- #184 of 230
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Re: check trans fluid with engine on or off-2005 highlander 4wd? [tavu]
by mdhutton
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Oct 25, 2009 (5:10 am)
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Replying to: tavu (Oct 24, 2009 12:24 pm)
Most trans fluid is checked with the engine off, but the fluid hot. Not sure if your vehicle is different, though.
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- #185 of 230
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Re: Transmission Trouble? [minnesnowta1]
by stevied5
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Oct 25, 2009 (11:52 am)
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Replying to: minnesnowta1 (Oct 21, 2009 5:49 am)
Just joined the group - thought I'd pose a transmission related question. I just bought a new '09 highlander sport V6 4WD which now has about 300 miles on the clock. I am experiencing small vibrations through the chassis under certain circumstance. It's taken a week to figure out how to recreate the problem, but it seems to occur then the transmission has shifted up to a high gear (not necessarily top gear) and you drive on a very light throttle (almost lifted off) with about 1500rpm on the tacho. It's as if the car is hesitating not quite able to decide whether to kick down or perhaps there's not enough torque to force it at these revs with such a light throttle. Give the throttle a bit more of a kick and the car shifts down easily and the vibrations disappear. It's taken a while to pin it down but I can repeat it almost on demand and it's seriously affecting my enjoyment of what is otherwise a beautiful, smooth and refined car (perhaps that's the problem - it's so close to perfect, you notice the smallest imperfections - I had an Explorer V8 before - enough said!!). Anyone else experienced this. I'm prepared (hoping) to believe that this is because it's new and not run in yet and thus everything is a bit tight and may settle down, but I wanted to hear from anyone else who has experienced this and if they cured it (how?) or if it went away with a few more miles on the clock.
Will ring the dealer Monday and ask their opinion but if there's others out there with this issue, it'll add weight to my case
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- #186 of 230
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Re: Transmission Trouble? [stevied5]
by minnesnowta1
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Oct 27, 2009 (2:41 pm)
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Replying to: stevied5 (Oct 25, 2009 11:52 am)
Well, as you can see by my previous post I have the same problem with the same vehicle. I am now wondering if it is isolated to the Sport V6 AWD. We have the same exact model and both are experience the same exact problem. I also have to give it a little more throttle to clear up the issue. So now I just drive it a little more aggressively. Not a cure but a temp. fix. My dealer said bla bla bla. Meaning they said they have never heard of this before problem before. I am like you and now am NOT enjoying our new car as I first did. We have 450 miles on ours with no change. Might have to live with it. I thought it might have to do with the big 19 inch tires and stiffer suspension set up on the Sport. However, I am at a loss. Maybe should have gone with the ugly new Honda Pilot.
Did you dealer give you any ideas???
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- #187 of 230
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Re: Transmission Trouble? [stevied5]
by vttaco
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Oct 28, 2009 (8:30 am)
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Replying to: stevied5 (Oct 25, 2009 11:52 am)
Howdy: i too recently purchased a 2009 Highlander; only 500 miles. I am experiencing the same shuttering under same conditions.
Its at the dealer today; waiting to hear back.
the service guy causually referred to this as 'normal' but back pedaled when I expressed my concern and stated this was unacceptable.
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- #188 of 230
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Re: Transmission Trouble? [vttaco]
by minnesnowta1
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Oct 28, 2009 (9:16 am)
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Replying to: vttaco (Oct 28, 2009 8:30 am)
Please keep me informed as to what your dealer finds out/tells you. If they are able to isolate the issue please let us know what it is. We can then pass along this information to our dealers for resolution. Either way, let us know what your dealer tells you.
Now there is three of us in the past few days on this message board with the same
problem. Nice Toyota.
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- #189 of 230
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Re: Transmission Trouble? [minnesnowta1]
by vttaco
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Oct 28, 2009 (10:39 am)
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Replying to: minnesnowta1 (Oct 28, 2009 9:16 am)
Howdy Again:
I just got a call from my Highlander Service Dept Rep:
According to him "They have heard of this before". And want to keep my car for a day to full look at this and 'nail it'" They are being very responsive, and will be providing me a loaner vehicle while they investigate.
More after they report back tomorrow...
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- #190 of 230
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Re: Transmission Trouble? [vttaco]
by minnesnowta1
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Oct 28, 2009 (11:42 am)
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Replying to: vttaco (Oct 28, 2009 10:39 am)
Thanks for the update. Look forward to hearing from you on what they found. At least now maybe they are recognizing it's an issue. Hopefully we can get a cure.
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- #191 of 230
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Re: Transmission Trouble? [minnesnowta1]
by stevied5
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Oct 28, 2009 (1:26 pm)
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Replying to: minnesnowta1 (Oct 28, 2009 11:42 am)
yes I'm looking forward to hearing their response. To be honest I haven't had a chance to talk to the dealer yet, been too busy at work, but will do if no one else gets a response.
If someone does get a verdict from Toyota please let us know, in particular where the problem lies, the cure and any relevant Technical Service Bulletin that Toyota produces
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- #192 of 230
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Re: Transmission Trouble? [stevied5]
by vttaco
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Oct 29, 2009 (1:08 pm)
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Replying to: stevied5 (Oct 28, 2009 1:26 pm)
No straightforward answer to 'what is the problem' but the local dealership is getting direction from Toyota on how to proceed.
Step 1 will be to change the Transmission Fluid. And this may be done several times.
I'm no mechanic, so i have no intuitive sense for the the impact of this repeated flushing... Moisture in the lines?
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- #193 of 230
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Re: Transmission Trouble? [vttaco]
by minnesnowta1
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Oct 29, 2009 (1:38 pm)
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Replying to: vttaco (Oct 29, 2009 1:08 pm)
First of all thanks for the info. on what they think is the issue. I am a bit sceptical that this will fix the problem however. Personally I think it's a bunch of BS. There should be no need to change the transmission fluid on a brand new vehicle several times especially when we all have the same problem with the same model of Highlander. That would mean we all have issues with our transmission fluid. Also, I am sure there are others out there who have just not found this site who are experiencing the same thing. So, if resolving the issue is as simple as changing the transmission fluid then I think we would have heard of this already. If it works, I will be pleasantly surprised and happy but I have my doughts.
OK, so, when I first came on this site and explained the issue I was told that it might have to do with low transmission fluid PRESSURE. This is because of the very very tight tolerances used and the computer programing that tells the transmission to produce X pressure for a given situation. Not enough pressure and you get clutch chatter.
Bottom line is that until Toyota faces up to the fact that they have a problem they are not going to do anything about it. What makes me mad is that who wants to keep going back to the dealership all the time for the same problem. Very time consuming and inconvenient. I bought a Toyota for the reliability. Who wants to be running back and forth to the dealerships service dept.
Do you have a lemon law in your state? We do in MN and I may use it. Meaning, if they can not fix the problem after 3 times I can give the car back. Not what I want to do because I like the vehicle otherwise.
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