"Rumble Strip" Transmission issue

[CookieRoe]

damnit

At 125,700 now. I'm starting to experience the "rumble strip" symptom. Only happens in 5th gear while under light load. Annoying. At first I thought something was vibrating under the hood. Anyway, I have to get her inspected (state) in the coming weeks, so I'll have the stealer do the "flush" (they have a specialized machine that isn't harsh, whatever that means. Anyway, I've had this done about 40,000 miles ago).

I'll report back.

 

[dkyleb]

At 125,700 now. I'm starting to experience the "rumble strip" symptom. Only happens in 5th gear while under light load. Annoying. At first I thought something was vibrating under the hood. Anyway, I have to get her inspected (state) in the coming weeks, so I'll have the stealer do the "flush" (they have a specialized machine that isn't harsh, whatever that means. Anyway, I've had this done about 40,000 miles ago).

I'll report back.

You had a flush done 40,000 miles ago and you're now experiencing issues?

 

[CookieRoe]

You had a flush done 40,000 miles ago and you're now experiencing issues?

Yep. I had it done about 80,000 on the clock. Cost me something like $300 (worth it to me). Thus far, changing all the fluid out seems to work most of the time for others. I planned on changing the ATF every 50K miles anyway.

Ed

 

[dkyleb]

Yep. I had it done about 80,000 on the clock. Cost me something like $300 (worth it to me). Thus far, changing all the fluid out seems to work most of the time for others. I planned on changing the ATF every 50K miles anyway.

Ed

There seems to be a lot of mixed reports. You had yours done at the dealer, correct?

There are several reports of people going 250,000+ miles with no flush or drain/fill with no issues. The WS fluid is advertised as a lifetime fluid. Who knows what method of maintenance is effective...

 

[CookieRoe]

There seems to be a lot of mixed reports. You had yours done at the dealer, correct?

There are several reports of people going 250,000+ miles with no flush or drain/fill with no issues. The WS fluid is advertised as a lifetime fluid. Who knows what method of maintenance is effective...

Yes, I had it done at a Toyota dealer.

As far as others not experiencing this, I dunno, maybe they are heavier footed than me. If I tip into more power (downshift), the rumble goes away.

I think it's been established that "lifetime" loosely translates to "100,000 miles" (which is probably when Toyota thinks people will trade their car in, thus "lifetime"). A lexus dealer in town told me to leave the ATF alone in my parents cars. He said, "Lexus doesn't want us to change it". I countered by saying, "Lexus doesn't own them, I (my parents) do, if you can't help me, I'll take my Lexus vehicles elsewhere".

 

[JEL]

Yep. I had it done about 80,000 on the clock. Cost me something like $300 (worth it to me). Thus far, changing all the fluid out seems to work most of the time for others. I planned on changing the ATF every 50K miles anyway.

Ed

$300 seems like a good price for a full fluid exchange at the Toyota dealer. I did a single drain and fill at about 65k for the first time, stuff looked pretty good so I left it at that, now as I approach 90k I plan to do another. Not sure what the dealers in this area want, but when I inquired about ONLY a drain and fill at a Toyota stealer in Seattle (that was problem number 1) they wanted $390 for a stupid drain and fill...unreal.

I imagine it would be significantly less than that in the LA area, may be worth it to see about getting a full exchange done at 90k at one of the Toyota dealers, no issues with a rumble strip (or of any kind), but I'd like to keep it that way.:banana:

 

[CookieRoe]

Well, Toyota tells me my torque converter is failing. They say the fluid and level looks very good so it makes no sense in doing a fluid exchange (flush).

When I first reported my shudder, it was only doing it in high gear, now it's doing it in every gear. Very annoying. It only stops when you let off or accelerate. If you put it in 4th gear, it doesn't shudder. HML.

Anyway, I was quoted $2100 for a new Torque Converter. My mechanic friend believes it's a miss, but no code is coming up. URghhhh. He tells me to park it and foot jack it (put it in D, apply the brakes and accelerate slowly). When it starts to shudder and the exhaust tip starts to vibrate, it's a miss (plug/coil), if not, then the tranny can be suspect. (and he'll eat his words).

Going for a second opinion....................

 

[subspd]

Do you live where it is extremely cold?

 

[07V8]

Well, Toyota tells me my torque converter is failing. They say the fluid and level looks very good so it makes no sense in doing a fluid exchange (flush).

When I first reported my shudder, it was only doing it in high gear, now it's doing it in every gear. Very annoying. It only stops when you let off or accelerate. If you put it in 4th gear, it doesn't shudder. HML.

Anyway, I was quoted $2100 for a new Torque Converter. My mechanic friend believes it's a miss, but no code is coming up. URghhhh. He tells me to park it and foot jack it (put it in D, apply the brakes and accelerate slowly). When it starts to shudder and the exhaust tip starts to vibrate, it's a miss (plug/coil), if not, then the tranny can be suspect. (and he'll eat his words).

