Jordan Hill is an ASE Master Certified Technician with over 24 years of experience diagnosing and repairing all makes and models, from domestic light trucks to high-performance imports. Known for his expertise in advanced diagnostics, electrical troubleshooting, ADAS calibration, and hybrid/electric vehicle systems, Jordan has managed shops, led teams, and mentored the next generation of technicians. His work blends hands-on mechanical skill with cutting-edge technology, including factory scan tools, lab scopes, and remote diagnostic platforms.... Read more
Rushit Hila is the founder of YOUCANIC and a passionate advocate for empowering car owners through knowledge. With a background in automotive diagnostics and years of hands-on repair experience, Rushit leads the YOUCANIC team in creating practical, easy-to-follow guides and tools that help drivers fix their own vehicles. His mission is simple: make car repair less intimidating and more accessible for everyone.
The following vehicle study is a real-world example of diagnosing and repairing a Toyota transmission issue. Our customer, Jake, stated that his check engine light had been on in his 2007 Toyota Tundra for the past three days. The 4LOW, traction control, and VSC OFF lights were also on and blinking. When driving in stop-and-go traffic, the transmission felt like it was slipping from first to second gear.
After performing a health scan of all modules in the vehicle, there were 2 faults found in the engine control module: P2714 Pressure Control Solenoid ‘D’ Performance or Stuck Off and P0751 Shift Solenoid ‘A’ Performance or Stuck Off. The next step was to review freeze frame data, code set criteria, and check TIS, Toyota’s Technical Information System, for any applicable technical bulletins. There was one TSB related to the Tundra’s fault codes.
The bulletin instructions led us to verify the transmission fluid level first, and if the level is satisfactory, then to replace the transmission and update the engine control module’s programming. The current calibration ID of the ECM was checked, which confirmed that the update had not been previously performed. While verifying the fluid level, a sample of the transmission fluid was collected, and it was quite dark with visible pieces of metal in the fluid.
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We called our local Toyota dealership for pricing and availability on a remanufactured transmission, and the truck’s owner was called to discuss the shop’s findings. Jake needed to talk the repair over with his fiancée, as this was an expensive repair on a higher mileage (210,000 miles) truck. In the end, they decided to move forward with the transmission replacement since they had recently ordered a custom camper top for the Tundra and already had a road trip planned for their honeymoon.
The transmission removal and replacement procedures were straightforward on this Tundra, with two points worth highlighting. The first being that to verify both the alignment pins (also called straight pins) are installed on the rear side of the engine block. It is possible for one of the pins to remain in the transmission bell housing and be overlooked. A missing alignment pin can result in incorrect engine-to-transmission alignment and potentially damage the flex plate, torque converter, or the input shaft.
The second installation note to mention is presenting the option of replacing the starter motor to the owner. The starter is tucked behind the right-side exhaust manifold on this 3UR-FE, and while it is not quite as buried as the 4.7-liter starter under the intake manifold, at 5 hours book time, it is a labor-intensive job. This option makes sense, especially on higher-mileage vehicles, to replace the starter with the transmission at no additional labor charge. Jake and his soon-to-be bride authorized the new Denso starter motor, as it was an original part, and they had no intention of getting stranded on their upcoming road trip.
After the OE-rebuilt transmission was installed and the cooler was thoroughly flushed, it was time to reprogram the ECM. Before starting the programming session, ensure that a charger is connected to the battery to maintain proper voltage levels. The updated calibration file is accessed through the Technical Bulletin.
The Calibration Identification Chart has hyperlinks for each of the updated files. Once…
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