Transmission Shutter

Hello all, chasing a shutter issue with my 2009 Toyota Tacoma TRD V6 Auto transmission.

This issue started to happen after a local reputable shop did a transmission fluid change at 105,000KM. About 5,000KMs later I am having issues with what I am suspecting to be the transmission. Specifically the torque converter.

Symptoms:
-At 1000-1100rpm at 25-30km I experience a rough bumpy shutter.
-At 1000-1100rpm at 45-60km I experience a very loud constant shutter. (Best way to describe the shutter would be driving over a rumble strip)
-When these issues are happening and I take my transmission from 'D' to '4' the shutter immediately goes away.
-If I tap the brake with my left foot and keep the gas pedal in the same position the shutter becomes worse and then stops.

Truck:
-3" Block Lift
-33" KO2 Tires on Lug Centric Rims\
-Rear tires do have minor cupping

I've been in contact with the shop and did not directly blame them for this issue arising but they essentially gave me a run around answer and didn't want to look further into it.

I have also read on these forums that some guys find they have to add a aftermarket lubricant due to the fact the tacoma transmission fluid doesn't have the proper lubricants to lube the torque converter.

Looking for any helpful advice! Cheers

 

Have you looked through the thread below?
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...th-pics-for-second-gen-4-liter-trucks.289913/

 

Sure sounds like the classic torque converter shutter to me.
I believe it might be worth a shot at draining/replace the fluid and adding an additive such as LubeGuard.
You will find out more about that in the link provided by @Dm93 above.

 

From what I understand the converter lockup clutches lose friction material over time. There’s no shudder because the material is still present in the fluid.

If you replace all the fluid there goes the material and the lockup clutch doesn’t engage properly.

I would put in a couple tubes of Lubeguard and make sure the level is correct. That should fix you up.

 

As I understand it , your shutter remains when you tap the brake pedal with your left foot ?
If this is the case , I believe you have more going on than just a converter shudder .

Wondering what trans fluid the shop used when changing out your fluid ?
Did they have the pan off when they performed the fluid change ?
The two above questions are very important in assisting you with diagnostics

The converter clutch in these trucks is computer controlled and cycles on and off or partially on and off thousands of times in a short drive cycle .
When this happens , the facings on the converter clutch dampner get all glazed up . The glazing is caused by the reagents in the transmission fluid breaking down .
New fluid followed by a bottle of Lubeguard platinum usually fixes you up . The new fluid restores the reagents to like new condition , the Lubeguard removes the glazing on the converter clutch dampner
You must change the fluid unless it is brand new at the same time you add Lubeguard .

If the new fluid followed by Lubeguard Platinum doesnt fix the shutter in second gear , there are tunes available in the aftermarket to prevent the converter from coming on at low speeds . There are also valve body upgrades that essentially do the same thing as the tune but also fix up other issues within the transmission .
https://www.sonnax.com/parts/3477-zip-kit

When was last tune up ....spark plugs , throttle body cleaning etc etc . Are you greasing your universal joints at every engine oil change ?
This should help with the shudder you feel at 45-60 .

I believe more diagnostics are needed at this point in time . I would be recording the rpm every time you feel the shuttering

 

Hey, the shutter does go away with the brake tap. This vibration always happens in a low RPM. No I have not been greasing my universal joints every oil change. I do have a video I can upload to give you a better idea of what’s happening. I’ll attach it later just at work.

 

Specific RPMs are 1000-1100 only. I haven’t experienced any shutter in any other RPM range.

 

i think this shutter is just engine lugging due to low RPMs. does the RPM creep up when it's shuddering?

 

No, it stays. I’m able to hold my foot on the gas and keep it shuttering for at least 30 seconds.

 

that does sound like a torque converter lockup issue. i wonder if that shop used the right fluid since it seems to have started after they changed it. the fluid level could also be low.

 

Going to give them a call back today. And see what there opinion is. I want them to look into it

 

I have used BG trans fluid and made mine shudder...

 

Update on the situation. The shop that did the fluid change dropped the pan and used the right fluid. They don’t really want to look into it anymore and gave me a BS answer. Next I took it to the stealership. They diagnosed the shutter to be coming from the torque converter and gave me a quote for $1400cad to change it. F%k that. I asked if they would put in luneguard for me but to my disappointment they don’t want to. I then ripped to NAPA picked up LubeGuard 63010 10oz. And went to another local shop. These guys tried selling me on buying a transmission. It feels like I’m dealing with a bunch of salesman. This weekend I’m doing the fluid change myself and adding the lubeguard. All the mechanics i spoke to don’t believe in these additives and think they are bogus. Screw em, I’m giving it a shot before I really start dumping money into this pig.

 

Thanks for the update. Keep us posted on the results after the fluid change / Lubegard add.

 

Update: did the drain and fill and added LubeGuard which sadly didn’t get rid of the shutter. Gonna order up a torque converter is it best i stick with OEM or can I upgrade to a aftermarket one?

 

Thanks for the update. Bummer on the Lubegard. Unfortunately I don't have anything to add on the torque converter question, but I am genuinely interested in the outcome if you do pursue this route. Hopefully others can chime in w/advice to your question.

 

Another foolproof way to determine if it is your torque converter put the truck in 4th gear from a stop (selector to D then move to the left) and try to duplicate the shudder. If there is no shudder then you can blame the torque converter. I had this issue and ordered one from Florida Torque Converters part# 89-90 for V6 models TOYOTA Torque Converters 89-90 (floridatorqueconverters.com). Make sure you fill the converter before install (mine took about 3 qts). Since you're in there might as well change the TC seal and rear main seal. I used Valvoline Maxlife full synthetic Trans fluid. I had the shudder for a long time and after replacement the shudder is gone. It's been 2000 miles since I did the swap and still running like new.

 

selecting s4 doesn't put it in 4th gear though. it just limits it to 4th gear.

 

Well thats a given, it's not a manual transmission. What it does do is not allow the torque converter to go into flex lockup mode which is what these converters are known to have an issue with causing the shudder.

 

I have the shudder too, but it only rears its head if in regular drive, click the shifter to the left (no overdrive) and it never happens. If I leave it is regular drive with OD, then all I got to do when it happens is let up on the gas slightly then then good to go...BTW, mine happens at any speed, even getting on freeway it will happen when shifting to OD, but not all the time, especially if the tranny is cold, never happens then...it only happens when it shifts to 5th OD....