NEW 4Runner Transmission Problem? Already?!

[Georgia-4Runner]

Not really a transmission problem...

Has anyone made any progress in finding a fix for this? I just bought an '06 V8 4Runner two weeks ago and have this exact same inconsistent acceleration changes when the A/C is on. My family has had 4Runners, Land Cruisers, a Tundra, a FJ, and a LX450 and have never had such a feeling. The LC has the same tranny and V8 and doesn't have this issue.

It is definitely related to the A/C being on and it doesn't seem to make a difference whether it is on recirculate or not.

Anybody else have this issue? Any thoughts?

Thank you!!!

 

[alaskaman]

I remember your original post. did you get some good suggestions from here? sounds like if so they did not work. remind me has the dealer driven it and seen the problem 1st hand..............?

 

[RPC]

Hey Alaska. Yeah, we got to the bottom of it and it was due entirely to replies from ya'll.

It ended up being the AC compressor cycling on and off. I suppose it was my inexperience with the 4Runner that lead me to think it was transmission related, but the master tech Toyota sent out from San Ramon, CA determined it was the AC.

Admittedly the issue still exists and is as frustrating as the day I took the truck off the lot. The corporate line I was fed was "The vehicle is operating as designed" and that there was no fix for the problem. From the sounds of some on this forum, they experience the same thing in their V8's but it doesn't make me feel any better about it. In all honesty, the issue is nothing more than an irritation, I just didn't expect the truck surge like an '88 Olds when the AC is turned on. This isn't the only complaint I have about "unfixable" issues I've come across with the truck but I'm tired of dealing with Toyota.

They said the vehicle was "operating as designed", I wasn't satisfied with that response and filed a CA lemon law claim, they threw a 100K mile Platinium extended warranty at me to knock off the griping and I put it on the back burner. I'll tell you what, with the issues I've faced with this thing, this 4Runner will likely be the last Toyota I ever own...

 

[alaskaman]

remind me what your 4Runner is doing when the AC goes on or off? Also, which dealer did you go to in Sac?

 

[nc211]

I've only read the three posts prior to my reply on this entire thread, and can easily guess what he's complaining about with the a/c unit.... two words: power surges...right?

Mine does this too, and I agree, it is very annoying. It happens at all speeds, from just sitting at a stop light-when the a/c kicks on it revs up the engine ever so slightly enough to put enough pressure on the transmission to push the car forward, requiring you to put more pressure on the brakes to stay still (I have brand new OEM brakes all around and it still does this) - To cruising down the highway at 80mph and feeling the "kick" of the a/c compressor coming on and off.

My 95' LS400 never did this, my current GS430 doesn't do this either, both Toyota V8 engines. But the 4runner is horrible. My only guess is due to the nature of the vehicle itself, a big interior SUV. I'm guessing the engineers designed a monster a/c compressor to service the larger-than-sedan interior space.

Either way though, as noted in the other posts about the LC's and others not doing this, I certainly agree that it is irritating. I've found the 4runner to be somewhat of a "crude" suv, with it's overly boosted brakes, notchy a/c compressor, and bangin' around drive shaft yolks. But, I still love it.

 

[RPC]

Alaska, nc211 hit it right on the nose. Sitting at a stop light, doing 75 on the freeway, doesn't matter- when the compressor kicks on, the engine surges to accommodate the power draw. We own a V6 Camry XLE and I can't ever tell when the AC is on. This is the first V8 I have owned so I don't have a lot of experience to compare it to, but I'm surprised that the AC can affect power dramatically enough to dip the speed on the freeway.

I also agree with nc211 in that I've come to love this thing, just trying to make a good thing better I guess...

 

[Georgia-4Runner]

Hey Guys...I absolutely agree with the recent posts above. At least for me, I have never experienced such an irritating feeling from a car that is "operating as designed." My last vehicle was a 2006 F150 with the 5.4L V8. I can promise you I never had any idea whether the A/C compressor was on or off. None of our 4 Land Cruisers evern had a problem and the current one has a V8. It is unfortunate to think there is no fix!!

 

[eskimochaos]

Alaska, nc211 hit it right on the nose. Sitting at a stop light, doing 75 on the freeway, doesn't matter- when the compressor kicks on, the engine surges to accommodate the power draw. We own a V6 Camry XLE and I can't ever tell when the AC is on. This is the first V8 I have owned so I don't have a lot of experience to compare it to, but I'm surprised that the AC can affect power dramatically enough to dip the speed on the freeway.

I also agree with nc211 in that I've come to love this thing, just trying to make a good thing better I guess...

Are we sure your not feeling the hydraulic fan clutch engage/disengage in the summer heat? Its driven by the crank and you can definitely feel it when it engages.

 

[nc211]

But wouldn't that fan kick on to cool the engine, regardless if the a/c was on or not? I know my 4runner acts like this in the winter months too when I have to kick on the a/c to defog the windshield. Basically, anytime that compressor kicks in, it makes the power band go yo-yo.

