Stutter at Constant Steady Speed

Dmitry · 11-02-08, 09:30 PM

im having this issue. i think it is my torque converter going bad. i have 65k on my truck

the symptoms are when i am in D and accelerating slightly right around the 1k-2k mark before the transmission shifts up the truck starts shuddering.. sometimes its minimal but sometimes its like an earthquake. if i give it more gas it stops if i let off it stops and if i move the shifter over to 4 it stops. My only guess is its the torque converter. I believe the tranny breather is located in the engine compartment so i dont think i got any water in there. I also think that if the transmission was messed up my shifts would be weird and it wouldn't matter if i am manually shifting or not. This does not happen if i am manually shifting from L all the way to 4. The only time it does it is in D. The fj has a special torque converter that allows the clutch to not be fully engaged to save fuel. I am guessing this is my issue. Dragon on the FJ cruiserforums had this issue almost to a T and he had his torque converter replaced which fixed the problem.

MelFeliFJ · 01-26-09, 01:47 AM

I still get the hesitation at constant speed every once in awhile. It seems to happen at highway speeds for me. I have taken it to the dealership but they could not replicate it and suspects it is the AC compressor kicking in. For those that have the same symptoms as I do, let me know if you have solved the problem.

Niner · 01-26-09, 10:04 AM

Mine has done somthing like that around 35-40 MPH. I believe it is a thing were the perfect throttle position causes a trans upshift, Torque converter lockup then unlock causing a weird shift. Mines done it since new and I just expect it once in a while.

MelFeliFJ · 01-26-09, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niner

Mine has done somthing like that around 35-40 MPH. I believe it is a thing were the perfect throttle position causes a trans upshift, Torque converter lockup then unlock causing a weird shift. Mines done it since new and I just expect it once in a while.

Mine usually does it at Hwy speeds like 50-58 mph. Do you think the Torque converter locks up/unlocks at this speed also?

Niner · 01-26-09, 03:32 PM

Definately at that speed it does a slight incline in the road can make the Torque unlock

MelFeliFJ · 02-08-09, 01:08 AM

I still have the slight hesitation/hiccup. I especially notice it going uphill at around a constant speed of 55mph. Its a little annoying. I just hope it is normal.

MelFeliFJ · 02-08-09, 02:05 PM

Has anybody solved this issue yet?

SkyKing · 02-09-09, 11:40 PM

If you could get the dealer to see the problem, you could try for a free transmission flush, just to be sure. I changed out my transfer and rear diff oils at 5,000 and both were black/brown. Can't wait to see what the transmission looks like at 50,000.
The FJ does have one of the most used Toyota transmissions out. It has gone through a few upgrades in the past years, and does look to be very well made. I see a lot of people killing FJ's, but have yet to see a transmission blow on a "young" truck... So my guess is your fine.
Defrost will make the motor change RPM when it kicks in, but I am sure you know that...
My FJ tranny took me a long time to get used to. It ain't no Blazer...
Try to find a user near you and try his/hers.

You near Wisconsin?

MelFeliFJ · 02-10-09, 11:37 AM

I'm actually from Oregon. It usually happens when the defroster is on. I actually have a 30,000 mile tuneup soon. And I believe they flush the transmission. Hopefullly it will correct it. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyKing

If you could get the dealer to see the problem, you could try for a free transmission flush, just to be sure. I changed out my transfer and rear diff oils at 5,000 and both were black/brown. Can't wait to see what the transmission looks like at 50,000.
The FJ does have one of the most used Toyota transmissions out. It has gone through a few upgrades in the past years, and does look to be very well made. I see a lot of people killing FJ's, but have yet to see a transmission blow on a "young" truck... So my guess is your fine.
Defrost will make the motor change RPM when it kicks in, but I am sure you know that...
My FJ tranny took me a long time to get used to. It ain't no Blazer...
Try to find a user near you and try his/hers.

You near Wisconsin?

DEWFPO · 02-11-09, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelFeliFJ

I'm actually from Oregon. It usually happens when the defroster is on. I actually have a 30,000 mile tuneup soon. And I believe they flush the transmission. Hopefullly it will correct it. Thanks.

A trans flush is not part of the normal Toyota recommended 30K maintenance procedure for the FJ. It has synthetic fluid and Toyota recommends changing it every 100K. That being said, many are changing sooner if they wheel allot or tow just to be safe.

DEWFPO

jazzdog · 02-16-09, 08:59 AM

I had a stutter for a while and it was traced back to an intermittance in one of the two coil packs on the FJ. Just a thought.
jazzdog

hiptfarms · 09-26-09, 07:49 PM

mine is shuttering between 2nd and 3rd and also between 3rd and 4th. the problem started yesterday and got progressively worse throughout yesterday and this morning. i've got 72,000 miles on the 07 model. the dealer this morming agrees its the transmission and thinks it will have to be replaced. glad i have an extended warranty.