'00 Tundra Hard Shift 2nd to 3rd

V4.7. When giving it about 3/4 throttle from stop, shifts fine into 2nd but. At about 40mph @ about 4K rpm, it 'jerks' in to 3rd gear pretty violently.
Anyone have/ remedy ?

 

Check your tranny fluid level. It may be too low. I had a similar issue so I switched over to Mobil 1 synthetic for the tranny fluid and it helped. Some have tried AutoRx with good results.

 

My 2015 had the same issue. It turned out to be a tranny issue. Toyota authorized a replacement. Check with your dealer and you will have to be able to reenact the issue. It took 2 trips for me. The service manager rode with me on the second trip. He heard it, felt it and drove it to experience the issue.

 

Pretty sure they aren't going to warranty a 20 year old transmission.

@Jack McCarthy has the right initial step. Check the fluid level first, should be up to temp and idling in park to check it.

 

Had a similar issue shifting 1st to 2nd. Had to do with the transmission valve body. Could be easy fix if it’s only the valve spring that needs replacing. That was my experience

Should also mention, the transmission shop told me to first try Lucas Transmission fix additive because it could simply be a dirty valve that’s sticking. Bottle costs like $13 at auto zone.

 

Into my 3rd cup of Joe. I didn't see that part. Thanks for pointing it out.

 

Thanks guys. It's not an intermittent issue, happens always, and I want to fix it before it does damage. I'll look in to cleaners, but I had the transmission checked and changed fluids 3 years ago by the stealership.

 

Bring your truck engine up to Operating Temp by driving around a bit. With the engine ON, check the transmission dip stick. Should read right at the top tick/hash mark. This is a cheap and easy way to confirm you have the proper level.

Goofy Service Work done 3 years ago may not have filled it proper as Toyota ‘spec’ states 2.1qts (as a drain and fill) and in reality it is more like 4qts. Low fluid will make your shift hard in 2-3rd.

Use DEX/Merc and add some if its low. Add down the dip stick.

 

Just because it’s you, I’m most likely going to drain and refill my transmission based on how much fluid you said is needed. Lol

 

Sounds good. I’ve only done a few drain and fills and the first one was a learning experience. Check Dip Stick when HOT before the drain and fill to make sure your level is proper. If its low, then you know you’ll need to add a little more on the refill part of the job.

My first job was 1 quart low from prior Goofy Garage. The transmission shifts are so much better with the level at the top hash or even a little tick higher.

 

Trans fluid is full. Anything else I can check in to? Anyone think a dirty fuel filter would cause this? I don't think they replaced when they drained/filled the trans fluid 3 years ago. Again, it's always done this since I got it and it hasn't gotten worse.

 

One way I’ve found to soften a harder shift if it’s holding rpms longer than it should before shifting is to briefly let off the gas slightly in anticipation of when the shift should be and then go back to where you were with the gas pedal. This will trick the transmission into shifting when you want it to do so.

If you’re due for another tranny fluid change you could put in the AutoRx and run it for a 1000 miles before changing the fluid. I haven’t tried it but I’ve heard from others that it worked for them.

 

the a340 in both my tacomas had a harder shift between 2nd and 3rd.. i just ignored it. never an issue.


the 02 even has a whine in first gear. but the 01 never did..

 

Don't think it's a dirty fuel filter. It's likely an internal valve body problem. Aggressive cleaning in an old trans is not a great idea, unless you're gonna take the trans out and disassemble it. Gentle cleaning may help, or you may just have some worn out components in the trans that will never come back to life. Gentle cleaning would be a drain and refill, maybe even using an additive like the lucas oil. I've used it in mine and it's helped with my 1-2 shift clunk. Also, I partied with one of the executives from Lucas in Cancun last year at our resort. Real nice guy, their products must be really good (Very scientific assessment of the product).