"Rumble Strip" Transmission issue

[Ducman]

Not Good

I'm on my 4th drain and fill and I still have the issue.

Again, my 'rumble strip' issue is only present under very light acceleration between 40-50mph when in 'D'. Driving in '4' it never happens.


I've read over 100 threads about this I bet. It seems like this issue is pretty widespread and many FJ, Tundra, and Tacoma owners experience it at under 100,000 miles which to me makes it pretty clear there is a design flaw here somewhere. I've read about a fair amount of Toyota mini vans with it, several newer Chrysler vehicles seem to be hit too.

I've also seen way too many posts from people who either got a new torque converter, transmission or both and then had the issue come back even after the new parts were installed.
I'm extremely discouraged and VERY disappointed. I researched easily a grand total of 40 hours of solid reading before I decided on purchasing a 4Runner, found a really nice 1 owner one and now with not even 80k on my 'new super cool 100k WS transmission' I have this transmission issue. :dammit:

The truck didn't even have so much as a door ding or scratch anywhere on it and I have maintenance records so I'm pretty confident the thing was never abused (I know its never been abused in my ownership). Interior was mint with no scratches and no tears or rips in any seats. This seems pretty clear to me that it's a transmission defect so I feel robbed that I should have to pay for it.

I love this truck so much, but if I can't get this resolved through fluid changes or something else reasonable $-wise I may just trade it in.

 

[CEPhD]

My two Cents

In our case (2005 V6-4x4) that the partial fluid exchange has eliminated the issue for us. Granted, I have not pushed my luck and really tried to reproduce the issue by holding it for extended periods of time in the 38-50 mph range.

In our normal routes around town at normal driving speeds, IT IS ALL GONE. Will it come back, perhaps. If it does, will I simply do another ~$25 drain and refill, you betcha. I do think something is probably wrong (not just fluid) but if we can limp our trannys along by swapping fluid out, that seems to be the financially prudent route to take.

What bothers me the most is the ultra light weight of the fluid in this transmission. I know that this is kind of the direction things are heading with higher fuel mileage and lower noise/weight being big design considerations. I am really kind of afraid that what ever is going on here might be taking a toll on the fluid, perhaps causing it to loose efficacy WAY earlier than "lifetime." With this in mind, a relatively inexpensive fluid change (full flush or drain and refill) seem like no brainers, maybe as early as 30-45K. With the advent of Wal Mart "WS Compatable except Hybrids" fluid, this gets even easier.

I must admit, this experience has kind of soured me on Toyota a little bit. In particular the caviler attitude regarding the changing of transmission fluid. "The fluid is special and lasts the life of the transmission." "You can't change it at home without a Toyota specific scanner tool." Statements like these kind of push my buttons. Time will tell if I continue to feel this way, but I may be heading back to the blue oval for the next car purchase. Have you seen these Ecoboost things...

 

[riteshcarla]

I'm on my 4th drain and fill and I still have the issue.

Again, my 'rumble strip' issue is only present under very light acceleration between 40-50mph when in 'D'. Driving in '4' it never happens.


I've read over 100 threads about this I bet. It seems like this issue is pretty widespread and many FJ, Tundra, and Tacoma owners experience it at under 100,000 miles which to me makes it pretty clear there is a design flaw here somewhere. I've read about a fair amount of Toyota mini vans with it, several newer Chrysler vehicles seem to be hit too.

I've also seen way too many posts from people who either got a new torque converter, transmission or both and then had the issue come back even after the new parts were installed.
I'm extremely discouraged and VERY disappointed. I researched easily a grand total of 40 hours of solid reading before I decided on purchasing a 4Runner, found a really nice 1 owner one and now with not even 80k on my 'new super cool 100k WS transmission' I have this transmission issue. :dammit:

The truck didn't even have so much as a door ding or scratch anywhere on it and I have maintenance records so I'm pretty confident the thing was never abused (I know its never been abused in my ownership). Interior was mint with no scratches and no tears or rips in any seats. This seems pretty clear to me that it's a transmission defect so I feel robbed that I should have to pay for it.

I love this truck so much, but if I can't get this resolved through fluid changes or something else reasonable $-wise I may just trade it in.

Its not a good feeling at all. Our truck has 103k and the powertrain warranty expired at 100k! Sucks to be me. We bought ours brand new with 4km's on it and we've taken it to the dealers for ALL work. Everything was on time and done if the dealer suggested it.

