Does Changing Battery Erase TSB Transmission Fix?

[emccu01]

Hi everyone. My 08 camry has 63k miles on it and for the past 5 the car has not been shifting very smoothly. I had the update for the transmission done at 7k miles and the car was driving great after that. I changed the battery around 58k and thereafter my transmission wasn't as smooth. It is a little rough getting into 2 and 3rd gear and when slowing down I can feel it down shifting more than I think I should. No slippage or anything like that. Car runs great otherwise.

I called the dealer and they think that the car needs to re learn the driving pattern but that was 5 k ago. The other day I disconnected the battery for 30 minutes to reset the ecm and try again. It is the same. The dealer says the resetting of the battery and changing it won't affect the update. I don't agree. Does anyone have some thoughts? I want them to reinstall it.

Thanks,
Ed

[tengiday]

I don't think changing a new battery has an effect on TSB update. The TSB, I think, is stored in the memory like flash memory, which won't be affected by power loss. How far have you been driving since resetting ECU (the driving distance is more important than the time you keep your car)?

[emccu01]

Its been about 800 miles since I reset the ecu.

[knightslugger]

PCM/TCM/BCM Flashes are stored in non-corrosive memory.

[Joe Dirt]

I've been having some issues with my trans and the lagging shifts that I've been told by both the dealer and other Camry owners- is normal (which I think was true to a certain extent) I did have the re-burn done, but the number on the sticker I have under the hood is different (but I think a more recent version) and noticed no difference in how the car shifted.

Saturday at 83k I took my I-4 AT in, and they did a pan drop and WF refill on the trans for $30 to try and fix the issue for me (great service), and the car feels totally different. Just thought I'd pass that on... My issues were more with the slooooow shifts when not on the gas, and erratic downshifts. Car is much smoother now.

[emccu01]

What does WF refill stand for?

I can also provide some more detail as to what I have had done/have had happen to the car.

1. Around 45k car started to make crackling noise while under heavy load. Engine also idled poorly more so than what was acceptable.
Resolution- Changed plugs but that did not fix it. Used Seafoam spray into my intake and this took care of the crackling noise!

2. Car started to shift progressively worse. Sometimes the car would just "check up" when I was about to hit the gas after coasting to a stop. It felt terrible. Performance was also down and the car shifted very rough through the gears.
Resolution- Car finally threw three codes. I can get them but I forget them off the top of my head. One was a cylinder wasn't firing and I had low voltage to a sensor. The dealer looked at it and said my MAF was bad. I later found out that my K&N filter killed it because I over oiled it and shorted it out. The new MAF allowed for the car to drive very well. This was done at 61k miles. Driving the car home the car was all over the place with shifting. It was smoother but it seemed to stay in gear longer before shifting almost like a slipping feeling. As I drove the car more it got better and better. I did some reading online and found that you can reset the ecm by disconnecting the battery. I did this as well and the car started to relearn. It drives better than before but I feel it should be smoother through the gears.

*** at 60k I had maintenance done at the dealer for the Tranny. They flushed the fluid out ( I don't think they changed it) I hear some people say it is not good to flush but that is what they did.

Hope this creates a better picture

[Joe Dirt]

WF- World Fluid, it's a specific type, not your standard fare if you were going to grab it at Autozone or something...

If they did a flush, the fluid should be ok then. I'd say you have a software issue, or something mechanical is going on. I still haven't learned everything about this car, as it's my first Toyota. I do know I don't care for the shifting though. It's way too sloppy for me.

[hevster1]

First off the fluid is Type WS=world standard. It is a synthetic low viscosity fluid which is supposed to give better fuel mileage. Amsoil makes a better version which works very well.

I would recommend replacing your filter and changing your fluid. Flushes are ok but your trans has a conventional filter which does need service from time to time.

Removal of the battery will not cause a change in the ecm flash. I do suggest this however. Disconnect the battery ground and wait 10 seconds. Touch the ground to the positive and hold there for 10 seconds. Wait 5 minutes. Repeat the ground to positive for 10 seconds and then reconnect. This puts it into learn mode. Take it on an aggressive test drive on 95 Or 476 or 276. I suggest you do this AFTER replacement of the filter.

[emccu01]

Where can I get the trans filter changed? I'm afraid to try this myself. I am pretty handy but I don't want to mess with the tranny. Do you recommend a local shop? The dealer told me that they only do flushes.

Will I get a shock if I do the battery ground steps above? Do I touch the negative cable at all?

Thanks for the help.

[Joe Dirt]

Thanks hevster1 for the clarification- I knew it was World (something)!

[emccu01]

I assume the ground cable is right under my airbox correct? Is it long enough to reach once I unscrew it?

When I take the car on the highway should I do that right after I make these changes. I am about 4 miles from a highway and don't want to screw it up getting there.

Should I focus on fast accelearation multiple times or one run to a high speed?

Thanks for the help!

[Mike Murrell]

Battery ground is attached to negative post on battery. Hold by insulated area if you like.

Fluid filter change in my opinion is diyer-doable - if you know what you are doing.

Transmission in 2GR-FE 6 cyl engine has 7 shift solenoid valve connectors that disconnect + temp sensor - all accessible once transmission pan is off. After that - 3 bolts are removed for filter - Toyota calls it Valve Body Oil Strainer.

Backing up a bit - 2GR-FE transmission pan has 18 bolts - gasket(you replace on reassembly) and 2 magnets on bottom of pan that need to be removed to clean. Stuff on magnet can give transmission tech an idea what's wearing in the box.

Have not seen a 4 cyl layout - likely very similar.

If you can't do it yourself - take to a Toyota dealer or reputable independent transmission shop. Do not take to AAMCO or any of those other chain operations that employ dishonest-unknowing people.

You are about 70-75 mi. from hevster1.

[DOHCammer]

Originally Posted by Mike Murrell

Fluid filter change in my opinion is diyer-doable - if you know what you are doing.


If you can't do it yourself - take to a Toyota dealer or reputable independent transmission shop.

Even if you know what you're doing I wouldn't attempt it. I watched the techs do the fluid change on my car and it's not easy at all. This comes from someone that has installed shift kits in older trans' and set up rear ends. There is a specific fill procedure that involves the Techstream to measure the trans fluid temp. The level is checked when the fluid is in between a small temperature window. The bottom plug on the pan is pulled and fluid is injected though a fitting on the side of the case until fluid trickles out that bottom plug during the specific fluid temp range. Fluid level is CRITICAL on this trans. Pay the dealer and get it done correctly. Your $4000 trans (parts and labor) is at stake here, don't cheap out.

[Mike Murrell]

I've seen what you describe on some GM 4L30 transmissions used in Isuzu's - Honda Passports.

There are others that use this drain-fill-from-bottom approach at a given temp with proprietary gadgetry to measure fluid temp.

The transmission attached to my '06 2GR-FE engine has none of what you describe.

'06 auto transmission - 2GR-FE engine - fluid/filter change very straight-forward as laid out above.

Perhaps 2007 and fwd. brought change.

[DOHCammer]

07 and up Camry V6 has the 6-speed trans that I described in my last post. As you can see it's a PITA. Almost every problem we've seen with this trans was caused by an improperly filled unit. Some because of flushes/fills and others direct from the factory with improper levels. This trans must have the correct fluid level in order to operate properly and even then its a crap shoot.