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Did my transmission self destruct?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by dan476, Jun 4, 2014.

  1. Jun 4, 2014 at 2:06 PM
    #1
    dan476

    dan476 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey, I have an 04 DC auto 3.4L. This morning on the way to work I noticed my RPM started hunting around 2k rpm. As I drove it some more it got worse and worse. It seems that up to 1800ish RPM its good to go, as soon as I go past that I am losing power and truck keeps jerking forward. Tried reving in neutral around 2k and up and its good to go, but as soon as its in gear it starts hunting again. There was no bang, drove home yesterday and it was fine, started doing it this morning. There is definitely power loss as I barely made it up the hill. Any ideas of what it might be?


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9GlWUlS_RE&feature=youtu.be
     
  2. Jun 4, 2014 at 2:09 PM
    #2
    Noelie84

    Noelie84 What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

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    If you're lucky your transmission's just low on fluid. If you're not lucky...
    Well, let's hope that it's just low on fluid.

    Also, as an FYI, you need to make the video public for any of us to view it.
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2014
  3. Jun 4, 2014 at 2:23 PM
    #3
    Chas of MRT

    Chas of MRT Total Automotive Performance

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  4. Jun 4, 2014 at 3:23 PM
    #4
    dan476

    dan476 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    hi, thanks for your input. Transmission fluid level is good. I believe video works good.
     
  5. Jun 4, 2014 at 3:53 PM
    #5
    Noelie84

    Noelie84 What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

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    Video works good for you because you uploaded it. I've clicked on it from my work and home computers and it says "video is private" on both of them.

    Have you been gradually getting symptoms (like have they happened before), or has it come on suddenly?

    If your fluid is up to level, does it smell burnt? Is it still pink, or is it black or discolored? Have you ever had the transmission fluid changed or flushed?
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2014
  6. Jun 4, 2014 at 3:59 PM
    #6
    dan476

    dan476 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    alright I've changed privacy settings, should work now, i apologize in advance for shaky video. Symptoms came this morning, I noticed them about .5mile away from home. Yesterday everything was good.
     
  7. Jun 4, 2014 at 4:59 PM
    #7
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    you're A340F is on fast track to dead, sorry to kill the party haha, & I'll bet when it goes out altogether (very soon) there wont be any catastrophic bangs or booms, it'll just over rev a couple times & then it'll just be in neutral state, no forwards no backwards, Now after that happens THEN you may get some hellish noises like mine did
     
  8. Jun 4, 2014 at 5:08 PM
    #8
    Johnnycham

    Johnnycham Active Member

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    could it be the tq converter shuddering? my sisters Accord felt jerking forward when the tq converter failed, not sure if Toyota has that problem.
     
  9. Jun 4, 2014 at 5:39 PM
    #9
    Trapperr

    Trapperr Well-Known Member

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    Sub'd because I'm in the same "my transmission is about to shit the bed" boat.
     
  10. Jun 4, 2014 at 6:07 PM
    #10
    MwC73

    MwC73 Well-Known Member

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    The converter clutch should not be locking up at that speed. I have recently repaired a few 2nd gens with converter clutch failing in that manner.The clutch was coming on without being commanded by the pcm.You say it has loss of power, makes me straight away think catalayic converter, plugged fuel filter or engine miss. Does the fluid smell burnt?
     
  11. Jun 4, 2014 at 6:20 PM
    #11
    dan476

    dan476 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Tranny fluid doesn't smell burnt, and its still is red, not brown red. I just checked spark plugs and none of them are wet or caked up, they look good. Wires also look good. My front cat has been rattling lately as well. No codes have been thrown at all.
     
  12. Jun 4, 2014 at 6:28 PM
    #12
    MwC73

    MwC73 Well-Known Member

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    I cant really tell from the video, but will it shift on out if you were to feather the gas pedal. Stopped up cats are often mistaken for transmission problems, also fuel delivery ( stopped up filter).
     
  13. Jun 4, 2014 at 7:34 PM
    #13
    dan476

    dan476 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    it would shift eventually but rpm fluctuation would stay. Anywhere from 1800rpm and up it loses power and rpm is hunting.
    Never touched the battery, and have driven it from work 8 hrs later, still same problem.
     
  14. Jun 5, 2014 at 4:57 AM
    #14
    Noelie84

    Noelie84 What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

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    From what you're saying, it sounds like either the Torque converter is on it's way out, or there's a power problem with your engine. I was thinking possibly shift solenoid before I watched the video, but your transmission is shifting, and usually a bad shift solenoid won't let the transmission shift properly. There's either a power loss between the engine and the transmission (torque converter problem) or there's not enough power coming from the engine. Strange that it's not throwing a code, though.

    Got a local shop that you trust to diagnose a problem correctly? Sounds like it's time for a visit.
    Good luck.
     
  15. Jun 5, 2014 at 5:10 AM
    #15
    4WD

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    Wow, just listened to vid for first time, thats some weird shit....you may want to get an exorcist...:eek: Seriously tho' thats weird as fuck...
     
  16. Jun 5, 2014 at 7:44 AM
    #16
    gearcruncher

    gearcruncher Well-Known Member

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    When you are in park , will the engine rev up ? or does the issue only occur under load in drive range ? What happens when you try reverse ?
    As mentioned above , a plugged catalytic converter will act this way
     
  17. Jun 5, 2014 at 8:27 AM
    #17
    dan476

    dan476 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Engine revs up good in neutral and park. Only fluctuated and loses power under load, especially on hills.
     
  18. Jun 5, 2014 at 8:57 AM
    #18
    gearcruncher

    gearcruncher Well-Known Member

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    And reverse ?
    Do you have all kinds of power in reverse or does it act the same as the video ?
    Just trying to eliminate the possibility of the clutch packs welded together .
    Still seems like plugged cat or fuel management
     
    Last edited: Jun 5, 2014
  19. Jun 5, 2014 at 9:12 AM
    #19
    Speedytech7

    Speedytech7 Toyota Cult Ombudsman

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    I'm no mechanic but this seems like a torque converter issue considering the tranny shifts and the engine can rev past where it is stuck in the vid. Any chance the gear it is doing that in has an issue?

    Torque converters can cause some weird issues, on my old 97 Ford Explorer the torque converter was going out and I had to shift into neutral everytime I stopped and then rev the engine and slam it into drive to get it to go without stalling the engine at a stop. Had another combination failure when both the solenoid pack and the torque converter started acting up on my 03 Nissan Pathfinder. You can see why I drive a manual now, I don't drive hard and both those vehicles had under 150,000 miles on them. I half expected the Ford to pull that crap but the Nissan!?! The Ford died a horrible death because everything but the tranny was in perfect condition and it just wasn't worth repairing. I gave that Ford up and probably shouldn't have, it had its engine rebuilt by Ford for free when there was a recall in the engine internals. But my rant ends....

    I would have someone do one of those active scanning hookups on the OBD II (not your basic scan tool) or the diagnostic port in the engine bay so you can see exactly what the ECU is telling the tranny to do just in case that is the issue. Good luck!

    Sent from my HTC One using Forum Fiend.
     
  20. Jun 5, 2014 at 9:22 AM
    #20
    dan476

    dan476 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Not sure on reverse, I am at work and truck is at home, will try later on tonight.
     

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