, release the P brake and try to move (push) the truck forward and backwards and see if it sticks/hard to roll. If so rock it by hand to see if it releases .

 

learn to drive? (yes i know, that was helpful!)

the jerking is often caused by not enough throttle application while going too slow - you can remedy this by applying slightly more throttle, OR learning to slip the clutch just a tiny bit...

if you JUST let the clutch out slowly and let the truck creep does it still do it? What about in 4-low where it should be able to crawl at idle with NO throttle input?

Edit: okay I see that I failed to read your entire post and apologize for that - you appear to have tried the things I would have tried, but I am still curious if it jerks under crawl conditions or only when you are trying to apply a tiny bit of throttle?

 

My 2011 does the same thing, I was thinking it's the clutch warming up against the flywheel or that it's just slipping as I disengage from a stop whether it be from my parking spot or a light on the road. Only when it's cold it does this and seems to go away when it is warm. Of course the warranty doesn't cover the clutch itself since it's a wear and tear item.

 

My accord does this. In mine, it appears to be related to engine not being completely warmed up, thus idling higher. Goes away at full operating temp.

 

Mine does this but I've noticed it does it if its raining or rained the night before. I park in my garage, but sometimes it still does it after it has rained, but I think it's worse if I park outside . Usually goes away after a few start and stops.

 

The clutch and throttle are touchy, especially at low speed, in these trucks. Even more so when the engine is cold and the fluids are warmed up and giving good lubrication.

Remember to not engage the clutch the second you take your foot off the gas. Unlike most cars, the Taco is pretty jerky when you drop the clutch in right way without waiting a second or two.

 

as others have said, in my experience its 100% correlated to the weather.

cold? wet? overnight? first 5-10 clutch uses? sure. exactly. i know what days to expect it now goes away about the same amount of stops down the road.

my solution has been to kinda give it a lot of clutch on the first pull out...force it to be smooth. rider er a little. this cuts down the chatter and warms the clutch disk up faster. honestly if i stayed put, emergency brake on, and just rubbed clutch for 20sec, it would be good to go. haven't tried that yet tho. might not try ever.

maybe this helps yours?

 

sorry for taking so long to follow up and thanks for all your input replies. Of course, I brought it to the dealer and they had it for 2 days, and noticed nothing. Of course, the weather was perfect those 2 days. hot, sunny, and dry. When I got it back, it was raining that night and next morning was doing the worst so far. So, like you said, probably has something to do with humidity and cold starts. first couple accelerations in morning then it sort of goes away. I wish I could get it fixed, though.
It wasn't in vein though, as I brought it in to get the leaking clutch fluid on my driver side floor fixed also...was the cyl. behind the clutch pedal and they replaced it, and previous issue with squeaking clutch pedal also went away...for now...for good, I hope.
But, back to the 1st gear shake. All that being said, and you all who have the problem too. What do you think the culprit is? A cheap clutch plate? bad design? Lubricant not working till reaching op. temp.?

 

I vote the clutch disk material. Must absorb moisture more than others. I have a 1972 Vw bus and that clutch is so much smoother it's silly, regardless of weather. The miss has a 93 prelude and never has a problem with that clutch either. Just this truck.

I wonder if guys who've replaced theirs with aftermarket report the chatter gone for good?

 

You said your clutch pedal squeaked. I had a similar issue with my 05' in the winter time after it sat for a few hours. It would go away after a few start-stops. I think it has to do with the clutch pedal plunger slightly sticking as you release the clutch pedal and thus causing the jerking. My 14' clutch pedal just recently starting feeling sticky (but not causing jerks). Turning the shaft that is mentioned in the "my clutch sqeaks" threads seems to have resolved it.

 

My 2009 six speed has the same problem. It usually happens when the clutch is cold and it's an up hill start. It really seems to happen if it's cool and rainy outside. Maybe the clutch material absorbs a bit of moisture, or there's an accumulation of moisture on the clutch surfaces?

It's been doing it since I purchased the truck new, and every time I think I have a problem, it doesn't do it for several weeks.

I'm way out of warranty, but I'm really not too concerned about it at this point.

 

It sounds to me like you might have hot spots on the clutch that make it slip while engaging. Although it might seem counter intuitive, I suggest heating it up really good. Go wheeling, or simulate technical wheeling in the driveway by getting the revs up in the 2000 or 2500 range and feather the clutch so that it barely engages. You want the clutch to be slipping while you have the rpms up. You shouldn't need to make it smoke, but you want to even out that heating so that it engages more smoothly.

Remember, this advice is free and you get what you pay for... I've seen this work in other vehicles, it may or may not help you with your problem.

 

The 2011 6 speed I had did the exact same thing. It did it from brand new up until I got rid of it. It only happened when first starting off when the truck was cold. It had nothing to do with driver technique. My tranny and clutch had never been abused.

 

Mine is extremely abused and does not do it. Try doing a burnout every once in a while, maybe the disk is glazed or something.

 

I don't have that truck anymore. I sold it and bought a dclb auto.

But maybe that would have fixed it.