HELP!! Possible Transmission Issue!!

[milgrad]

My wife drives an 08 Urban 4unner, prior to this she had an 06 Sport 4runner. So basically the same car. Anyways the transmission has been acting up. I have experienced it myself numerous times.

What happens is if you are going from reverse into drive, the vehicle never actually clicks into drive. You can press on the gas and nothing happens, just the RPM's go up. We then have to shift it into neutral and then back into drive for the vehicle to move. It is very annoying to say the least and a possible safety issue as well. Took it to the same dealer on two seperate occasions and they said it was fine no issues at all. I don't believe them as our past 4unner never had any issues like that with the transmission.

Also on occasion when we 1st start the vehicle we hear a loud noise, directly under the shifter on the vehicle??

Any ideas on either of these? I am getting tired of taking it back and forth to the dealer when they are not doing anything, yet we still experience the problems. HELP Please!!!

 

[eskimochaos]

My wife drives an 08 Urban 4unner, prior to this she had an 06 Sport 4runner. So basically the same car. Anyways the transmission has been acting up. I have experienced it myself numerous times.

What happens is if you are going from reverse into drive, the vehicle never actually clicks into drive. You can press on the gas and nothing happens, just the RPM's go up. We then have to shift it into neutral and then back into drive for the vehicle to move. It is very annoying to say the least and a possible safety issue as well. Took it to the same dealer on two seperate occasions and they said it was fine no issues at all. I don't believe them as our past 4unner never had any issues like that with the transmission.

Also on occasion when we 1st start the vehicle we hear a loud noise, directly under the shifter on the vehicle??

Any ideas on either of these? I am getting tired of taking it back and forth to the dealer when they are not doing anything, yet we still experience the problems. HELP Please!!!

Take a video of it and bring it to the dealer.

 

[alaskaman]

When you go into drive are you hearing the famous "clunk".

On the other issue, that is def odd. if it happens always when you start the car in the am (back out of driveway go into drive??) maybe park the vehicle overnight at the dealer with an appt to have them sit in the vehicle with you and see what you are experiencing.

 

[milgrad]

Yes we hear the clunk when going into drive...That isn't normal is it??

The dealer has seen the issue...they just said it is all "within" specs and there is nothing they can do.

 

[alaskaman]

I think that if you shift from reverse into drive and it does not engage that is not normal.........maybe try another dealer?

 

[milgrad]

Anybody else have any ideas on this??

 

[KB084RUNNER]

Yes, call several Toyota dealers and see if anyone has heard about this happening. Sounds to me like it is the shift controls not the trans.

 

[milgrad]

Anybody?? I talked to three dealers...None of them have heard of this issue...One dealer called the regional service people...they never heard of it. It is happening more and more, but it is not consistent...so the dealer has no idea...since no codes are being thrown etc..

 

[milgrad]

Below is some information I got from a Toyota mechanic from another state. I provided this info to my dealer, but they will not act upon unless the duplicate the problem. Does this seam like it could be the issue??


"ok, without getting too technical here I am very experienced with this vehicle and this transmission, I'm a litttle supprised that no codes have stored for shift performance......long story short here your transmission requires a special "WS" fluid and is completely sealed. The source of the issue here is that the transmission fluid is underfilled, known issue right from the factory. The dealer needs to follow the fill procedure for the transmission and then OVERFILL it by 1/2 quart. If they have any questions on this they need to call someone at technical assistance who knows what they are talking about rather then me trying to explain this to them through you.

Fluid level effects many things, there is no need for me to get too technical here since this is under warranty. Long story short low fluid causes more issues when cold or on an incline (especially when you combine both), have the dealer follow my advise from above and have them also check to see if any shift performance codes are "pending". Don't mean to sound cocky here I just know this setup very well and undereducated dealers annoy me. "

 

[Kmvreter]

Below is some information... Does this seam like it could be the issue??

"ok, ... The source of the issue here is that the transmission fluid is underfilled... "

Yes, that makes sense.
Not sure how to link to it but you could also search the forums for the tranny service procedure thread and check the level yourself (just to avoid the stealership if you are so inclined.)

 

[milgrad]

Well it is a sealed transmission and from what I am reading online special equipment is needed and you need to ensure that the fluid is at a certain level. The vehicle only has 5,000 miles on it, so I don't want to do it myself, nor do I really have the knowledge to do it.

But the dealer refuses unless the can re-produce the problem.

 

[Kmvreter]

... But the dealer refuses unless the can re-produce the problem.

So drop it off for an overnight stay (preferably on a cold/cool night) on their lot. Don't give them the keys. Then go there in the morning and duplicate the issue for them.

 

[milgrad]

That is what I want to do, but I am 30 miles from the dealer and have to take two kids to daycare in the mornings...Dealer will not give me a rental so it would be on my dime...It might have to come down to that, but for now I will just take it in each week until they can duplicate the problem.