jclittle251

Hello all.

This question is for an 02 Tacoma 4x4 3.4 v6.

I've had a problem for about a year now that no one has been able to give me an answer I'm comfortable with. When my engine is cold and I drive it will delay from 2-3 gear (25-30 mph) and my rpm's rev high and then finally it kicks in and progresses normally. Once it does it once it is fine and will operate normally even if goes back into 2nd. I thought it was just in cold climates (I live in Maine) but it does it in the summer.

AAMco could not identify the problem. I brought in to the dealer and they said that it was normal and within spec. I can't remember the name of thest they did but it was something like a "drop" test? I don't know. I would like to feel confident that the dealer is giving me a straight answer but it just doesn't sit well with me knowing that this did no happen when I bought it used 2 years ago (or at least I didn't notice it).

Oh and I have 97K miles and have no records of auto fluid change, and they didn't recommend doing one yet. I found that strange. They recommended going another 10-20K and getting the full flush?

I'm thinking about brining it to another dealer but really don't want to pay another $100 to be told it's "normal".

I would appreciate any help on this.

pat161

Its perfectly normal, my 02 Runner does the same thing, I am in central MA so we have a very similar climate to you coastal Maine folks. In the summer it will still delay the shift until it gets up to temp, I do notice with mine it gets there quicker in the summer. I would try to get a feel for it now, and when it warms up in April see if it shifts a little sooner then on a 0 degree morning in Jan. or Feb.

Adam F

100% normal. search around, theres a bunch of threads with this question.

mt_goat

I find that strange too.

jclittle251

Thanks all. I will do some more research but it's comforting to know others have the same issue. I'll also look into the auto tran fluid change. I find it hard to believe that 120K is the preferred mileage to change it out but that is what the dealer said when he looked it up. (note. I do not do hard driving or towing).

Thanks again

mt_goat

Does your's take that new ATF? I forget the name... T something I think, maybe its suppost to last longer. I know my BMW has what they call "life time" ATF. Not sure what BMW's idea of a life is though. I did a drain and refill on it at about 80,000 miles and cleaned the pan magnets and IIRC changed the filter. My idea of a life is probably a lot longer than BMW's. They want me to buy a new one every time I go in there. Last time I was getting an oil filter the salesman was hitting on me to buy a new one. I told him mine should go another 100,000 miles no problem. He said in a sad voice, "you're probably right".

skjos

The shifting thing sounds normal, my 02 runner does the same thing.

However, I would not wait on the flush. I just did mine at 60K and the old fluid looked like crap. If you have no history, the sooner you flush the better.

dairyjato

mine does it too but only if it set all night or all day at work it is the first time like you said you shift from 2-3 mines got 332,500 miles i do pull the plug and top off tranny. per. every oil change. fluid looks and smells new