2007 Tundra transmission comments & questions

Even though this video was posted about 4 years ago, I am going to attempt it on my 2007 Tundra. It is slipping/hesitating in first and second gears...And when I slow from highway speed & make a RIGHT turn, it's as if it briefly slips into neutral for a second or two...then pops into gear. Very strange! Doubtful it's the fluid...but who knows? And even stranger, is that when at full stop, I discovered by trial & error that if I put it in Manual mode "3", and then take off rather quickly, it rapid shifts through 1st and 2nd without the hesitation. If it's purely a mechanical issue, then how can that happen? And to further show how little I know about trannys...Is this video really a flush, or simply a method of "drain & refill" on a closed system? Thanks in advance for any counsel for a first-time poster (on any forum...lol).

(We have 6 Toyotas in family...from a 1995 T-100 to a 2008 Sequoia...Total of 1.3 million miles driven collectively... so far. The 2008 Sequoia had a speed sensor replaced for about $200 and it solved the problem of not going into 5th or 6th gear! )






https://youtu.be/fLVZSoKbyZ0

 

2007 Tundra - 196,000 miles: never changed transmission fluid: sealed: runs like a dream

 

He is “exchanging” the trans fluid (all 12’ish quarts). I’ve done this twice, 1st at 75k and the next at 150k miles. At 210k now. Trans is still 100%.

“Drain and fill” typically refers to pulling the drain plug on the pan, measuring what comes out (3-4 quarts) and re-filling the same amount.

I obviously prefer the first method but it seems the “drain and fill” is popular and works too.

These transmissions are ultra sensitive to fluid levels so its possible thats whats up with yours. I’d do the full exchange asap and cross your fingers.

 

If your gonna do it yourself start with a fluid exchange and replace the filter, also if you can clear the transmission data with a suitable scanner. If that doesn't work check the main control and solenoids/valves for any sticking/binding concerns, anything after that is an internal issue..

 

My 07 does the same thing, I've done the drain and fill 3 times, its weird, someone on facebook said that it appears to go away in tow haul mode, on their truck. I haven't tried that, but it is a strange deal.

 

Thanks all for the replies/posts. I have an update. I know a good, trustworthy mechanic who really likes Toyotas (same guy that put in speed sensor on '08 Sequoia with 170,000 miles...and resolved my shifting issues on it). I decided to let him do the flush on the '07 Tundra as he had the equipment and quoted me about $180 (including new fluid). He said he started the flush and just a little way into it, the transmission pump on the Sequoia failed and no more fluid exchange was taking place. So he abandoned the flush. He said he put in as much new fluid in as he took out of the old...& then added a little more new fluid. But when I picked it up, the shifting issue was way worse...and not wanting to even go in reverse part of the time. So I've parked it for now & have a another shade tree mechanic coming by Saturday to take a look at it. Now that we know pump is not working, we're wondering if we might be able to just replace the pump itself (maybe $1200-$1500) and then do a proper flush....As opposed to the $3800 total rebuild I've been quoted by others. My first mechanic said might as well rebuild it all while in there...But this is actually for my firefighter son who's on a limited budget right now. More to come.....

 

HAPPY ENDING UPDATE JULY 23, 2022: Regarding the above 2007 Tundra, I tried to move it around the yard to park in different location & it quit going into reverse completely ...and then would barely go forward in drive any more...so I just promptly parked it again.

Long story short, I purchased a new pressure control solenoid for the transmission for just under $250 (see pic of old one we took out), a new filter, a new gasket & new fluid. A friend who's a trained mechanic drained the pan, but only 2 quarts came out...& its supposed to be 3 quart capacity...So, apparently when the earlier failed flush was attempted, it was one quart shy of being refilled completely...Or, my son had been driving it a quart low and just didn't know it. But, no apparent leaks in his driveway or elsewhere on vehicle ever evident.

After putting the new solenoid in, new filter in, and new gasket on, we pumped 3 quarts of Valvoline fluid back into the sealed system using a little emergency pump I had for my dual sport motorcycles (one where if you run out of gas you can borrow a little from buddy's tank....fortunately, the tubing diameter was just right size...see pic).

I started the truck, let it warm up a bit, ran it through all the gears many times & then took it for a test drive. It is now shifting flawlessly. It seems apparent that the bad solenoid is why the transmission pump was not functioning correctly for the first mechanic when he tried the flush. Whichever the case, for $400 in parts & fluid, my son's Tundra appears to be good to go. I'll drive it for a week or so before taking it to him to make sure this isn't temporary. But it seems to be doing great! Will update again in a week or so if anyone is interested....

 

I can tell you firsthand there are a lot of them running around that are low and have been since they left San Antonio.

 

The pressure control solenoid monitors line pressure and adjusts as necessary, if the fluid was low then it can't build up enough pressure for the pump to work.. reverse uses higher pressure than forward gears so it would stop working first, glad it's working good for you

 

Very interesting comments and useful information. Hope all of this helps some other folks. Thanks.

 

Thank you for the follow up!

This definitely sounds positive. Keep us posted on any developments

 

I was rereading all the posts and noticed I failed to mention that the ‘07 Tundra in this thread has 218,000 miles…& has never had a flush or a drain & fill. As you can imagine, the fluid that came out looked horrible… but did not have a totally burnt smell (but certainly didn’t smell fresh…lol)
I also noticed an earlier typo… The attempted & failed flush was on this same ‘07 Tundra, not my Sequoia that I inadvertently typed (the Sequoia tranny issue was solved with the speed sensor replacement).
After watching my friend do the Tundra solenoid replacement, I realized that I could have easily done it myself (but he was very thorough & conscientious with cleaning everything meticulously… & I took good notes). Thanks again for all the comments. I will follow up after driving the ‘07 for a week or so…

 

And amazingly, there were very few metal shavings in the fluid (or on the little magnets). It was shifting so hard& slipping so much I didn’t know what to expect..

 

Hopefully not too much clutch slurry in their either!

I just finished my 3rd(.?) Drain and fill since my ownership starting at 145k. Judging by the fairly dark nature it was probably on its original factory fill.

This third go of it showed readily pink, but still dirty fluid drained for sure. The post level measure fluid is noticeably more red... but still not anywhere near "new" color.



I'm sure you can guess which WS ATF spot is which, but I am happy with the overall result. I've got six more quarts of the WS in the garage and plan to perform one more drain and fill, probably before the end of the year/5k-ish miles.

My transmission shifts without issue. If I am picking nits, there is the slightest hard shift from 1-2 until the trans has warmed up for a good 20mins. After today's drian and fill procedure, the hard-ish shift did not seem to be present... and I inserted almost .5 quarts more than I recycled. Dunno. I do the leveling procedure/secret handshake the same every time...

Whatever. Time will tell the true value of these maintenance items, and I hope your good fortune is lasting as well!

 

UPDATE ON 2007 TUNDRA as of August 4, 2022:

Since we replaced that one solenoid & did the drain & refill, my son has driven the truck about 700 miles now. He says it has still been shifting normal & driving smoothly.

He did say every now and then there is a slight hesitation when the accelerator is pushed...But no lurching or hard gear engagement is noticeable. So maybe more of a fuel or injector related thing? I don't know. And he said occasionally when putting it from park into reverse or drive, it takes a second to engage....But some of this is just right after start up.... So not too concerned about that.

All in all, he is quite pleased with the performance. We will go ahead and do another drain & fill soon.... and such will be sooner than later if any other symptoms arise.