Transmission - the end is near?

[cynix]

Hey guys,

My 2005 SE conv with 63k miles started to show some problems with the transmission - it started to shift much harder from 2 to 3 about 50% of all the time, like it's slipping for less than a second, then it gives a noticeable kick. How much time do I have left before it starts going out of control (or, probably, it already have started)?

And what options do I really have?
- Perform a basic drain'n'fill Already did that ~5k mi ago)
- Perform multiple drain'n'fills until fluid runs clear
- Perform a complete transmission flush
- Set aside $700 + labor for a replacement transmission
- Wait for transmission to die completely
- All of the above?

From what I recall, toyota transmissions (those are actually AISIN, afaik) were pretty reliable - I had transmission going really bad (only 1st and 3rd gears were working and it wouldn't shift unless you tell it to) on my 1994 toyota carina ED, and the problem resolved itself after a few days. The transmission lived for 5 years and 100k miles more when it finally died because the next owner didn't notice that one of the hoses was leaking and all the ATF fluid leaked out.

PS: Maybe a coincidence, but only a few weeks before I had ECU updated as specified in TSB (improved shifting), and it did start to shift better. For a week.

Any advice / encouragement would be appreciated!

[Camry Racing]

I have already been through problems with my transmission It started to leak and it was my transmission oil pump that was damaged but now it slips sometimes I think that my problem it with clutches so soon I'm going 5speed swap

[Somedude]

Who did the drain and refill on your tranny?

If the job was done wrong then I can see why there is a problem with it.

[cynix]

Who did the drain and refill on your tranny?

If the job was done wrong then I can see why there is a problem with it.

A local shop specializing in transmissions. They did drain and refill with removing the pan, and they used T-IV fluid, I checked.
I wouldn't imagine them screwing up really bad, unless it was intentional.

[Down2TheC]

That's way too early for a Toyota tranny. Very sad. Personally, I'd be skeptical of the tranny going bad that soon after they messed with it.

I let a shop do a flush/fill on a camry radiator and it cracked 3 weeks later. Regardless, at least take is somewhere else when it's time. For now check the level and color. That's about all you can do short of being friendly to that shift.

[CASTRO]

I'm at 215k w/lots of track/auto-x time in too. Still shifts like butter but been using Mobile1 Full Syn ATF every other oil change. Maybe they filled it with the wrong stuff.

[Somedude]

Some shops do intentional damage on it so they can hopefully get your money when you send your car for repair. Toyota auto trannys, if kept maintained properly, usually does not break regardless of milage.

[NightRider]

hey Cynix you wouldnt happen to know where i can find and print the TSB for the improved shifting upgrading ECU. And/or do you know the TSB number for it? I have the same issue with my 04 SLE doing that....

[cynix]

hey Cynix you wouldnt happen to know where i can find and print the TSB for the improved shifting upgrading ECU. And/or do you know the TSB number for it? I have the same issue with my 04 SLE doing that....

The TSB is TC 006-05: ECM CALIBRATION: SHIFT FEELING ENHANCEMENT. Affects 04-05 Solaras with V6 and automatic transmission.

Actually dealer doesn't care if you bring in the printed TSB, you have to give not-so-subtle hints For example, you can state these as facts:

- weird response during heavy acceleration from a stop and difficult to control acceleration in traffic stop/go
- gear hunting when driving on/off accelerator pedal between speeds 20 - 30 mph
- when doing rolling stops and executing corner turns, weird timing of gear shifting

This TSB is covered by emissions warranty, which is, like, 10 years. So, the modifications will be free.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

There is a reason I go to the dealership annually (or 30K miles whichever comes first for a complete flush). I did the same with my good old celica. If you can do it yourself, thats great. If you can't for such things, I don't trust local shops.

NOW that you already know problem exists, I'd take it back to the people that did the drain & fill and tell them this happened after they did the needed! Ensure that they used the right fluids and that you had insisted on this. Simply put, you can now keep your fingers crossed and hope that a drain and fill will solve it (or hide it for now)...but be ready to spend when the time comes! GL

[NightRider]

Thanks Cynix for the response. I am definately going to take this in for fixing. And if you don't mind, how long did it take for when you brought in the car until it was finished? You have to get a rental car?

[cynix]

And if you don't mind, how long did it take for when you brought in the car until it was finished? You have to get a rental car?

ECU update takes a few minutes, so the car was ready in less than 3 hours; that included oil change. But I didn't want to wait so I just dropped the car off. I'm sure they would have finished this much quicker if I told them I'll be waiting in the lobby.

[gnegroni]

You have to get a rental car?

Not sure about laws where you live but Consumer Affairs here state if repairs take longer than 5 business days, dealer has to give you a rental.

[NightRider]

Update:

I just went in this morning to get this TSB fixed and they took 2 and half hours those bastards! But I didn't have to pay a cent! The original estimate was $162+ tax.

Just thought i'd share!

[gnegroni]

Update:

I just went in this morning to get this TSB fixed and they took 2 and half hours those bastards! But I didn't have to pay a cent! The original estimate was $162+ tax.

Just thought i'd share!

Thats nothing...I've spent 6 hours just for them to take the car out for a diagnostic ride, and have them tell me they can't do crap! LOL