Different transmission concern...

My truck has done this only a few times so far in the last 4,700 miles, and it's only been recently. I'll get in the car in the morning, so the engine is cold (Bay Area, so it's not freezing temps) I'll drive down my street and sometimes the truck seems to hang onto 1st gear before shifting to 2nd, evidenced by the RPM's climbing much higher than they should. I'm going maybe 15 mph when this happens. Mentioned it to my dealer when I went in for the 5k service along with an intermittent 'clunk' when downshifting from 2nd to 1st when braking. Dealer went on a test drive with me and of course neither issue presented itself. They also refused to check the transmission fluid using the excuse that it's a sealed transmission and Toyota determined that too many people were adding too much transmission fluid and that was found to be more detrimental to the transmission than too little fluid. They said it's documented so if if becomes worse there's a record of it. I also have a 7yr/100k warranty so not super concerned, just a little annoying.

 

The clunk seems odd, how often does it happen? Does it not happen if you brake a certain way (hard vs. soft)? Apply constant pressure when braking to see if you can find a way to replicate it. Is it a clunk that you feel or hear?

As for the RPM's, what is much higher? Once it decides to shift, does it jolt into 2nd gear or shift smoothly?

 

The clunk is intermittent, happens at any speed, but once was a really big clunk when I braked really hard on the freeway when I had to stop short. Otherwise, before and after that, it's a much less milder clunk, and happens with no rhyme or reason.

The few times it's hung on in 1st gear when cold it will eventually shift very smooth into 2nd gear.

Someone else had mentioned that that clunk is something normal with slack in the driveline in a 4WD vehicle. I have no clue, since I've only previously owned AWD cars.

 

When you first turn it on, How long do you let your truck idle before you put it in gear?

 

not very long. I get in, start the truck, plug in my phone, put on my seatbelt, wait for EnTune software to connect and dial up what I want on Pandora, then go.

 

It probably won't make a difference with your "clunk", but I'd recommend that for any car, you wait 15-20 seconds for all fluids to be properly circulating and such. But I'm by no means a professional mechanic. That is a weird problem though...

 

Looks like you should look at this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...nd-after-reverse.408895/page-19#post-11799995

I linked a certain post so you could read that one first, but I'd look and see everyone else's responses too. Sounds like the same issue...

"Hoping a little more fluid will help the R-D surge and smooth out some of the shifting at low speeds. first/second can be a little jerky, and I did have the "clunk" when shifting down to first coming to a stop. That 1/2 quart seems to have helped that. Highway it usually seems smooth."

Maybe other people's symptoms will help you recreate the problem for the dealer.

 

Oh, if you end up having your issue fixed please remember to post back what fixed it! That way, one or two years down the line someone else with the same problem can easily find what fixed it. Hope you get everything the way you want it soon!

 

Will do for sure! My guess is the dealer will just keep blowing me off about it, and eventually it will get bad enough to where it can't be denied by the dealership, and they'll have to replace it.

 

I mentioned these other issues and threads to the dealership and they just laughed and said just because it's on the internet doesn't make it true. Then the tech said he could write anything he wanted on an online forum regardless of it's validity. I was pissed but figured if they want to make more work for themselves then so be it, since I'm not paying a dime for any of the service.

 

If you notice it starting to get worse at all and the dealer won't fix it, file a claim with Toyota. Let's face it, a large part of the reason these trucks cost as much as they do is because you pay for the reliability aura surrounding the Toyota name. If it is a serious problem that risks the entire transmission, I don't see Toyota ignoring the issue. Transmissions need the correct fluid level. Too low, not good, too much, not good.

 

If you have the option, I would not service my vehicle at that dealership anymore. If you find you can re-create the problem, take it to another dealer and show them. If that dealership is your only option, request a different service manager and team to work with you. With a response like that, make sure someone else helps you in the future.

 

I have a 7yr/100k warranty. I'll just drive it until the transmission falls out and gets damaged simply because they refused to check the fluid level. Screw 'em.