Torque converter kaput!

[9W6VX]

Bad news for me.

The torque converter has gone AWOL on me.

I am out of warranty as mine was bought from Tojo on July 2006. The 3 years warranty expired on July 09. Mileage 85,000 kms.

Very loud whining noise when driving. Once i reach 90km/h and the torque converter locks at 4th gear, the noise is gone.

Other than that, the noise is like a whining ghost.

Price for a new original part is AUD$2150 excluding installation. Not happy......

Even if mine was still within warranty, Toyota would deny me a claim as they would say that my Lux is modified and has a external transmission oil cooler.

One of my mate's Lux had the torque converter kaput when it was only 2 years old. Initially Toyota said it would replace it under warranty. But when they saw the oil cooler, they said warranty was void due to the Lux being modified. The wankers here will find any bloody excuse to wiggle their way out of warranty. My mate was pissed............... In the end my mate changed to a reconditioned torque converter for AUD$700. He's been using it for more than a year and look ok.

I might go this road since a new unit is ridiculously expensive.

Does anyone know if the torque converter for the A340F is the same as the previous generation Hilux auto transmission?

My Lux was probably done on a Friday afternoon............ sigh....cry.......... 85,000 kms and upper/lower ball joints changed and now torque converter gone south. I don't trash my Lux and even when off road I do treat it tenderly.

Toyota quality sucks............... I am going to have a few beers to drown my sorrow.

[Downunderlux]

Well if i was your mate i would have asked toyota to put that in writing, and then taken it all the way. The fitting of a transmitiong cooler will not cause a Auto to fail. For toyota to void waranty they need to prove this item you installed caused the failure, which it would not have.

just my 2c

[tasibrett]

Just a thought , the converter should also be locked when you select 3rd, is the noise still there ? torque converter failure is not that common.

[9W6VX]

dcas,
Unfortunately. consumer rights here are pretty weak since we are still a third world country. Toyota is bloody arrogant as the Lux sells by itself. My mate did not want to go all the way.

tasibrett,
Yeah, noise is still there when in 3rd gear.

EDIT: I might be writing to the Toyota wankers and tell them how I feel about the even though I am out of warranty.

I got very tipsy last night during dinner with my wife and her friends. The red wine was excellent. came back at 10pm and slept like a bloody log.

[tasibrett]

9w, as the converter is locked when you select 3rd I would be looking around a bit more. If the roller bearings are failing( in the conv.) it would be at its noisiest as you take off when its slipping the most. Check your fan belts. stick jammed in against the prop shaft. Could even be a vacuum hose that has been knocked half off.



What was the wine , is it one we should be trying over here ?

[9W6VX]

tasibrett,

Thanks for the input.

Will check it out.


Was an Aussie made red wine. That's all I can remember..................

[Dave]

That sucks man, sorry to hear... never heard of a torque converter on a hilux going at all.

Will keep an eye out for one that might be in a wreck, I have a couple of contacts that may help.

[9W6VX]

Please do Dave.

If it's worthwhile, it could be sent over to KK.

[9W6VX]

Went to a auto transmission specialist this arvo.

He went for a test drive and confirms that the torque converter has gone south.

He will provide me a quote for a rebuilt torque converter and also a new unit. The rebuilt torque converters come with a 6 months warranty.

[9W6VX]

Changed torque converter yesterday and the whine is gone.

Did not want to pay for a new unit as Toyota wanted an arm and a leg for it.

Got a used unit from a 1KZ-T engine with auto trans from the wreckers and it cost AUD$600.

The auto trans guys said that I am the second 6th gen Hilux with torque converter issue. Like I previously said, mine was probably built on a Friday arvo!

[rodw]

Was an Aussie made red wine. That's all I can remember..................

The best wines are the ones you can't remember drinking I always reckon!

Glad you got this sorted. Brendon. You must get a run of good luck from here...

[9W6VX]

Rod,

Thanks mate.



Hope the Lux does not give me any more problems....................

[tasibrett]

9w, did he say what failed in the converter ? yup I'am with you it was friday

[9W6VX]

tasibrett,

The guy has no idea why the torque converter fails.