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HighlanderGeneral discussion forum for the Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid.
This is a discussion thread titled "Transmission Shifting Trouble", within the Highlander forum, part of the SUV Forums category.
We have an 05 Highlander (V6 Auto Tranny) with just over 60K miles. Transmission fluid was changed at both 30K and 60K miles. Since the last service of the transmission, I notice a problem that may/may not be intermittent.
When accelerating lightly/normally (doesn't do it under hard acceleration) when shifting from 2nd to 3rd, it feels like a little skip. Kind of like it begins to engage in 3rd but changes its mind and then engages in 3rd again. Could also be a slipping/engaging of the lockup converter...not sure.
We're under warranty and can take it in, but I wanted input from others before taking all that time...especially if they can't duplicate it...not sure if I can duplicate it on purpose either for that matter. It happens at least once everytime I drive it (it's my wife's primary vehicle).
So, anyone experience this before?
__________________
"It's not what you know. It's knowing where to find the answer."
'05 4x4 DC LB SR5 Tow Pkg BFG All-Terrain T/A KO, Leer Tonneau, Westin Platinum Nerf Bars, Fog Light Mod, Orig. Owner 12/3/04
I would remove the ECU-B fuse first (engine compartment), then hold the brake pedal for several seconds a few times..this will purge any transient voltage from the ECU.
Then reinstall the ECU-B fuse and your TCM will be cleared as well as the Main ECM. Your engine will relearn the driving habits of driver input.
Then observe if yu are seeing the same issue yu describe. This may take 50+ miles or more of normal routine driving for the Drivetrain to relearn.
It appears that your converter lock-up appears miscalibrated. Just one angle of approach that yu yourself may use. I find that when a gear hangs up.. it is really the converter that fails to lock. I have heard opposing views on this theory.
But no one else ...even the dealers couldn't counter my argument. I say it is software related. And Toyota has no answer for the many complaints of radical shifting habits of this 5-speedTransmission, except to say it is normal.
Ironically Toyota says that on the whole they do not get many complaints. I find this strange. merely damage control at the TMS corporate level.
Just my opinion. And, there are others.
BTW I have not had issues as of late with is problem. Yet it definitely is intermittent to many other 04-07 V6 HL owners. And I find that those with FWD don't complain about this anomaly. Perhaps there aren't many FWD V6's HL's to begin with? That complaint data pool may be too small to consider?
Good luck
LT
Last edited by LifeTech; 06-06-2008 at 11:50 AM.
Reason: spel
I've done LifeTech's suggestion (and had to reset the sunroof as usual as a result of pulling the fuse...no big deal). Haven't had a chance to drive it myself since then. Likely will on Friday and try to reproduce. I'll update whether that fixed it.
__________________
"It's not what you know. It's knowing where to find the answer."
'05 4x4 DC LB SR5 Tow Pkg BFG All-Terrain T/A KO, Leer Tonneau, Westin Platinum Nerf Bars, Fog Light Mod, Orig. Owner 12/3/04
I did the fuse fixed and it work good for a couple of days just like when I had the software update done but then it goes back to the same old sliding into second and third gears very soft shift. Also the engine feels like most of the time when accelerating
like the timing is retarded. The engine pulls very hard and then surges ahead and sometimes it will free up and run ok but most of the time it feels like the timing is low.
Any ideals will be welcome
Well, I've driven it twice now and cannot get it to reproduce...I think it may be fixed. Like I said before, it was happening at least once every time I took it for a drive. Now...notta!
I'll keep my fingers crossed and report back if it returns. Thank you LifeTech for the advice.
__________________
"It's not what you know. It's knowing where to find the answer."
'05 4x4 DC LB SR5 Tow Pkg BFG All-Terrain T/A KO, Leer Tonneau, Westin Platinum Nerf Bars, Fog Light Mod, Orig. Owner 12/3/04
Just an update. I'll have to take it in because it is still doing it after all.
__________________
"It's not what you know. It's knowing where to find the answer."
'05 4x4 DC LB SR5 Tow Pkg BFG All-Terrain T/A KO, Leer Tonneau, Westin Platinum Nerf Bars, Fog Light Mod, Orig. Owner 12/3/04
My wife noticed this issue before I did. Maybe I was too excited to be back on a HL that the "shifts" were not that noticeable to me. But ever since she mentioned it, it's getting to be very annoying. My 03 (2.4) did not have this behavior. I guess it's a V6 thing. My 05 is FWD, and I do more city miles than highway. So for me this issue can get real old real quick.
As far as the ECU-B fuse is concerned, not sure which one it is. Can someone point me to the right one. I read elsewhere that it should be unplugged for 5 minutes.
It's in the engine compartment. Open the lid and look on the back of it for the location of the fuse.
__________________
"It's not what you know. It's knowing where to find the answer."
'05 4x4 DC LB SR5 Tow Pkg BFG All-Terrain T/A KO, Leer Tonneau, Westin Platinum Nerf Bars, Fog Light Mod, Orig. Owner 12/3/04
Transmission Shifting Trouble
Linear Mode
