transmission slippage

Help,

Original owner of 2000 tacoma. 117,000 miles. Good maintenance record except none for transmission. Slight slippage when towing boat and what seems to be slight slippage when stopped at red light (more of a subtle jump).

What can I expect from this transmission? Am I losing it?

***Most importantly. Where do I go from here? Service this transmission now and what type of service? Or, leave it alone and expect to replace.

I prefer not to lose my transmission.

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

rmartinla

 

Have you checked the ATF level yet?
Not an expert here, but it could be the torque converter

 

Mine jumps slightly at lights when the compressor engages on the A/C. As for the slippage: drop the pan, clean the magnets, change the filter. Replace. That'll prolly help you out.

 

Check the fluid first, changing fluid will not fix slipping clutches (will probably make it worse) and if the filter is that clogged it's toast any way. If you pull the pan and there is brown mud in the pan that is clutch material so figure on an overhaul.

 

My expectation is that I will find a strainer inside the transmission rather than an actual filter. Can this strainer be cleaned and reused or do I pay the local toyota dealer for a new strainer assembly?

Do we have an alternative to purchasing these maintenance parts outside the dealer? If so, where please.

 

Should be a filter in it... There is on my 02. Try rockauto.com. Also put up a pic of your transmission fluid on a paper towel so we can see the color of it.

 

It is a plastic screen nothing more.

 

I'm pretty sure that there is a screen in there and not a filter. Dropping the pan isn't fun due to the dipstick going into the side of it either.

 

it's a filter. but you're the expert.

and if you don't want to do the diagnostics to fix it, then leave it alone until it dies. fixing things like transmission can be a real PITA but having the peace of mind that the issue has been identified and fixed properly is worth it

 

80% of problems can be diagnosed/fixed via the pan, that is, if you get it looked at before it finally fails.
Take it to a reputable trans shop to have it looked at.

 

thanks to all,

the slippage did not occur while towing during the last two fishing trips. seemed to occur only during the hottest part of our new orleans blistering summer. could heat or air temperature increase the occurrence of slippage??

or, perhaps fishing should last from sun up to sun down, then I wouldn't have a problem!

i have purchased all the products and tools required to replace the screen (filter) and fluid except only waiting for the screen (filter) to arrive via ups. as far as i can research, this pan has no gasket. does that sound correct??

this will be easy and is long over due. i will never neglect transmission service again.

here is another question - my son inherits this vehicle in december. i get to buy a new tacoma. is it best to consider pre-owned, or go with a new one?? i have my preference, but will consider your thoughts.

thanks again,

rmartinla

 

My opinion is to go new if you plan on keeping it until you die. This way you get every option you want or don't want. If you don't plan on keeping it for a while, or if you think of it as a machine to get the job done, then save some money and buy used.

 

just rebuilt one of these... A340F trans. not very fun. cheaper option is to buy a good used one off the internet. i had purchased one off ebay 4 500 shipped to my door.

tacomas are great starter trucks so congrats to you and your son.

 

***one more question -

When I crawled under the vehicle, the dip stick tube is attached to the transmission pan.

I did not expect this. I expected that I would be able to take the pan to the work bench for a cleaning. Will this tube hinder my efforts to remove the pan, remove the screen (filter) and clean the sealing surfaces for reinstalling the pan?? Is there a trick to working with the tube attached to the pan??

thanks for replies.

 

The tube is two pieces. When you drop the pan you'll have to wiggle it some and the two pieces will separate. Look closely and you'll see how it's designed.

 

Just remind yourself of this, these 'yota A340F trans are tough but very touchy about maint. neglect..

Congrats if thats what you paid, you found an idiot, myself & a few others scoured socal for several months a used one for my truck was found & the cheapest we found was about $1000

Mine was 1 piece....

 

Job done.

Dropped transmission pan. Oil was black but no dirt in pan bottom. Magnets had no metal shavings. Everything cleaned nicely and went back simple. Most difficulty in this job was cleaning original sealant from pan.

Measured the oil that came out and it was right under three quarts. Returned three quarts and it seems to measure a little over full.

Drove around neighborhood slowly for ten minutes shifting every few blocks. Ran good.
Let it sit for an hour, checked oil and took it to the faster highway. Ran good.

All guidance was useful.

Thanks

 

Nice.