Torque Converter Problems

Exactly! I believe the lockup clutch has been the issue with mine every time. What I'm now wondering is if my fluid temp gets too high while I'm driving... I live in Texas and on any given day I put between 50-70miles on the truck

 

I hate hearing that your not under warranty anymore... Your symptoms sound different than my TC problems. Maybe it's your driveline vibration? I usually got shudder right before my truck upshifted (bad TC clutch lockup)

 

Same issue with mine. It's pretty much the main reason I joined TW, but I am sure glad I did now. I've got an '06 TRD Sport DBL cab- only mine has 160k miles so no warranty for me. I am going to be taking mine to the dealer soon to see what is going on. I've got the vibes around 15-25 mph. Taking it out of overdrive seems to help a little bit, but not enough to make me happy at least

 

Got some info here that might help
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...hift-kit-shift-recalibration-kit-2nd-gen.html

 

I have a 2009 4x4 V6 Access Cab with 120k on the clock. I'd say for the past 10k miles there's been shuddering around 30 and 40mph when shifting. It goes away when I let off the throttle. Sounds exactly like what the OP describes. I've done the carrier bearing and u-joints long before the shuddering started for the "clank" when coming out of park into drive. That went away with both those things replaced. Looking for solutions to the current issue. I'm planning on going to the local dealer to see if I can have it diagnosed by one of their techs.

 

I may be way off base here, but if you continue to have torque converters fail, it could be that you have a warped or slightly out of round flex plate, that would cause the bearings to wear excessively inside the converter. Either that or the transmission input shaft could be slightly off. Manufacturing issues happen sometimes.

 

Hey buddy, sorry to hear about that. Is your truck shuddering right before it upshifts? Mine was particularly bad when going from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th. My old 07 went through a couple torque converters before I sold it with just under 200k on the clock.

Just curious, does your 09 have the factory tow package?

 

Sounds like the same symptoms.
I do have the tow package.

 

Interesting. I asked that because that package comes with a separate cooling system for the transmission and power steering fluid. I've noticed a definite difference between my 07 and 10. My 07 did not have a factory tow package, but it did have an aftermarket hitch.

Get it diagnosed. Best case scenario they might reflash your ecu and fix the problem. You might check the fluid as well, maybe just needs a change. Hopefully you don't need a rebuild.

 

As far as I'm aware, Toyota does not put a power steering cooler on any of the Tacoma's. The towing package includes a 130 amp alternator, an engine oil cooler, and a transmission cooler.

 

I have a 2008 with only 780000 miles and torque convertor also causing shuddering. Have it at dealer and they confirmed torque convertor. I am trying to get toyota to assist in replacing torque convertor sa far there answer was no. I am waiting for manager to call back. I know out of warranty but low miles and other owners like yourself are having same problem. As I see it manufacture defect.

 

I meant 78000 miles

 

Hey Guys, I just found this thread, and am wondering if my problem may involve a torque converter. I'll try to explain the best I can. I have a 2012 TRD Offroad Automatic Trans. with a tow package, which I have used to tow a few times. Right now I have 52,000 miles on her.
So, today as I ma driving up a normal grade hill, it had trouble shifting from 2nd to 3rd, and then after that, 3rd to 4th. It would wind out in each gear, and not upshift, but while at around 2200 RPM's it just wouldn't gain any speed or power. Even if I tried to floor it, and get my RPM's higher, it just wouldn't gain any power or speed. On the downhills, it would act pretty normal. I have read that the 2nd Gens have had a bunch of torque converter issues, could mine be in that category?

 

This. Test the trans fluid and don't let anyone work on it until it is tested. I know some people who have had these problems (multiple trans failures) and simply testing the fluid after the first failure would have determined this to be the problem and would have saved a lot of headache.

 

I would check the fluid level first and foremost. The tacos and some other toyota vehicles have been known to be shipped with underfilled transmissions on some occasions. My 2007 (when it was new) used to hunt gears constantly while cruising on the interstate, any uphill grade would cause it to downshift and rev hard until you got to the top of the hill, gaining speed all the way. After I corrected the fluid level it now behaves how I think it should. Often it doesn't even downshift on grades, the torque converter just unlocks unless it's a steep enough hill to warrant a downshift. Your transmission may have a problem with the lockup clutch solenoid, if the torque converter won't unlock you can't downshift.... if the torque converter wasn't unlocking it would stall the engine when you stopped though.

 

@gearcruncher has a good thread about the A750 transmissions. I'd start there, @Boulder Taco

 

I do have some info that we have gathered over the years . Its all got to do with low fluid from the factory and how many times the fluid has overheated .
You can read it here https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...th-pics-for-second-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/

 

Just found out the issue was not a Transmission issue, but a secondary air intake pump, which caused the truck to go into "Limp Mode". Just found a thread on the air pump. Apparently this is not uncommon for 2012 Tacos.

 

Still wouldn't hurt to check the transmission fluid level, maybe do a drain and fill while you're at it. Glad you found your issue!

 

I know this thread has been dorm for a while. But I just got the shuddle between 2nd 3rd gear. I had my dealer master tech check it out and wasn't even on the road for 3 miles when he quickly said the torque converter was trashed and a new tranny would need to be replaced. The truck has 75k miles it's a 2013 trd sport prerunner.

I have extended warranty so it should be covered, my main concern is the truck is lifted on 33s (more like 32") and has a lift. Will the warranty "people" make a complaint on that? Will they blame it on the lift?

If so, is their anyway in defending myself to get it replaced?