2007 Sport V6 Transmission Issues?

[El Rorro]

Hi Guys -

I have been happily driving my 4Runner for the last two years. Except for this issue (read below) that has been there all the time. So finally I have decided to do something about it to get it fixed.

THE ISSUE: As I stop (going on D) on my uphill driveway - something I have to do occasionaly to wait for the garage door to fully open - it feels like 1st gear totally disengages in the fraction of a second that it takes me to move my foot from the brake to the gas pedal (and which causes a slight roll back of the truck). Then, as I push slightly on the gas to continue the climb into the garage, I can hear a grinding noise and the roll back continues... At this point, it forces me to stop again and hold the brake with my left foot while pushing the gas with the right foot. This appears to be the only way to make 1st gear to re-engage...

Is this something anybody has experienced? My first thought was perhaps the AT fluid is low (?), so there I am trying to locate the dipstick, to no avail. Of course, after reading some old treads in this forum I realize there is none! It is a sealed system!

Any comments/advise will be highly appreciated. By the way more details on the truck. It is a 2007 V6 Sport Edition (2WD), with about 63,000 miles on it.

Reagrds,

El Rorro

 

[Doozi]

Based on your description, it sounds like it's the "anti-rollback" or whatever Toyota calls it... like "hill start assist". I was a little concerned when mine first did that, but it's just the anti-lock system firing. The first time I heard it was in my driveway, too under the exact circumstances. I know, it sounds terrible! You should try the "DAC" on a really steep, gravely hill!

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

It is completely normal. I have a 2003 V8 and it does the same thing but only on really steep hills. If the engine is not making enough torque or HP at idle on a incline, and the 4Runner rolls back Toyota made a system to automatically apply the brakes so no damage can be done the the transmission, engine, axle, or any other components. If you do it in the dark, you will see the brake lights come on when the noise happens. Like I said, it's called Hill start assist and it's completely normal.

 

[Atlanta_man]

I believe the hill assist system drops off after trying for 5 seconds
expecting you to give it the gas or brake by then

 

[El Rorro]

Thanks for the replies so far.

So, does that mean the hill assist system comes also in automatic transmissions (apparently I was not clear mine is an AT)? Hmmm... I thught they would install such systems on manual shifts only due to the clutch engaging (or dis- ) issue on steep hills from stand still. As a matter of fact, I had this on a BMW manual shift. And, sure enough, it works great...

 

[Doozi]

I think that all Gen4's have an automatic and I think it's just a standard feature. You're right though, it's typically something you see with manual transmissions... my manual '08 Subaru had a similar system, but would just hold the brakes for a second or two.

 

[ClockWork]

Normal as others have said.

 

[Whitebeauty]

U can check the fluid level on the pan...I do believe that it is the plug with the allen key.. I do it all the time...

 

[Whitebeauty]

U can check the fluid level on the pan...I do believe that it is the plug with the allen key.. I do it all the time...

 

[4Runner4.7]

Yup, Normal.

 

[ClockWork]

U can check the fluid level on the pan...I do believe that it is the plug with the allen key.. I do it all the time...

Isn't that an overflow drain for when filling the transmission? How can you check the level - assuming you're checking for lost fluid which would prevent "excess" from draining out?

 

[smichaelq]

I would love a manual (& diesel) 4Runner...