Hard shift into Reverse when cold

Churchill

Churchill

New member
'14 SR5, just under 60,000 miles. 3 weeks ago I had the needle bearing in the front diff replaced (there is a TSB for this) by Toyota. If anyone has questions about that, PM me. I'm just about out of warranty and lucky I got that addressed!

Here's the next, new issue: I had been out of the country for about 10 days and our 4Runner had sat in the garage (about 40 degrees F) that time and not been used. . . I started the vehicle, and after about 10-15 seconds probably I'm guessing, I shifted into reverse and it did not grab that gear. Not really knowing what was going on and being distracted by 3 kids in car seats behind me, I gave it a just a little gas and then it clunked and went into Reverse gear.

Then one week later, after the vehicle had sat for two days, I started it up on Monday and same thing, it did not want to go into reverse immediately. This time I shifted through the gears and went back to reverse and it went into gear without clunking.

I called my Toyota dealer and they thought it would be best if I dropped it off Friday night and then they'll look at it Monday morning and see if it does the same thing it was doing to me after sitting.

I'm just curious to know what is going on. Guessing the tranny fluid could be changed?
 
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Churchill said:
'14 SR5, just under 60,000 miles. 3 weeks ago I had the needle bearing in the front diff replaced (there is a TSB for this) by Toyota. If anyone has questions about that, PM me. I'm just about out of warranty and lucky I got that addressed!

Here's the next, new issue: I had been out of the country for about 10 days and our 4Runner had sat in the garage (about 40 degrees F) that time and not been used. . . I started the vehicle, and after about 10-15 seconds probably I'm guessing, I shifted into reverse and it did not grab that gear. Not really knowing what was going on and being distracted by 3 kids in car seats behind me, I gave it a just a little gas and then it clunked and went into Reverse gear.

Then one week later, after the vehicle had sat for two days, I started it up on Monday and same thing, it did not want to go into reverse immediately. This time I shifted through the gears and went back to reverse and it went into gear without clunking.

I called my Toyota dealer and they thought it would be best if I dropped it off Friday night and then they'll look at it Monday morning and see if it does the same thing it was doing to me after sitting.

I'm just curious to know what is going on. Guessing the tranny fluid could be changed?
Click to expand...

If the problem started after you had the TSB done, chances are the work they did is causing this problem.
 
when was the fluid checked last or ever ? when the temps drop the cold fluid shrinks , so if low then it takes longer for the pressure to rise to get gear engagement.

this type problem is usually from high mile vehicles that have a wear problem causing low tranny pressures. in your case my guess low tranny fluid .
 
catrains said:
when was the fluid checked last or ever ? when the temps drop the cold fluid shrinks , so if low then it takes longer for the pressure to rise to get gear engagement.

this type problem is usually from high mile vehicles that have a wear problem causing low tranny pressures. in your case my guess low tranny fluid .
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Supposedly, Toyota would have checked that at my last oil change. I'll be honest that I have not checked the fluids myself. . .I know they changed the front diff fluid when they replaced the needle bearing(s).
 
Churchill said:
Supposedly, Toyota would have checked that at my last oil change. I'll be honest that I have not checked the fluids myself. . .I know they changed the front diff fluid when they replaced the needle bearing(s).
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I would ask the dealership if they check all the drive train fluids when they do your oil changes . My guess is unless you pay for and ask them to do this checking it is not being done. it does take time and I doubt Toyota will pay for this extra work.

they may just check for leaks no leaks then its all good..so they assume that the fluid levels are good.

I have heard of tranny fluid leaking into the front diff , I can be wrong ! maybe that was transfer case
 
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catrains said:
I would ask the dealership if they check all the drive train fluids when they do your oil changes . My guess is unless you pay for and ask them to do this checking it is not being done. it does take time and I doubt Toyota will pay for this extra work.

they may just check for leaks no leaks then its all good..so they assume that the fluid levels are good.

I have heard of tranny fluid leaking into the front diff , I can be wrong !
Click to expand...

Pretty sure checking fluids is something they do with their 110 point inspection they do with the synthetic oil change.
 
catrains said:
I would ask the dealership if they check all the drive train fluids when they do your oil changes . My guess is unless you pay for and ask them to do this checking it is not being done. it does take time and I doubt Toyota will pay for this extra work.

they may just check for leaks no leaks then its all good..so they assume that the fluid levels are good.