Going for a second opinion....................

Check your oil level. Seriosuly. Someone got a new torque converter under warranty and the symptoms were still present. The engine oil was over filled.

I'd also get a second opinion like you said you were.

 

[subspd]

Yeah oil level and tranny oil level could be off. I had a shudder in a RAV4 years ago while in a very cold place just needed fluid added to the tranny. Basically because of the temps it shuddered.

 

[CookieRoe]

Check your oil level. Seriosuly. Someone got a new torque converter under warranty and the symptoms were still present. The engine oil was over filled.

I'd also get a second opinion like you said you were.

Yeah oil level and tranny oil level could be off. I had a shudder in a RAV4 years ago while in a very cold place just needed fluid added to the tranny. Basically because of the temps it shuddered.

I live in southeastern PA, so no extreme cold climate. Dealer said level was fine.

Definitely getting a second opinion.

 

[fishin]

Shudder Fixx

Read my previous post(s). Do the fluid exchange and add the Shudder Fix.


QUOTE=CookieRoe;2272217]Well, Toyota tells me my torque converter is failing. They say the fluid and level looks very good so it makes no sense in doing a fluid exchange (flush).

When I first reported my shudder, it was only doing it in high gear, now it's doing it in every gear. Very annoying. It only stops when you let off or accelerate. If you put it in 4th gear, it doesn't shudder. HML.

Anyway, I was quoted $2100 for a new Torque Converter. My mechanic friend believes it's a miss, but no code is coming up. URghhhh. He tells me to park it and foot jack it (put it in D, apply the brakes and accelerate slowly). When it starts to shudder and the exhaust tip starts to vibrate, it's a miss (plug/coil), if not, then the tranny can be suspect. (and he'll eat his words).

Going for a second opinion....................[/QUOTE]

 

[07V8]

I live in southeastern PA, so no extreme cold climate. Dealer said level was fine.

Definitely getting a second opinion.

Have you driven through any deep water?

 

[CookieRoe]

Read my previous post(s). Do the fluid exchange and add the Shudder Fix.

I know I know. I got a hold of a tube of anti shudder (instant shudder fix that everyone raves about (even my mechanic friend)) and contacted the dealer. Told him to do the fluid exchange ($289) and to add the tube. I told him if it works it works, if not, I'll be getting torque converter fixed at a later date AND I won't hold him or the dealer accountable if my tranny instantly explodes. They then agreed to do it no problem. LOL.

i got this:

Have you driven through any deep water?

No sir. That reminds me, I should check on the breather tube. Good observation, thanks!

With the fluid exchange and the tube of MAGIC (LOL), hope this works.

 

[CookieRoe]

nice!

Ok, well, got the tranny flushed and filled with the tube of MAGIC. When I went to pick her up, the service manager said, "The tech went for a quick spin and said it wasn't shuddering anymore", "damn".

Took her home (I'm about 45 miles away from work) in mixed highway/stop/go and experienced no "rumble strip" noise. It seemed like she wanted to (maybe it's just me), but nothing. Smooth as silk. Also had the rusted out washer/bolts holding the heat shields replaced. No more rattles!!! I'm very happy to say the least. Having said that, I'm probably jinxed myself....................

So yeah:

Rumble strip noise and vibration?
-Get tranny flushed (fully exchanged) and add tube of Anti-Shudder.
-Drink Beer (I'm on my 4th right now............)

 

[Calimander]

Inspired by this thread I put the two tubes I had for a year in my tranny. No more shudder. This stuff works.

 

[CookieRoe]

Inspired by this thread I put the two tubes I had for a year in my tranny. No more shudder. This stuff works.

Why 2? You only need 1.

 

[Calimander]

In researching this issue I read that 2 worked better than one

 

[TOY2G]

Had this in my 03. A local tranny shop did a drain and fill and then added "shudder fix" to the fluid. They told me to drive it 100 miles or so and it would go away.


I drove it about 30 miles and the shudder was one. Torque Converter Shudder is not a new thing, and for me the shop fix cost me $80 with the flush (Rays Transmissions Fort Worth TX). Problem solved and worked all the way up until I pulled the tranny to convert to 4WD.

Dr. Tranny Instant Shudder Fixx 19610 - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

 

[lcbjr77]

I'm having the same issue, dropped my vehicle off at a local transmission shop, they had it for the day... I had to call to them find out if they figured anything out. The guy claims because I had transmission x vs. y they had never heard of what was going on with my vehicle RED FLAG...he was also very adamant about not doing a flush.

My next option was to call a Toyota Dealership and set something up for a tech to try to diagnose whats going on with the tranny. Good thing is that the service manager is an old coworker with one of my good friends. I'm waiting to set up and appointment for one day next week.

I can't wait to get this all rectified