i am having troubles with '06 highlander tranny, dealer says operating within specs.
I am curious if anyone else experience any of following problems or others and if there are any solutions or reasons.
- Shift Clunking
Noticeable unexpected clunking when shift from Park to Reverse and Rev to Drive. Seem to be slight at first and then after about 700 miles seems to be worse or more noticeable but not on all shifts just 70% time.
Plus New behavior at 1200 miles there is other new clunking. Sometimes shifting out of park is very difficult as if the shifter is stuck ? and then a large clunk when you do get it out of park. Sometimes it clunks while putting it into Park. This occurs on flat surface or hill.
- Surge / Lunge
After about 300 miles or so noticed When Stopping the car (sometimes) surges/lunges a bit just before car comes to a stop. The lunge mostly occurs under condition of accelerrate from stop to about 30-40 mph then let off gas for a coast then apply brakes (i.e. stop/decelerate ) at moderatly slow rate and then at about 5 mph if you slightly let off brake just a tad then a surge/lunge like someone shoving you. So you need to get on brake quickly so as not to hit car in front.
Essentially Stop and go traffic conditions.
- LAG
When accelerating/Starting there seems to be a bit of LAG before pick up.
- TRAC
Some of these problems seem to disappear when you disable the TRAC or at least lessen somewhat. that is surging and the LAG but the clunking stays.
One option i was curious about was people with "Tow Prep" (TOAT) option installed . Supposedly from what i have read the Tow prep includes , Transmission fluid cooler, a higher amperage alternator, and a stronger (3500lb ?) torque convertor. So i would like to determine if there is any statistical evidence for Tow Prep problem ?
TIA Robb