Transmission (5AT/V8)- problem shifting from R to D

[igozoom]

Hi everyone,

I am the very happy owner of a 2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD V8 with 218k miles on it. It still runs and drives like a dream and doesn't use a drop of oil.

I'm visiting my sister in L.A. and she has a 2007 Lexus GX470. The GX470 has the same 4.7L V8 and 5-speed automatic as my 4Runner. It only has 61k miles on it, it has always been serviced properly and never abused.

I drove it yesterday and, while parking, I needed to back up slightly then pull forward to center myself in the parking spot. After backing up, after coming to a full stop, I shifted into DRIVE and there was a pause of 2-3 seconds (at least) before it went into gear! It didn't exactly slam into gear, but there was a noticeable jolt when it happened.

I mentioned it to her and it has happened to her numerous times over the last few months. Her husband and their mechanic have been unable to duplicate the problem, so they dismissed it as 'driver error' or her imagination. But I can now confirm that it is definitely an issue.

I'm curious if any of you have experienced anything similar with this powertrian combo? Even with 218k miles, the same 5AT in my 4Runner works perfectly, so I'm very surprised that she's having an issue. But I need to figure out what it is, if there's anything we can to do preemt a major repair or if we need to consider trading it in....

Thanks!

 

[DC runner]

In general a delay is bad. These transmissions have a computer component to it, so it could be ECU related or mechanical.

Fluid level checked? Something to consider: It could be a errant ecu signal. There was a TSB out for a Ford auto trans for something similar. It was a safety mechanism that was mis-timed. It was forced a "pause" to allow the drive line and torque converter to come to a complete stop and was simply to long. To my knowledge, they just re-programmed the ECU.

Can I ask this: Once IN gear does it move immediately? If so, then the actual gearing is ok. A slipping transmission will not be able to move immediately.

 

[satanos6668280]

a harsh engage is caused by higher than normal fluid pressure. the computer raises the pressure if there is a problem. is the check engine or abs/trac/vsc light on? check the fluid level and condition.

 

[WXman]

I agree. It sounds like a fluid circulation issue. Could be a clogged filter or something else going on to stop the proper flow of fluid.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

There is a lag built into Toyota's transmissions to help prevent people shifting too quickly or accidentally from Drive to Reverse and vice versa. 2-3 seconds is a bit more than what they normally take though, so fluid could be an issue in this case.

Couple of questions

-How many miles on the vehicle?
-When was the transmission fluid last serviced?
-Does this vehicle see any severe towing and/or driving conditions?
-Do you have driveline clunk?

The last one is what makes me most curious, I wouldn't lay it squarely on the driveline clunk myself; but I have noticed that if its gotten bad enough on some vehicle it can exaggerate even normal functions as the driveline binds up.

My most likely guess is a combination of old fluid, driveline clunk, and possibly laggy software (this could be due to a learned shifting pattern, but I doubt the learning algorithm extends into shifting between gears manually.)

 

[BlackWorksInc]

There is a lag built into Toyota's transmissions to help prevent people shifting too quickly or accidentally from Drive to Reverse and vice versa. 2-3 seconds is a bit more than what they normally take though, so fluid could be an issue in this case.

Couple of questions

-How many miles on the vehicle?
-When was the transmission fluid last serviced?
-Does this vehicle see any severe towing and/or driving conditions?
-Do you have driveline clunk?

The last one is what makes me most curious, I wouldn't lay it squarely on the driveline clunk myself; but I have noticed that if its gotten bad enough on some vehicle it can exaggerate even normal functions as the driveline binds up.

My most likely guess is a combination of old fluid, driveline clunk, and possibly laggy software (this could be due to a learned shifting pattern, but I doubt the learning algorithm extends into shifting between gears manually.)