Trans. not downshifting, is there a kit?

I have a '10 Tacoma. Got it with 60K, now sitting at 80K. I told the Service Mgr when I got it it was not downshifting out of 5th gear going up hills. He told me there was nothing wrong with the transmission without even looking at it. I asked my garage, they said to try flashing it by disconnecting the battery. I did that and it helped for a while, but now it is back to not down shifting when it is supposed to. It is the 4 banger, and the truck is heavy... I live in the hillcountry of Tx and it is full of hills, lol! It won't down shift going up the hills and the motor is getting lugged unless I stomp on the gas to get it to down shift. Then I am going too fast. ugh

Is there a shift kit that will fit this truck that I could put in it to get it to shift more readily, sooner? It needs to shift when the weight of the vehicle is too great for the engine at the speed and incline it is going up automatically. I shouldn't have to let off the gas and step back on it, or stomp on it to get it to shift. And even when I do these things, it will automatically shift into 5th again anyway and the motor can't handle the load.

Thanks,
Bob

 

If you have a 2.7L 4 cylinder, then you only have a 4-speed automatic. I think this is a common complaint with this engine/transmission combo. Mine does the same. It tries to get to top gear as quick as possible and it stays there even when it shouldn't. It's just programmed for fuel economy, not for drivability. I counteract this but just hitting the shifter over to 3rd. I pretty much always 'manually' shift it from 3rd to 4th and back when needed. Makes it feel pretty peppy.

 

so what is the problem ?

shift it by hand to one-under when you are on [whatever] hill

 

This is what I do. What's out pretty well.

 

put your foot in her more?

 

I test drove a 4 banger before I got trucky and noticed there would be tons of
me shifting out of overdrive to get up das hills. 4 banger will get you anywhere but it takes
a little more pilot input to make it smooth in the drumlins

 

No doubt. The programming on the auto is weird. It's one of the mean reasons most ppl suggest getting the 5-speed manual with the 4 banger. If you manually shift the auto, the difference isn't noticeable and the 2.7L is even a little peppy at times.

 

I think Trans-Go makes a shift kit.

 

No but it'll shift a f of a lot better.

 

Do you have the shift kit? I was thinking on getting one and installing it.

 

Have you tried downshifting manually at this time?

Reason being, I've had similar situations with the 2.7 auto at altitude/mountain terrain and it seems like it's stuck in 4th gear and not downshifting, but the reality is it's actually in 2nd gear and that's all the power that's available. I never go into L because it's a tall gear and I'm usually around 30-35MPH when this happens, which is way too high to be in that gear, as IIRC it puts me at over 4K RPM at 25MPH or so.

I don't have any mechanical issues, I just have issues with not enough motor and not enough gears.

I can have the pedal to the floor, be at 35MPH and falling, and my RPMs steadily decline until I hit the crest and start flattening out, then all is well again.

Food for thought, anyway.

Changing your speed is the biggest help, and at that point you might as well throw on your hazards and hope you don't get rear ended.

 

I'm out in the Hill Country as well. I don't have the same problem as you, but you may try checking the fluid level in your trans, might be low. If you want some help with that, Pm me your phone number, I'm in Leander.

 

That's one big hill. In 3rd, not too much slows my truck down under 60 mph. There is one hill that is about 20% grade that does put a hurting on it.

 

It's going into Tahoe, so like 7k feet elevation, don't recall the grade. But it's a long and sustained climb at altitude, 2.7 barely cuts it with a cab full of people and clothes, baby needs like stroller and whatnot.

 

just wonderinğ if the op has an actual concern . I know the a340 was famous for a sticking converter lock up valve

 

If it's an issue, I'm game to hear what.

I've been told it's a feature of an underpowered engine pulling too much weight up too steep of a hill at too high of an altitude.

But it sucks.. so.. how to diagnose?

 

A gentle tap to the brake pedal will turn the converter clutch off . That may be a good place to start .
It would be great if the OP had a scanner mind you ?

 

I had an UG but no longer do.

I have access to Torque, though.

 

Without an actual diagnosis , I am only jumping to conclusions here but for the hell of it , here is what I am talking bout .
http://www.sonnax.com/parts/2452-lockup-relay-control-valve-kit

When you get a chance , spend some time reading here
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...sions-write-up-your-4-speed-automatic.325531/

 

^ it sounds more to me it not coming out of lockup.