Automatic transmission, Toyota: typical malfunctions

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Foreign cars sold in Russia are often equipped with an automatic transmission. Such a unit is much more convenient and comfortable, especially when driving around the city. Typically, automatic transmissions have a fairly long resource and, with timely and competent maintenance, can work for a very long time. Almost all malfunctions occur due to the fault of the owners themselves, who do not understand the maintenance of automatic transmissions.

Features

Japanese automatic transmissions ("Toyota Corolla" is also equipped with it) are one of the most reliable. In Russia, you can still see the old "Crown" and "Marki" with their native and never even repaired transmission, despite the fact that they are already in their third decade.

It is worth noting that some modern automatic transmission models that are installed on luxury modifications of Toyota and Lexus do not require maintenance. This, of course, does not mean that automatic transmission oil (Toyota Crownincluding) does not need to be changed at all. And many do. The fluid resource is no more than 60 thousand kilometers. Further, the oil begins to turn black and loses its protective properties. But this is not the only factor affecting the resource. Unfortunately, the modern trend towards more complex designs leads to a decrease in reliability.

Main problems and malfunctions

Typical problems with automatic transmissions are largely similar for different brands, including automatic transmissions (Toyota Mark-2 is no exception):

1. Reducing the oil level in the box, which is caused by a violation of the integrity of the block and the transmission pipes. The culprits may be burnt gaskets, old cracked pipes. The oil level must be checked and topped up if necessary. It is worth noting that oil for manual transmissions should by no means be used in automatic transmissions due to its higher viscosity.
2. All gears are not engaged except reverse, or vice versa. This is due to wear of the clutches or the clutch itself. To eliminate, of course, you will have to remove the box and open it, making a visual inspection.
3. It happens that the third and fourth gears do not turn on. The reason for this may be worn clutches, a broken piston collar or damage to the spline.
4. Gears are not engaged, the car is at a standstill. There may be several reasons for this. This is an insufficient oil level, wear of the friction clutches and their pistons, breakage of the clutch.
5. Slip when starting off - wear of the torque converter shaft or malfunction of the clutch frictions.
6. Car movementin the neutral position - sticking of the switching piston, connection of the disks due to overheating. Sometimes the shift lever adjustment is broken.
7. Shift into gear and start the car from a standstill only after warming up. Here, most likely, there is wear on the clutches, which do not provide torque transmission.

Features of automatic transmission operation

When operating an automatic transmission, first of all, you need to monitor the radiator to prevent contamination.

It must be remembered that the automatic transmission heats up during operation, and when driving off-road, an additional radiator is often needed. Damage to the cooling system can cause the oil to overheat. As a result, burning of sealing rings and friction clutches. Thus, compliance with the automatic transmission temperature regime is one of the most important conditions for trouble-free driving.

Features of oil selection and replacement

Automatic transmissions are designed so that the quality and lubricity of the oil are the most important factors affecting its durability. Any deviation from the norms can be detrimental to the unit. Therefore, it is so important to observe the service interval, guided by the oil change table for a particular model.

Aisin automatic transmission malfunctions

The supplier of transmissions for these vehicles for many years has been Aisin, which specializes exclusively in these automotive components. But, in keeping with the times, the simple design of these boxes is a thing of the past.

New multi-stage units with complex control algorithms and a switching system have appeared. But, as in any mechanism, the complexity of the design entails a decrease in reliability. Unfortunately, the Toyota automatic transmission also has typical diseases.

Toyota Rav-4

The U140 series box is installed on these SUVs (not to be confused with the one that is placed on the Camry). This unit is deservedly popular due to its durability and reliability. But there is a weak point here - electronics. This series is equipped with electronic breakage protection. When turned on, it blocks the operation of the unit completely. This is treated by replacing the electronic control unit.

Toyota Corolla

This model is not only one of the oldest in the Toyota lineup, but it is also the most reliable. The most common automatic transmission (Toyota Corolla is also popular thanks to it) is the 4-speed U341F series, which has already earned itself the highest reputation. But sometimes it breaks down.

The main ailment is the failure of the hydraulic plate, which entails the replacement of the gearbox solenoid block. On the latest generations of this Toyota model, a “robot” installs. These are manual transmissions with automatic electronic control. For such units, the clutch is controlled by a separate unit, which, in case of malfunction or partial breakdown, gives commands to frequently engage and disengage the clutch.

This leads toslippage. The electronic control unit can be replaced, and everything will be in order. However, if this is not done in a timely manner, the clutch itself will need to be repaired, since multiple switching on and off does not contribute to the durability of this assembly.

Toyota Camry automatic transmissions

The first generations of Camry were equipped with A540E series gearboxes.

This model has gone through several modifications during its production. Moreover, they are rarely interchangeable: the same nodes, depending on the year of manufacture, are completely different. This gearbox is quite a rarity in Russia. And in the event of a breakdown, serious problems with spare parts can arise. The U140E and U240E automatic transmissions are installed on the new generations of Toyota Camry. The first - for engines of 2.4 liters, the second - for 3-liter engines. The weaker U140E is poorly adapted to the lower mass of the machine and, as a result, cannot boast of high reliability. A frequent breakdown on it is the failure of the back cover. This leads to burning of the clutches, slipping of the clutch, increased engine speed and breakage of the automatic transmission torque converter.

Toyota Camry with a more powerful internal combustion engine is equipped with wear-resistant gearboxes that break less. However, there are also problems with the back cover. In addition, there are isolated cases of failure of the control electronics.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are quite a lot of automatic transmission malfunctions, and although they are often of the same type, this is notmeans that it is worth ignoring the incomprehensible and non-standard behavior of the transmission. Never put off finding out the reasons "for later." Replacing an automatic transmission (Toyota Camry is no exception) can result in a very large amount. Therefore, it is important to keep the technical condition of this unit in good condition and carry out regular maintenance. After every 150 thousand kilometers, the box must be completely washed. This is done on a specialized stand, under pressure. This is the only way to remove wear and metal chips.