Ours does the same issue. Low speed, always in D so basically 5th gear. If it upshifts then the problem is gone so 4th has no issues. The other thing i noticed was that it's always between 1000 - 1500rpm in D on a slight load so slight uphill or bumpy road etc. It just started happening like i said 3 months ago. We've had ours since June 2004 and all has been great until now.

This is my wifes truck so the offroading she's done is a few curbs. It's 99.5% sealed road vehicle. Just called the dealer and they are still looking at it.

 

[riteshcarla]

So picked up the truck. As per the service techs, it's the transmission fluid. It's causing the torque convertor to shudder which is what we are feeling. They switched out the fluids. So far, i've had all three diffs flushed and the transmission fluid flushed. Wife drove it back. 10km's from dealer and wham, back to shuddering. Called the dealer back and the tech says that we need to drive it a bit to let the fluids pump through the systems and coat the gears etc. OK, we'll give it a try but not holding our breath.

In a nutshell, problem not solved.:sobbing:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Our transmission was spec'd with TypeIV originally. If I were you guys I'd figure I had little to lose and give some type IV a try. The slightly heavier viscosity will probably smooth it out. Just a thought. I once read a Toyota document on WS and it said if TypeIV was used the driver MAY noticed delayed/sluggish transmission performance in very cold conditions but that's it. There was no "your transmission will blow up and you will likely die in the incident" warning.


Here's some similar tales and worth a read as you ponder trying TypeIV. (NOTE: TypeIV to WS is very much like DexronIII to DexronVI.)
Rethinking Dex VI - Bob Is The Oil Guy
:cheers:

 

[Blue05]

So picked up the truck. As per the service techs, it's the transmission fluid. It's causing the torque convertor to shudder which is what we are feeling. They switched out the fluids. So far, i've had all three diffs flushed and the transmission fluid flushed. Wife drove it back. 10km's from dealer and wham, back to shuddering. Called the dealer back and the tech says that we need to drive it a bit to let the fluids pump through the systems and coat the gears etc. OK, we'll give it a try but not holding our breath.

In a nutshell, problem not solved.:sobbing:

Hi guys

I recently bought bought an 05 with only 60k and about the 65k mark it started to do the same vibration. I'll be going to my dealer and mechanic on Thursday, if I get any good info I'll let you guys know. Hopefully between us we can get this figured out

On a side note has anyone had a complete failure from this that you guys know about. Or does it just do that forever. If there was a failure that would help us in trying to determine the problem.

 

[eskimochaos]

Are you guys 100% its the trans and not some harmonic vibration due to the engine? The V8 has no EGR system and has been known to vibrate harmonically in certain RPM ranges.

Furthermore, I know when it starts getting cold, my rear diff starts whining and produces a similar harmonic vibration that is quite audible at certain speeds.

I doubt its a transmission issue, perhaps its a design flaw in the mounting or lack of vibration dampers on the frame that produces this. the 100's frame is covered in vibration dampers and has almost identical drive trains. (engine and trans) wise.

 

[Blue05]

Are you guys 100% its the trans and not some harmonic vibration due to the engine? The V8 has no EGR system and has been known to vibrate harmonically in certain RPM ranges.

Furthermore, I know when it starts getting cold, my rear diff starts whining and produces a similar harmonic vibration that is quite audible at certain speeds.

I doubt its a transmission issue, perhaps its a design flaw in the mounting or lack of vibration dampers on the frame that produces this. the 100's frame is covered in vibration dampers and has almost identical drive trains. (engine and trans) wise.

You might be right about a engine balance issue. Going to start looking into this and i hope it's just something simple or not a problem. I haven't read any transmission or engine failures from this so you might be right. The only odd thing that we need to look into is why some of us have it and some don't V6 or V8 engine.

 

[riteshcarla]

Are you guys 100% its the trans and not some harmonic vibration due to the engine? The V8 has no EGR system and has been known to vibrate harmonically in certain RPM ranges.

Furthermore, I know when it starts getting cold, my rear diff starts whining and produces a similar harmonic vibration that is quite audible at certain speeds.

I doubt its a transmission issue, perhaps its a design flaw in the mounting or lack of vibration dampers on the frame that produces this. the 100's frame is covered in vibration dampers and has almost identical drive trains. (engine and trans) wise.

I would think it but why would it happen 6years after. Mine started happening about 2 months ago. If it was an engine vibration, i figured it would have happened sooner? I do have a vibration on the front driveline which apparently is somewhat normal around 120km/h. I'm not sure where to go right now. My dealer had mentioned that if it comes back to call them back. Well, it hasn't gone away so i'll be calling them back, again.

Let me know if anyone else makes any progress.