I have heard of tranny fluid leaking into the front diff , I can be wrong ! maybe that was transfer case
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No dipstick for the 5th Gen or the 4th for that matter. *Gasp* quick search on the forum revealed that faster than the PDF of the owner's manual. :hiding:

Thanks for the help and advice. I'll report back next week!
 
Churchill said:
Pretty sure checking fluids is something they do with their 110 point inspection they do with the synthetic oil change.
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Hm, I'd bet against that happening. Interesting point however. Note to self to ask about this at next OC.

Let's see: 110 point inspection. Even at 30 sec each, that's nearly an hour ... nope, not happening (for free).
 
philsey said:
Hm, I'd bet against that happening. Interesting point however. Note to self to ask about this at next OC.

Let's see: 110 point inspection. Even at 30 sec each, that's nearly an hour ... nope, not happening (for free).
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I always wonder what they check.

I changed the diff fluid and when I brought it in for an oil change they told me that the rear diff needs changing...

I told them I did it the weekend before and it's ****ing pristine.
 
LandCruiser said:
I always wonder what they check.

I changed the diff fluid and when I brought it in for an oil change they told me that the rear diff needs changing...

I told them I did it the weekend before and it's ****ing pristine.
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family member always uses Toyota service. they said the wiper blades need replacing. wiper blade a month old. she calls me , I say the blade cannot be bad [Toyota part] tell them to save this blade for you. she brings the wiper blade to me and it was perfect ? cost to do the wiper blade $35 USD.
 
According to my 5th gen maintenance manual:

- every 15k the differential oil is supposed to be "inspected"
- every 30k the transmission is supposed to be checked for "signs of leakage"

I'm guessing that Toyota techs follow their own maintenance suggestions, but probably not a lot more.

However if you drive under the "special operating conditions" (lots of dirt roads, towing, heavy loading):

- every 30k, change diff oils
- every 60k, change transmission fluid
 
catrains said:
family member always uses Toyota service. they said the wiper blades need replacing. wiper blade a month old. she calls me , I say the blade cannot be bad [Toyota part] tell them to save this blade for you. she brings the wiper blade to me and it was perfect ? cost to do the wiper blade $35 USD.
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Unfortunately, we cant expect service departments to look out for our best interests. Thats what happens when you incentivize pushing certain repairs and services. Not all are like this, but its far too common imo, and they tend to prey on the uninformed.
 
I recently had my OC (70K) and was presented with a list of "recommended" services -- basically every fluid in the vehicle!

The service writer stressed twice: "we base this on time, not mileage".

:lalala:
 
philsey said:
Hm, I'd bet against that happening. Interesting point however. Note to self to ask about this at next OC.

Let's see: 110 point inspection. Even at 30 sec each, that's nearly an hour ... nope, not happening (for free).
Click to expand...

That's a very good point!

But then again, I've casually "watched" at the quick lube places and they have a dedicated tech that is doing the "inspection" while another tech does the oil change. So, who knows how Toyota does it. I never get the impression, at least at my dealer, that they're not doing something they say they are.
 
bofa said:
Unfortunately, we cant expect service departments to look out for our best interests. Thats what happens when you incentivize pushing certain repairs and services. Not all are like this, but its far too common imo, and they tend to prey on the uninformed.
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yes my family member did create this incentivize action. now think about this we/she was not there. could be somehow that wiper blade got damaged some how right!

the dealerships no matter what manufacturer should be trusted. if they do take this type of rip off action it should be reported.

we did post reviews about this dealership and it does appear we were not the only customers that had this type rip off stuff occurring .

my guess is the customer care is part of the profit to do real repairs or just make up stuff to increase the service managers income.
 
Churchill said:
That's a very good point!

But then again, I've casually "watched" at the quick lube places and they have a dedicated tech that is doing the "inspection" while another tech does the oil change. So, who knows how Toyota does it. I never get the impression, at least at my dealer, that they're not doing something they say they are.
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I have read a 17 point inspection , but have not read any document from a dealership or Toyota exactly what is inspected specifically.

some forum members have stated that when asked what other service they do , the service manager they stated we just do oil changes. some said tire rotations as well.

my family member pays for the lube servicing of the 2008 T4R at Toyota dealer ship . one tire had low air pressure so they did not check that out and they were paid to rotate the tires also. had a leak nail in tire .
 
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