Transmission jumps into low gear when come to a complete stop (2 Viewers)

[Shaniac]

I have this recurring issue where when I slow down and bring my Tacoma to a stop, the transmission sort of jumps out of second into the first gear. It does not always do this and some times I can come to a complete stop with no issues and when I release the brake, the transmission will jump into the lower gear. What could be causing this? The transmission fluid levels are fine...

 

[Duane]

My first thought is the adjustment on the lever to get it to think it wants to be in low gear.
So 2000 Taco.
Just to confirm we are talking an automatic tranny right? Little uncertain as you say you pull it down into second and most would leave an automatic in drive.
Or are you talking a standard tranny?

 

[Shaniac]

Sorry about that, yeah it is an automatic transmission. Sometimes when I come to a complete stop the transmission will jump into low gear, almost as if it is not syncing between gears. Oh, and I have a 2000 Tacoma V6 4x4.

 

[Duane]

Still thinking I might be misunderstanding something here.

so you drive around in D and leave the selector in D while stopping correct?
So jumping into low gear I'm thinking well isn't that normal
If left in D for drive then I would think it should start in low unless a guy puts the selector into 2 which may start it out in 2nd gear
This is done on some Hondas which is used if you want to start on a slippery surface to limit the torque to the wheels. Not sure if Toyota did such a thing.

 

[pdxeod]

I'm not sure this helps but my 97 fzj80 has the 2nd gear start.

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

This is done on some Hondas which is used if you want to start on a slippery surface to limit the torque to the wheels. Not sure if Toyota did such a thing.

And this is why I like/drive manual vehicles...but they are getting harder and harder to buy new

Are you "manually" shifting your automatic taco? ...1, 2, then drive, and so on?

 

[Shaniac]

No, I am leaving it in "D" (Drive). It seems that the gear is sticking from when it "automatically" shifts from second to first....it mostly only does it when I come to a complete stop and as soon as I let off the brake pedal and coast a few inches it will jump into first....not sure if this is normal wear and tear as I have over 170K miles on her. I have checked the fluid levels and they are good. The transmission filter and fluid have been changed about 12K miles ago or so....

 

[Shaniac]

And this is why I like/drive manual vehicles...but they are getting harder and harder to buy new

Are you "manually" shifting your automatic taco? ...1, 2, then drive, and so on?

I went from a standard 1987 Toyota pickup to an automatic 2000 Taco....I didn't want an automatic at the time but couldn't find a good deal on standard Taco 4x4. I commute to work in a somewhat big city so when traffic is bad I am not hating the automatic at all but still miss the manual shifting and the simplicity of repairing a standard transmission compared to the complexity of an automatic...

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

No, I am leaving it in "D" (Drive). It seems that the gear is sticking from when it "automatically" shifts from second to first....it mostly only does it when I come to a complete stop and as soon as I let off the brake pedal and coast a few inches it will jump into first....not sure if this is normal wear and tear as I have over 170K miles on her. I have checked the fluid levels and they are good. The transmission filter and fluid have been changed about 12K miles ago or so....

Not sure what to say here, as I have no experience with this situation, nor an auto tranny since the late 80's...

I went from a standard 1987 Toyota pickup to an automatic 2000 Taco....I didn't want an automatic at the time but couldn't find a good deal on standard Taco 4x4. I commute to work in a somewhat big city so when traffic is bad I am not hating the automatic at all but still miss the manual shifting and the simplicity of repairing a standard transmission compared to the complexity of an automatic...

What is sad is that I went to the local dealer to see about a new SUV, and no manuals I think the last manual was a 6speed in the FJCruiser, and I am not a fan of the FJC, so
Been looking for a decent manual 3rd gen 4Runner...

 

[Duane]

See and to me I'm not sure why I would buy a stick again. It used to be they were the beefy tranny and automatics certainly were not.
To me many are the other way around now.
A standard tranny now to me means shifting, having to slip a clutch starting on hills or riding it in stop and go traffic or out on a trail you also may need to ride the clutch. Sooner or later one will likely need to replace a clutch which means peeling a transmission off to get at it.. lots of work!.

An automatic is really a no maintenance tranny..just change the oil and don't wreck it if pulling big loads by keeing it out of over drive. No clutch, no release bearing and no hydraulic clutch actuator. Just my 2 cents

Can't bump start an automatic I guess is a downside.

Shaniac.... I don't think you have too many miles on it.... that seems odd for sure. I 'd have to dig into it and figure out what has to happen inside the tranny to go from second to first. Was the fluid pretty dirty prior to the recent oil change?

 

[Shaniac]

Shaniac.... I don't think you have too many miles on it.... that seems odd for sure. I 'd have to dig into it and figure out what has to happen inside the tranny to go from second to first. Was the fluid pretty dirty prior to the recent oil change?

Not really...it was a really dark red which is normal from my understanding. When I cleaned the magnet at the bottom of the transmission pan, there was only minor graphite sized particles stuck to it...which I am guessing is normal wear and tear for a transmission with that many miles on it. I know nothing about automatic transmissions; only that they have planetary gears and a torque converter...that's it.
I am just wondering if the previous owner didn't take care of the transmission (let the fluids run low) since when I purchased it, it had 75K miles on it....

 

[Shaniac]

See and to me I'm not sure why I would buy a stick again. It used to be they were the beefy tranny and automatics certainly were not.
To me many are the other way around now.
A standard tranny now to me means shifting, having to slip a clutch starting on hills or riding it in stop and go traffic or out on a trail you also may need to ride the clutch. Sooner or later one will likely need to replace a clutch which means peeling a transmission off to get at it.. lots of work!.

Trust me, I would have rather had a standard transmission over a automatic on a 4x4 any day....seems the clutch takes most of the abuse you can throw at the tranny and a clutch can be replaced at a reasonable cost. The only downside is the time and energy to drop the tranny and replace the clutch...

Because I use my truck to commute back and forth to work; on those mornings where the traffic is ridiculously horrible (sitting on the interstate for more than and hour...moving a foot or two at a time) I don't miss riding the clutch at all...

 

[My wife said no FJ!]

Not too concerned about the daily drive of a manual...second nature...that said, it won't be long I might not have a choice of auto or manual...seems like only autos are what is showing up at the dealers...