By the way, eskimo.....i wish you would post the link to the full run of that avatar you've got there!

 

[eskimochaos]

But wouldn't that fan kick on to cool the engine, regardless if the a/c was on or not? I know my 4runner acts like this in the winter months too when I have to kick on the a/c to defog the windshield. Basically, anytime that compressor kicks in, it makes the power band go yo-yo.

By the way, eskimo.....i wish you would post the link to the full run of that avatar you've got there!

Google Shay Laren GIF.....make sure your not at work or the Mrs. isnt around because....well you know.

Back on topic, it sounds like your situation is unique and not normal. I have been running AC and dont notice when the compressor turns on or off other than the fluctuation in the temperature of the air coming out of the vents.

 

[Georgia-4Runner]

Are we sure your not feeling the hydraulic fan clutch engage/disengage in the summer heat? Its driven by the crank and you can definitely feel it when it engages.

I thought electric fans wouldn't typically be cutting on and off at highway speeds since the radiator/engine would be getting plenty of airflow. Is that not the case?

 

[eskimochaos]

I thought electric fans wouldn't typically be cutting on and off at highway speeds since the radiator/engine would be getting plenty of airflow. Is that not the case?

They arent electric, thats why you can "feel" them when they engage. They are controlled by a drive belt that engages with a hydraulic clutch - thus they are powered from the engine crank and not electricity.

The car goes from sounding like a car to sounding like a giant vacuum due to the massive amount of air it moves...when you step on the gas at least.

 

[wis99ski]

"I've found the 4runner to be somewhat of a "crude" suv, with it's overly boosted brakes, notchy a/c compressor, and bangin' around drive shaft yolks. But, I still love it."


I FEEL THE EXACT SAME WAY!!!

ALSO feel the rpms jump from 500-800 and back down at traffic lights WITHOUT the AC on...

 

[morphius909]

Sounds like a V8 problem. I can't even tell when my A/C is on other then the cool air blowing in my cabin.

 

[charlier180]

Sounds like a V8 problem. I can't even tell when my A/C is on other then the cool air blowing in my cabin.

May not be a problem with all V8s as I do not really notice when the AC is running.
This morning at a stop light I turned the AC on and noticed the Tach showed an increase in RPMs of around 100.
Certainly not a noticeable surge (to me) like others here have experienced.
Have also taken some trips recently with the AC running and did not notice any surges at traffic lights or doing 55-75 mph on the highway.

Sorry to hear that some here are experiencing a surge problem.

 

[RPC]

Must be nice, Morphius! Feels like this thing loses a cylinder or two when using the AC, so I can guess at what it would be like to drive a V6!

Eskimo- you're over my head with the fan clutch question, but I'm 99.9% certain this comes back to the AC/compressor. The Master Tech that showed up to take a look and Maita's Shop Forman both cited the AC as the culprit and it seems like a growing number of folks on this forum also attribute it to the AC from experience they're having with their V8s.

If there was one thing I could change/fix on my truck, addressing this problem would be it.

 

[tipotex]

Sounds like a V8 problem. I can't even tell when my A/C is on other then the cool air blowing in my cabin.

Ditto.

 

[wis99ski]

May not be a problem with all V8s as I do not really notice when the AC is running.
This morning at a stop light I turned the AC on and noticed the Tach showed an increase in RPMs of around 100.
Certainly not a noticeable surge (to me) like others here have experienced.
Have also taken some trips recently with the AC running and did not notice any surges at traffic lights or doing 55-75 mph on the highway.

Sorry to hear that some here are experiencing a surge problem.

Well I never had a surge when driving like the thread started stated. Holding the gas at a steady 70 and it jumping up and down..never had that problem with my 08 v8..

 

[Georgia-4Runner]

Well I never had a surge when driving like the thread started stated. Holding the gas at a steady 70 and it jumping up and down..never had that problem with my 08 v8..

...Good way to put it.

I'm taking to the dealership tomorrow due to a burning smell from the back tires/axle (smells like new brakes, but don't have new brakes) and am going to ask about the frequent changes in power when the A/C is on. I don't expect much progress. I'll let you guys know either way.

 

[riverider]

Must be nice, Morphius! Feels like this thing loses a cylinder or two when using the AC, so I can guess at what it would be like to drive a V6!

Eskimo- you're over my head with the fan clutch question, but I'm 99.9% certain this comes back to the AC/compressor. The Master Tech that showed up to take a look and Maita's Shop Forman both cited the AC as the culprit and it seems like a growing number of folks on this forum also attribute it to the AC from experience they're having with their V8s.

If there was one thing I could change/fix on my truck, addressing this problem would be it.

I have never noticed any real change in how the V6 engine in my 08 4Runner preforms when the A/C is turned on. If your seeing a change in how your V8 runs when the A/C in turned on their must be a control problem with your engines computer.