I did some searching on the topic but didn't find a post that is similar to my problem. On that note, here are conditions:

Service Call I just had my 4Runner to a local Toyota dealership last month (less than 500 miles ago) to have it "tuned up and winterized". I had the plugs changed out, radiator flushed & filled, and all the fluids replaced in the transfer case, rear end and transmission. None of the fluid has been changed out in a while so I wanted to address them while my 4Runner was being serviced.

Problem: Just over the past week or so I started noticing the tranny or engine will not fully engage in 'drive' first thing in the morning or in the evening when I leave work. I put the 4Runner in drive and it feels like it wants to take off but lacks any hp to get it rolling. I let it set in neutral for a 15-20 seconds and slightly rev it a few times, then put it back in drive. The truck will then take off with no issues. It drives and shifts perfectly at every light and stop sign throughout the course of my drive.

I was wondering if:

1) Did Toyota not fill the tranny level to spec and that would cause some initial slipping during take off and then warm up enough to fully engage?
2) Could it be due to the severely cold mornings & evenings (20 to 0 degrees this past week) and the fluid is just too thick for the PA temps this winter?
3) The throttle body is getting bad and not dumping in enough fuel/air during initial start up?
4) The tranny is finally taking a dump after 94K miles of flawless service?

The dealership wants me to bring it back in this Monday to go over everything again, but I wanted to get some insight from some of the knowledgeble folks on here before doing so. I really appreciate any and all feed back as I am getting worried that I may soon be in the market for a new tranny!

Thanks,

Mark

 

Did they do a complete tranny flush??

 

Did you check the fluid level? Toyota is notorious for under filling things. Also, are you letting it warm up in the morning? My 00' with 60K miles seems to not like the cold to much.

 

gpcollen1: I asked the exact same thing and the service adviser said they cleaned the filter and replaced the fluid. Does that sound like it was flushed?

frodin1: No, I have not checked it since the day it was serviced. That is my next step this afternoon. I'm guessing I should warm the engine/tranny to full temp to get the most accurate reading, correct? The engine/tranny was cold the day I checked it so I may have gotten a bad reading if it needs to heat up.

 

Ditto, check the fluid level right away because it is acting like it's low on fluid.

 

Some of the stuff I have read says that if the transmission has not been serviced until into the higher mileage, then do not do the flush, just do the drain and fill (approx 4 qts).

Maybe do a search for the flush and see what symptoms come up. I had an escort as my commuter rat. Decided to do a flush at 120k b/c I had a buddy at subaru that did it for cost for me. Things started 'sticking' after that (selonoids, valves - who knows). Find out it was common on those trannys. I solved it by using an additive and doing drain and refills regularly or wehen symptoms reared their ugly head.

Do some more legwork - and I am sure someone will chime in with some additional assistance. Definitely ascertain what exactly they did!!

 

i just drain and fill about every 15-25k miles.. never brown, sometimes a dark red but never brown.. i can get a little over 5 quarts out of mine. its an automatic 2002 tacoma v6..... i just run it hot, drain and when it almost stops plug it up and wait about 30 minutes or so and drain again. that 30 min wait can get me an extra quart out of it well almost an extra quart..

 

Well, sure as ˟˟˟˟˟... the tranny was over a quart low. We've had a few cold mornings since adding the fluid and no evidence of the same symptoms.

You know, it makes me so happy that the master technicians @ Toyota have my best interest at heart!

 

OH... thanks so much for the feedback, gents!! I really appreciate the help.

 

I hope you got a refund, or at least some future discounts for them shortchanging you an entire quart and potentially ruining your tranny.

I would never go back to that stealership again.

 

You know, those clowns pretty much said it was an honest mistake that could happen at most any dealership. They went on to say that if something would have happened to the tranny, they would need to evaluate the damages to see it was due to a lack of fluid or the "wear & tear" I may have done to the vehicle. I was like, what the hell does that mean... according to this dealership- by virtue of having 3" of lift and 33" mudders, "I may have caused some of the damages due to all the stress my tranny undergoes on a daily basis" I was hearing none of that BS so I just left!

Hell, my 4Runner is still covered by the certified warranty until July 07 so that should preclude me from having to eat any of that cost... I think - I hope?!