 

[CEPhD]

Vibration

I don't buy the engine vibration thing for a couple of reasons. First, the engine passes through this RPM range in all the other gears (and at idle) without issue. Second, for there to be trouble with the V8s and the V6s (two different motors) both at the same points (3-4 and 4-5 transmission shifts) seems very unlikely. Third, on the Tacomas (same power train) and the Tundras (different power train) the factory diagnosed the rumble strip issue as a transmission mount problem IIRC. This did not fix anyone's problems.

For a little update, our 2005 4x4 V6 is still "fixed" by doing the drain and refill with Walmart Type VI. CJ may be on to something with the "more viscous fluid theory." Certainly, if the transmission was originally designed for the Land Cruiser line when only Type IV existed, it would lead one to believe that the risk of mixing in a few quarts of Type IV would not grenade the transmission.

 

[riteshcarla]

I have to agree as well. I doubt it's an engine vibration issue. Here's a question for everyone else that's having this issue. When did you start noticing this? Mine started a few months AFTER i had my fluids flushed. That was this year April. I noticed it in July though. We've had our truck since 2004 and no issues at all before. What's funny is that i had the flush done, then drove over 1000km's on a road trip the next day and nothing:redbrick:

I figured if it was a fluid issue, i would have noticed something. I'm wondering if there is something damaged ever so slightly that is causing this due to the fluid flush and now even with the fluid change again, it's still there.

 

[dwulffusa]

Mine has done this since new. I took it back to the dealer a number of times within the first few months and they said they couldnt identify any issue. I learned to live with it and dont really notice it anymore.
Also happens in 5th O/D at about 40mph, 45mph+ and its gone. I tried to get the dealer to change the trans fluid at the 90,000mile service and they wouldnt.... Now at 105,000miles. Good to see positive results from a simple fluid change.

 

[CEPhD]

About 90k for us

That is when the trouble started...

Does it kind of blow your mind when you say, "Hey, can you change my transmission fluid? I have money." And the service guy at the dealership says, "Sorry it's lifetime fluid. I would prefer to lose you as a customer and not have your money."

It's interesting to see that someone has had this trouble from the get go. That seems to mimic the Tundra and Tacoma guys...

 

[ripplerat]

I'm not sure if I am experiencing similar issues. I recently purchased a '04 V8 Sport 4x4. I had never driven 1 before and was coming from driving a pretty smooth Infiniti FX45 for the past 5 years. Lifestyle change (urban to boonies) required new wheels and I've always liked the 4Runner for it's general utility and style. Anyhow, I've been noticing a slight increase in vibration in the steering column and gas pedal. However, I'm not sure I'd compare it to a rumble strip. Just not smooth just under 50mph. As it is now, I don't think it will bother me as long as I can get some reassurance that it isn't a problem or the beginnings of a problem. I intend to bring it in to a dealer for a general check up. I will also see if a tech can take it for a spin. Assuming they say all is ok, I'll try to stay ignorantly bliss.

 

[ripplerat]

Forgot to mention that it's got 67K on it. Bought it from a state cop. He seemed to be on top of his stuff. But you never know...

 

[Blue05]

Got the car back from the stealership and didn't really get anywhere. I went on a test drive with the foremen and the said that it was normal drive line vibration. He took a look at everything and said it was all ok. HE said that changing the motor and engine mounts may solve it but they won't cover that under warranty.

Gonna go to my regualr mechaninc soon and see what he can make of it.

 

[riteshcarla]

So after driving for a week, it's only getting worse. I'm booked in again with the dealer to see if they can make any progress. I'm also noticing that there is a slight vibration at the lower speeds, 20 - 40 km/h for me. Its not on the steering but felt through the seats.

I talked to 2 other guys with the exact same issues but they claim that it went away but then again, they sold their trucks pretty soon after so may just be covering their asses with the new owners maybe. Problem for them was never solved mechanically. They 'claim' it just went away.....

Too bad my luck isn't like that. My wife is starting to freak out. She's thinking it's not safe anymore and we should sell. I may go down that path if it's not solved soon.

 

[ripplerat]

Brought mine into the dealership and according to mechanic all is good. Beyond general 27 point inspection, they took it for a test drive and said all checked out fine. I hate to say it, but I'm still not convinced and I'm hoping to learn more from you guys...

 

[riteshcarla]

So had my truck back at the dealer and they are sure it's the torque convertor. (Talked to ecare etc bla bla bla). I going ahead to replace it. will let you guys know more once it's done. The part was ordered so should be here by friday so truck goes in monday. :cry2:

 

[eskimochaos]

any update to this.

I wouldnt be surprised if this does not fix the issue