automatic transmission problems on 4 liter V6

[Mornes]

i have picked up strange 'behaviour' from the autobox on my V6 hilux. it seems to stick in 4th abnormally long after doing a hill climb, often only changing to 5th on the downhill decent. Also it seems to have a 'half gear' in 4th where the revs pickup by 200 rpm sometimes??

anybody have advice or seen the same thing?

[Petou]

I have noticed the same on my Fortuner.By selecting 4th gear and immediately thereafter shifting back to drive, in my case seems to be the way around the problem.You will notice that the same "overdrive" gear as i call it is also on drive gear.

[Mornes]

i've read on some of the Australian forums that there are software upgrades available for the gearbox. i asked the local guys, but got a blank stare..

[kfxnando]

dont know this specific gearbox, and am no expert on Auto gearboxes!! and not sure that my post will help any thing!!

however after having bought the Jeep GC V8 have learned a few things about Auto boxes

1st, a software upgrade can sometimes solve the issue!!

the other point that i would like to make is that an oil change can also make the difference!!

ATF does not last the life of the gearbox as it does in the life of most normal manual transmissions!!

have read a few cases of where just an ATF oil change has solved the issue!!

not sure that this will help!!

[Kattie]

i asked the local guys, but got a blank stare..[/quote] Im also on the trail of the elusive G/box upgrade only hear of it but not seen it.Apparently the previous model g/box had only a single overdrive and the newer ones got a two stage overdrive,but the software stayed the same,the prado owners also have the same problem.also speed control is non exsisting say you set speed at 120 it changes so much and so violently and goes up to 130-135 before letting go and return to 120

[Mornes]

its a pitty they could not get it right with the 4 liter engine... i drove a pathfinder a while back and was very impressed with the gearing combination with the engine. the rest however, i prefer the yota

[Mornes]

hi guys, some feedback for those of you that are interested. Toyota replaced my gearbox at my 80 000 km service.. i asked them to check the gearbox oil. they phoned me frantically to let me know the oil is black and 'burnt' and the box needs opening. it turns out a actuating valve on one of the gears was sticky and overheated the oil. as most of you advised, the burnt oil's viscosity is different and affects shifting and what is commonly seen as 'shift shock'.

Toyota does not check or change the oil as a rule, however they advised that considering the 'duty of vehicle', we should do it as regular as we could. so ask for it to be checked.

[Polarbear2008]

Morne

You are right about the oil in an auto box - it makes all the difference, much more so than in a manual one! Glad they found the problem and thanks for sharing!

[Gysie]

As a norm - when ever i buy an new vehicle I have a mech friend of mine change all the oils and do a service. I have recently purchased a 2005 4.0 V6 with 92000km and had everything drained and replaced and this will be done every 20 000km excluding normal services every 10 000. The cost of all diffs and transmittion oil change is much less than replacing a gearbox or diff. Just my 2cents

[Wendell]

Hi Guys,

I have a 2005 4.0 V6 with the auto box with just over 150 000km and all your problems seem to occur in my box as well. I have also noticed that sometimes i loose a substantial amount of power on an uphill when shifted into fourth. Any further advice from anyone?

[Frost]

Hi Guys,

I might be looking into buying a 4.0 with a manual box.
Other than the AT problems are there any other problems you might have experienced mechanically?

Ive searched around and all I can find is mention about tensioner pulleys?

[Wendell]

Hi Guys,

I might be looking into buying a 4.0 with a manual box.
Other than the AT problems are there any other problems you might have experienced mechanically?

Ive searched around and all I can find is mention about tensioner pulleys?

Hi,

The problem that I experienced was not due to the auto box but rather the Fuel HP. This might have been caused by debris that was left in the tank after a long range tank was fitted. There are other threads on the forum that you can follow regarding the power surge. You can buy that V6 any day and twice on Sunday. Drives like a charm. I spoke to a bloke that drives the manual and his fuel consumption is much higher than mine with the auto box. Personally I would prefer the auto as the engine have so much power. At the end of the day it is personal preference that must be considered. Good luck with your choice.

[Wendell]

Another thing, None of the mechanics I spoke to have ever seen the inside of the 4.0.

[Frost]

Thanks Wendell,

You are so right! When searching for 'hilux 4.0 V6 problems' the response is few and far between!

[OOOOMS]

Thanks Wendell,

You are so right! When searching for 'hilux 4.0 V6 problems' the response is few and far between!

That's because it's a Toyota.......... :wink2:

Do the same search for LR or VW and your PC will prob. crash.....

[Wendell]

Toyota all the way.

[Frost]

Took an auto for a test drive on Monday...
What a machine! Hopefully collecting my Manual V6 on Saturday morning. Cant wait!

[Wendell]

Took an auto for a test drive on Monday...
What a machine! Hopefully collecting my Manual V6 on Saturday morning. Cant wait!

Good luck and happy Hiluxing...

[Mornes]

I started this topic, but ill never buy anything else....

[pieter1234]

My 2008 Fortuner 4.0 4x4 auto do not change up to 5th gear. Never.