My New 2002 Tacoma Only 16k miles, Now it Has Tranny Problems

[Davey627]

I have been searching for the last 10 months or so for that great deal, you know low miles and great shape and I finally found it, a 2002 tacoma v6 with only 14.7k miles, I couldn't believe it so I snagged it. This truck is spotless inside and out and still has a warranty till october of 2008. Ive own the truck less than one month and love it, well........................

Now here is the problem. The first morning I left my driveway I noticed that it took longer than normal to shift from 2nd gear to 3rd gear, it finally shifted into 3rd gear at 35 mph, usually it shifts at 22mph. Once the engine is warm is shifts normal at 22 mph. This shifting from 2nd to 3rd at 35 mph only happens when the truck is cold. I called the service manager at the dealership and he explained that it's normal and it does this during a closed loop warmup period, ok I"ll take his word he knows more than I. Well yesterday when the truck was warm and I had been driving for an hour I took off from a dead stop and it shifted from 1st to 2nd to 3rd and quickly down shifted back to 2nd then upshifted to 3rd then back to 2nd then up to 3rd. since then it has done this abnormal quick shifting 3 times within 24 hours. What the heck can it be, thank God it has a 90 day bumper to bumper warranty and a year and a half drivetrain warranty. It goes into the shop tomorrow morning, I'll keep you up to date with the progress.

[Arb1977]

Great snag...when you take off first thing in the morning or when ever you drive it take alittle longer before it shifts. The reason behind this is that higher revs warms up the cats.

[Davey627]

Here's the update. I dropped it of this morning at the dealership and they took it for a test drive, no problems found, they said it was normal for the truck to take longer to shift into 3rd gear because it has to reach a certain temperature to upshift and once in a while it Will quickly downshift and then upshift a couple of times from 3rd to 2nd then back to 3rd depending on the load situation, they also checked the transmission fluid level. Of course I got all of this in writing just in case I need proof down the road.

So I am happy with my new TACO.

[ddnail]

Davey627,

don't worry, it's normal...strange I know...but normal. Mine does this too, it freaked me out at first, but i got use to it and so will you.

Great deal buy the way, you got to feel good about that
Is this your first taco?

[Davey627]

Yep, this is my first Taco and I just love it, the V6 has plenty of power and I can't wait to do some 4 wheeling, I'm not too crazy about the color (white) but it's growing on me.

[Arb1977]

Wait till you gradually step on the brake and when you stop you fell a thud from the rearend. Thats called axel wrap.

[ddnail]

Oh yea, I forgot about that one! However, after the lift mine stopped doing it. I have a Ford F350 that's bad about that too.

I like the white personally, it's kinda "plane Jane" now but with some well placed mods it will be a sweet ride. Not sure what's done yet but some tint, window vents, bug shield and a bull bar you'll really turn heads.

Are you thinking of a lift in the near future?

BTW, it's cool to have a new member to talk trucks with, this forum has been kinda dead for a while!

[The Phoenix]

You will love that truck, as I loved my previous Tacoma's as well. It's great that you have that information in writing "just in case" however I doubt you will need it. Those era Tacoma's are solid. I miss driving manual

[Arb1977]

Ive got mine lifted 2.5" with donahoes up front and deaver 8 replacement springs in the rear. Eventhough the springs are alittle stiffer than stock it still thuds.

[ttman]

what I thought axle wrap only affects autos?

Originally Posted by Arb1977

Wait till you gradually step on the brake and when you stop you fell a thud from the rearend. Thats called axel wrap.

[jlin01tac]

Originally Posted by Davey627

Now here is the problem. The first morning I left my driveway I noticed that it took longer than normal to shift from 2nd gear to 3rd gear, it finally shifted into 3rd gear at 35 mph, usually it shifts at 22mph. Once the engine is warm is shifts normal at 22 mph. This shifting from 2nd to 3rd at 35 mph only happens when the truck is cold. I called the service manager at the dealership and he explained that it's normal and it does this during a closed loop warmup period, ok I"ll take his word he knows more than I. Well yesterday when the truck was warm and I had been driving for an hour I took off from a dead stop and it shifted from 1st to 2nd to 3rd and quickly down shifted back to 2nd then upshifted to 3rd then back to 2nd then up to 3rd. since then it has done this abnormal quick shifting 3 times within 24 hours. What the heck can it be, thank God it has a 90 day bumper to bumper warranty and a year and a half drivetrain warranty. It goes into the shop tomorrow morning, I'll keep you up to date with the progress.

Great buy, 14.7k on an 02 is an awesome snag.

If it is a cold morning and youre just cruising around 30- 35mph and not going any faster, put the truck in 2nd gear instead of drive, I've had similar experience with mine, its all normal. After the truck warms up or youre cruising faster than 35, put it back into drive. Are you driving on hill roads?

Anyways, just a thought if youre sick of the upshifting down shifting at slow speeds.



Jeff

[Arb1977]

Originally Posted by ttman

what I thought axle wrap only affects autos?

Im not exactly sure but some have said by greasing up the slip yoke that helps the axel wrap some.