Transmission trouble?

mikeb · #1 (**permalink**) 09-05-2004, 11:00 AM

I was driving to an amusement park at about 70mph for an hour, and noticed that the engine was at about 3200rpm, which seemed higher than what I'm used to. I didn't think much of it, except that on the way home the "check engine" light came on and the engine was running even faster than before. It was hitting 3200rpm at 65mph, and wouldn't accelerate beyond this speed. I stopped at a friends' house midway, and while driving through his town I noticed the vehicle drives completely normally, accelerates normally, reaches the normal shift points, when in the first three gears, except for downshifts make a noticable "kathunk" sound. Upon leaving his house, I was able to go 70mph with the engine at about 2600rpm, still a bit higher than I'm used to, but an improvement. Since it was running slower, I never had to touch 3200rpm, so I don't know if that is still happening. Downshifts are still noisy, and the check engine light is still on. This is a 2001 Highlander 4WD V6, with 28000 miles on it. Any info on what could be going on would be appreciated.

KLS · #2 (**permalink**) 09-05-2004, 05:07 PM

You're still under the drivetrain warranty. Have a dealership diagnose and fix that transmission. First, do check the transmission fluid level...the instructions are in your owner's manual.

Ken

mikeb · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2004, 06:18 PM

It was in at Jiffy Lube last week, ATF was fine then. Went ahead and double-checked today, still is ok.

wylcat · #4 (**permalink**) 09-05-2004, 08:08 PM

I some what remember a post some time back that had a similar description. I cannot find the thread however...maybe someone will chime in but I believe it was a servo problem in the valve body of the trans. I would take it to the dealer and see what they can find.

mikeb · #5 (**permalink**) 09-08-2004, 08:07 PM

Just got it back from the dealer (dropped it off this morning). Turns out when I took it to Jiffy Lube recently they disconnected a vacuum hose from the air filter assembly, and never reconnected it. This was what was giving me trouble. They reattached the hose and reset the computer at the dealer and now it drives great!

wylcat · #6 (**permalink**) 09-08-2004, 08:26 PM

I just copied that last statement and sent it to my mom!!! I keep telling her to stop taking her sequioa to jiffy lube, she has had several "incidents" with those jerk offs. most of them are just kids that have NO mechanical expierience.

KLS · #7 (**permalink**) 09-08-2004, 09:34 PM

I've heard so many horror stories about IffyLube, Wal*Mart Lube Express, and other quickie oil change places that I'll never go to one unless I can watch everything. At those places, be sure to put a discrete mark on your oil filter to be sure they really change it. If IffyLube uses a Pennzoil brand oil filter, that's just a relabeled Fram, not my favorite. Never let them mess with your air filter. They blow it out with high pressure air and cause larger passages that will pass dirt.

A L.A. TV station a short time back did an exposé on the marketing of additional products and services at Jiffy Lube. It seems that the manager gets a bonus if they sell a certain amount of this stuff, whether or not it was needed by the customer.

Ken

mustang67408 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-09-2004, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeb

Just got it back from the dealer (dropped it off this morning). Turns out when I took it to Jiffy Lube recently they disconnected a vacuum hose from the air filter assembly, and never reconnected it. This was what was giving me trouble. They reattached the hose and reset the computer at the dealer and now it drives great!

This is a common problem, caused from people who just dont care or pay attention.

Thoon · #9 (**permalink**) 11-13-2004, 02:17 PM

My '03 Highlander has been making a clicking sound whenever I accelerate slowly and push the gas a little harder while staying in 2nd gear. I when on a test drive with a tech, but he couldn't duplicate the problem and said the transmission sounded normal. Any thoughts? It seems like it is the loudest after I've been driving around for over 30min.
Also, recently when I first drive my car around in the morning, it makes a grinding noise when it shifts into 2nd and into 3rd gear, but goes away after a couple minutes. It kind of sound like when you're driving a stick shift and you don't have the gear in all the way when after shifting.

TerrierMom · #10 (**permalink**) 11-18-2004, 12:24 PM

Unless you have the computer diagnostic equipment yourself, I'd bring the car in to get it checked out.

Your car should still be under warranty so it would pay to visit a dealership to have it analyzed.

I'd say the less you continue to drive it and the sooner you get it in, the better. Transmission problems can be made that much worse if you wait.

mikeb · #11 (**permalink**) 11-24-2004, 02:39 PM

Have you recently had it serviced? I had what I thought was transmission trouble with my Highlander, turns out it was a vacuum hose Jiffy Lube forgot to reconnect.