Severe tranny shudder @ 62k miles.

[Beakerbox]

Hey folks. I made a post about my issue in the "problems and warranty" section but I don't think that sections get a lot of views. My 2011 TE was fine yesterday and today there is a severe shudder, it happens at idle when in park, and when driving in any gear. My issue is so acute - I'm not so sure it's related to the other known transmission issues talked about here.
The shudder is pretty much always there and in automatic mode there is lots of lag when shifting (happens in all gears) - up steep hills it doesn't shift or go above 2000 RPM unless I put my foot to the floor - then it will downshift after 2 or 3 seconds of lag. I think that particular issue is the transmission assist software freaking out because it doesn't know what the slipping tranny is doing.
If I put it into manual mode - there is still a shudder, but shifting is no problem and the vehicle drives normally otherwise. So my best guess is, something is slipping or there is a loss of pressure somewhere in the tranny. Perhaps an issue with the torque converter?

Of course i'm at 62.5k now, Just beyond the 60k warranty. Do you think there is any chance toyota would honor the warranty since it's particularly shitty timing? They also supposedly inspected the transmission fluid 3 weeks ago during the 60k service and said it was fine.

 

[catrains]

lets say they did check the tranny fluid.. I doubt it . then now the tranny fluid leaked out of the fluid level plug. low fluid level possible.

you never said you crawled under to check for leaks or wiring / connectors etc messed up..

shudder in park ?

 

[4RnR Grl]

I'm just amazed your 2011 has 62k. My 2013 is about to turn over 70k. :dizzy:

 

[gm350reratliff]

Check engine light on? I would have it scanned for codes. It almost sounds like you have a couple cylinders not firing if the shudder is present at idle.

 

[Beakerbox]

Hey Folks, Here's some more details regarding your questions. I appreciate the help. Thank you!

Yes I looked under the truck and it's spotless, nothing loose and no drips - all hoses and vacuums etc appear to be fine to me.

Yes, The Engine Check light is flashing, (I figured that would occur with a transmission error too?)
Also the green icon for terrain Multi select is constantly flashing. I also figured the system disabled those controls because of the main fault (whatever that may be)

The thing about the shudder at idle in park, is that along with the shudder there's a tug or lurch where it almost feels like the transmission is partially engaging. I also thought the engine was ok because in manual, I can drive through the rev range no problem. The motor itself sounds smooth and normal.

Regards only having 62k miles on 2011. I work from home, I don't commute anywhere, My wife has a subaru for hauling the kids around. So that's 62k pure pleasure miles

 

[gm350reratliff]

I'm just amazed your 2011 has 62k. My 2013 is about to turn over 70k. :dizzy:

Me too. My 2014 is about to hit 80k.


OP- I would inspect the wiring harnesses very thorough for any signs of rodent damage. This sounds similar to how one of my coworkers 4runners was acting when a mouse chewed part of the engine harness. I'm actually heading out to my garage to start fixing my sister's car (Ford Fusion ) because some mouse ate part of the engine harness, again. I really wish mfg's would stop putting peanut butter coated wiring in vehicles.

 

[Beakerbox]

Me too. My 2014 is about to hit 80k.


OP- I would inspect the wiring harnesses very thorough for any signs of rodent damage. This sounds similar to how one of my coworkers 4runners was acting when a mouse chewed part of the engine harness. I'm actually heading out to my garage to start fixing my sister's car (Ford Fusion ) because some mouse ate part of the engine harness, again. I really wish mfg's would stop putting peanut butter coated wiring in vehicles.

Well Hats off to you good sir! Nail on the head. Do you know what I found under the truck this afternoon? A dead mouse... he must have died after my test drive yesterday and fallen out sometime overnight. So I'll go out on a limb and say problem partially solved. When I'm finished work this evening I'll just have to get in there and inspect the harness closely to find the specific damage. Thank you kindly for the tip. If I hadn't seen that mouse you surely would have saved me some grief. It was a good call - I live in a fairly rural area surrounded by Oak woods and so we have tons of rodents and all kinds of critters getting in your business.

Ok I'll bite. So why is 60k/10k per year so surprising? Like I said, I work from home - my commute is a 50 yard walk from the house to my shed, and we have another family car with far better gas milage for family and shopping runs. My 4R doesn't go to the mall or sit on the freeway in commute traffic. I thought 10k recreational miles a year was pretty good going for a man with work and family obligations? If your 80k miles are all recreational, then I am truly envious, you are a very fortunate man to have that much time to pursue what you enjoy. If they are commute miles - then you have my condolences. I mostly use my 4 runner to go fishing and trail around the mountains in what little free time I have. I can also attest that the 4 runner can handle 16 bags of concrete fairly well but I'd recommend putting down the seats and stacking them in the middle otherwise you'll be pointing towards the sky as you drive

Thank you again for your help. It's very much appreciated.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Well Hats off to you good sir! Nail on the head. Do you know what I found under the truck this afternoon? A dead mouse... he must have died after my test drive yesterday and fallen out sometime overnight. So I'll go out on a limb and say problem partially solved. When I'm finished work this evening I'll just have to get in there and inspect the harness closely to find the specific damage. Thank you kindly for the tip. If I hadn't seen that mouse you surely would have saved me some grief. It was a good call - I live in a fairly rural area surrounded by Oak woods and so we have tons of rodents and all kinds of critters getting in your business.

Ok I'll bite. So why is 60k/10k per year so surprising? Like I said, I work from home - my commute is a 50 yard walk from the house to my shed, and we have another family car with far better gas milage for family and shopping runs. My 4R doesn't go to the mall or sit on the freeway in commute traffic. I thought 10k recreational miles a year was pretty good going for a man with work and family obligations? If your 80k miles are all recreational, then I am truly envious, you are a very fortunate man to have that much time to pursue what you enjoy. If they are commute miles - then you have my condolences. I mostly use my 4 runner to go fishing and trail around the mountains in what little free time I have. I can also attest that the 4 runner can handle 16 bags of concrete fairly well but I'd recommend putting down the seats and stacking them in the middle otherwise you'll be pointing towards the sky as you drive

Thank you again for your help. It's very much appreciated.

Hopefully it's an easy fix. There was just someone on here that had a mouse chew through the knock sensor wiring and it was quite the job to repair.

As for the mileage, I wish I could say all our miles were for recreation, my wife and I both live about 30 miles from work so a lot of that comes from there but we have taken several cross country trips in both 4runners. Really, I just wish I could keep the mileage low like yours.

 

[audiciter]

Ok I'll bite. So why is 60k/10k per year so surprising?

Not that surprising.

I average about 5k - 6k miles per year. So when my 16 gets that old mine will probably only have 30k miles on it.

There is a 2011 Trail for sale near me that has 21k miles on it. :tea: