1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Installed new transmission and feels weak in drive

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Judd4x4, Feb 9, 2025.

  1. Feb 9, 2025 at 4:12 PM
    #1
    Judd4x4

    Judd4x4 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2025
    Member:
    #464798
    Messages:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 Toyota Tacoma
    I brought this truck with a bad transmission. I just installed another transmission and it just feels like to me it's weak in D. If I put it in Low it will jerk your neck. If you take off in D and shift it to 2 really fast there is no difference in the feeling of take off power. To me it's feels like it's taking off in 2 when it's in D. On the flips side it may just be I haven't owned a auto before and it's just weak feeling. I can't feel it shift hardly it's just smooth I guess. At 50mph it's at 2,000rpm. I'm trying to figure out if I have a problem or not. I have drove it about 60 miles and shifts good no jerking or anything. Just weak start. I didn't know if the kickdown cable could cause that or not.
    I appreciate everyone's input always!!
     
  2. Feb 9, 2025 at 4:16 PM
    #2
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2010
    Member:
    #42625
    Messages:
    21,363
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Deogee
    Vehicle:
    07' TRD Off-Road, Auto
    STOCK
    Look at your RPM vs Speed, that should tell you if it's in 1st or 2nd.
     
  3. Feb 9, 2025 at 4:26 PM
    #3
    Judd4x4

    Judd4x4 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2025
    Member:
    #464798
    Messages:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 Toyota Tacoma
    I'm not 100% sure about what you are meaning. In D it won't start pulling till you are up around 1500 to 2000rpm.
     
  4. Feb 9, 2025 at 5:37 PM
    #4
    LanceRN

    LanceRN Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2021
    Member:
    #361492
    Messages:
    497
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lance
    Vehicle:
    1998 Purple Tacoma TRD
    Have somebody else drive it and see what they think.
     
  5. Feb 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
    #5
    Judd4x4

    Judd4x4 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2025
    Member:
    #464798
    Messages:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 Toyota Tacoma
    No just me.
     
  6. Feb 10, 2025 at 1:04 AM
    #6
    CrippledOldMan

    CrippledOldMan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2019
    Member:
    #280651
    Messages:
    2,566
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Salisbury North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2003 TRD Crew Cab
    None
    from a dead stop in drive, if you stomp the gas pedal this truck should take off with good acceleration. Even driving down the freeway in O/D if you stomp the accelerator the truck should down shift and take off. Now don't get me wrong, it's not a corvette, but I think these 5VZ 3.4L engines have some very good performance for a 4x4 truck. If it doesn't then you have problems, Maybe the shift solenoids may need replacing. Just my 2 cents worth
     
  7. Feb 10, 2025 at 11:18 AM
    #7
    Judd4x4

    Judd4x4 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2025
    Member:
    #464798
    Messages:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 Toyota Tacoma
    From a dead stop it's slow take off, it will not spin the tire at all. Once you get going it will run. Even if you have to slow down and then speed up. But if you have to stop then take off its weak, till it catches up.
     
  8. Feb 10, 2025 at 3:00 PM
    #8
    tacoman2001$

    tacoman2001$ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2022
    Member:
    #406478
    Messages:
    767
    Gender:
    Male
    Take a video so we can see.
     
  9. Feb 10, 2025 at 5:27 PM
    #9
    LanceRN

    LanceRN Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2021
    Member:
    #361492
    Messages:
    497
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lance
    Vehicle:
    1998 Purple Tacoma TRD
    Mine will spin the tires with little effort, and the tires are quite new and mud terrains.
     
  10. Feb 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
    #10
    Judd4x4

    Judd4x4 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2025
    Member:
    #464798
    Messages:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 Toyota Tacoma
    Wow I wish this one would ha, I just dropped the pan and pulled the solenoids. Only 1 of the 3 is clicking when I apply 12v to them. I think that's weird. But hopefully that will fix my issue!
     
    tcBob and JustADriver like this.
  11. Feb 10, 2025 at 11:36 PM
    #11
    CrippledOldMan

    CrippledOldMan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2019
    Member:
    #280651
    Messages:
    2,566
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Salisbury North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2003 TRD Crew Cab
    None
    Keep us posted and let us know
     
  12. Feb 11, 2025 at 2:51 AM
    #12
    Judd4x4

    Judd4x4 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2025
    Member:
    #464798
    Messages:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 Toyota Tacoma
    Will do, hoping to get 2 today.
     
  13. Feb 14, 2025 at 8:44 AM
    #13
    Judd4x4

    Judd4x4 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2025
    Member:
    #464798
    Messages:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 Toyota Tacoma
    I got all new solenoids today, I'll be installing them this evening. We will see if it fixes the issue.
     
  14. Feb 14, 2025 at 3:38 PM
    #14
    CrippledOldMan

    CrippledOldMan Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2019
    Member:
    #280651
    Messages:
    2,566
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    Salisbury North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2003 TRD Crew Cab
    None
    fingers crossed, keep us posted.
     
  15. Feb 14, 2025 at 5:22 PM
    #15
    Judd4x4

    Judd4x4 [OP] Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2025
    Member:
    #464798
    Messages:
    21
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1997 Toyota Tacoma
    I put all 3 new solenoids in and topped it off and it shifts like a brand new one.
     
  16. Feb 15, 2025 at 6:44 AM
    #16
    t0p_d0g

    t0p_d0g 私はタコマが大好きです

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2023
    Member:
    #422653
    Messages:
    1,973
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2023 TRD SPORT 4X4 DCSB CSM, 2004 TRD OR DCSB IRP
    Just for education I’m not up on this but I’m assuming first gear solenoid was bad and you were starting off in second gear each time?

    BTW great thread!
     

Products Discussed in

To Top