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Bucking, jerking at 45-60 MPH under acceleration

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by Jrich124, Jul 13, 2017.

  1. Jul 13, 2017 at 5:28 PM
    #1
    Jrich124

    Jrich124 [OP] New Member

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    2007 4runner sport 130,000 miles 6cyl bucks or jerks at around 45+ mph under slight acceleration noticed mostly on slight uphill grade. Seems to happen after the car warms up. Lasts only a second or two and quits until I accelerate again. No codes, Dealer can't find problem. Clean air filter, oil is clean, (no antifreeze that I can see). Have owned this car for 10 years, well maintained, just started this recently. PLEASE help. Joe
     
  2. Jul 13, 2017 at 10:24 PM
    #2
    4thgen-mg

    4thgen-mg New Member

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    Hey Joe,
    I have an 05 with a similar issue.. sounds like you're might be a little more severe than mine..
    This is what I know so far,
    1- it's referred to as a transmission rumble and it's not that rare
    2- the only people I've heard of that have actually fixed the issue are those that were under warranty and had the entire tranny replaced.
    3- a solid theory I've heard it's that it's actually the torque converter going bad.

    I'm waiting for mine to get worse to see if someone can actually diagnose it.
     
  3. Jul 14, 2017 at 6:42 AM
    #3
    Jrich124

    Jrich124 [OP] New Member

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    Still researching, but from what I have read it's probably the torque converter. I will drive it some more until it can be diagnosed and repaired. Thanks Joe
     
  4. Jul 14, 2017 at 7:16 AM
    #4
    brochacho

    brochacho New Member

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    I'm just here because I read your thread title very differently in my head....I have no answers for you, good luck!
     
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  5. Jul 14, 2017 at 9:05 PM
    #5
    larramo

    larramo 3ed gen faithfully

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    3" lift but mostly all stock not a scratch on it it is pristine condition amazing for being 19 years old.
    DID YOU HAVE YOUR TRANSMISSION SERVICED CHANGE FLUID AND FILTER AND WHEN I DID MY TRANS I BOUGHT A SPECIFIC OIL FOR TOYOTAS IT NOT CHEEP $65 PER GALLON AND IT TAKES 1 GALLON AND ONE QT TO FILL IT UP I GOT IT FROM O'REILLY'S SPECIAL ORDER BUT IT IS FULL SYNTHETIC AND WILL LAST A LONG TIME. WHEN I GOT MY 98 4RUNNER IT USED TO SHIFT HARD NOT DOING THAT ANY MORE SINCE I CHANGED THE FLUID AND FILTER WITH THE FLUID I AM TALKING ABOUT. LARRY B
     
    Benny123 and Jrich124[OP] like this.
  6. Jan 18, 2018 at 1:03 PM
    #6
    ATX4Runner

    ATX4Runner New Member

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    RE:Bucking & Jerking at 45-60 MPH
    I had this same issue with my 2005 4Runner. I thought for sure it was something with the transmission. Turns out it was a bad ignition coil. The dealer figured it out and since the ignition coil was replaced it never happened again. Good luck!
     
    captsolo likes this.
  7. Feb 1, 2018 at 9:23 AM
    #7
    lsld222

    lsld222 New Member

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    I can eliminate the rumble by shifting into 4. Drive in 4... no rumble. Drive in D...rumble.
     
  8. Feb 1, 2018 at 9:42 AM
    #8
    WanderlostOverland

    WanderlostOverland New Member

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    By the description of the symptoms it's difficult to tell whether it'd a misfire in the engine or a shudder in the trans. Does it go away if you switch the shifter from Drive to 4th?
     
  9. Feb 1, 2018 at 9:56 AM
    #9
    lsld222

    lsld222 New Member

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    Mine does. Runs fine in 4 but shudders in drive.
     
  10. Feb 1, 2018 at 10:24 AM
    #10
    WanderlostOverland

    WanderlostOverland New Member

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    We had the very same thing happening with our '07 FJ Cruiser around 220, 000 miles. Took it to the dealership and had them do a COMPLETE flush and refill. That was almost 20,000 miles ago, no problems since. If they tell you they can't/ won't do it, go somewhere else. Don't confuse a flush and fill with a drain and fill, not the same.
    Some people will say that flushing will dislodge crud in the system and cause problems, but I don't see the downside. Either you have the converter changed, $$$, or crud will plug a passage where you have to pull the trans,$$$.
    Others will recommend using a product called Shudder Fix or something like that. My trans guy recommends flush and fill first, if it still occurs put in a tube of the stuff as a last resort.
     
    Benny123 likes this.
  11. Feb 1, 2018 at 10:36 AM
    #11
    lsld222

    lsld222 New Member

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    Did the fluid flush. No change. Did the shudder fix. Worked for about 2 months. Shudder is back.
     
  12. Nov 5, 2018 at 6:54 PM
    #12
    hayzjj02

    hayzjj02 New Member

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    Hello, I'm experiencing the same issues on my '06 SR5. were you able to find the problem? i have flushed Trans,fuel injection cleaners, etc, but no change. happens with low RPM's(1-2k) not while accelerating with higher RPM's
     
  13. Mar 24, 2019 at 12:21 PM
    #13
    ct671

    ct671 New Member

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    Same issue here with my 05 SR5, 135K. Any updates?
     
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  14. Jul 17, 2019 at 6:31 PM
    #14
    Nickwt4r

    Nickwt4r New Member

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    First post on any forums but I had a similar problem with my 96 limited.. 2 months ago I noticed some “bucking” while on the highway going around 60 mph and around 2000 rpms.
    The truck didn’t throw a code so I read on some forums and replaced plugs, wires, and a fuel filter. I couldn’t tell if it was a transmission problem or an engine problem. Instead of taking it in I figured I’d wait till it threw a CEL or until the tranny blew. 2 months later it throws a code for a cylinder 4 misfire (P0304). Since I did the plugs I decided to swap out coil packs between cylinders 1-2 and 3-4. Nothing changed. Then said screw it and picked up a used FUEL INJECTOR for cylinder 4. BOOM she’s running fine now. Hope this helps
     
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  15. Jul 18, 2019 at 8:44 AM
    #15
    ct671

    ct671 New Member

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    It took nearly a year for the code to pop up but my problem was related to the cylinder 5 coil which was cracked nearly in half. I had the same problem typically from going uphill. FINALLY my 4Runner drives smooth.
     
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  16. Jul 18, 2019 at 8:50 AM
    #16
    Benny123

    Benny123 Toyota enthusiast

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    LEDs all around, otherwise bone stock.
    Have you greased your driveshaft zerks?
    Changed oil in front diff, transfer case and rear end?
     
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  17. Jul 19, 2019 at 7:41 AM
    #17
    ct671

    ct671 New Member

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    Front, center, and rear in March 2018 but the problem got worse over the following year until the error code popped up. For me, the symptoms were the same but the cure was finding the broken coil.
     
  18. Jul 19, 2019 at 7:59 AM
    #18
    captsolo

    captsolo New Member

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    Good post Nick! I haven't had any running issues with my 2005 4 runner V6 (150,000 miles - all short trips). Maintenance free - except new 10W-30 oil every 6 months. I'm in hot hot hot Bahamas - so I use slightly higher weight oil (10W - 30).

    Had the dealer do the transmission fluid change at 100,000 miles. Shifts fine still. Wonder what is recommended for 200,000 miles on 4 runners?

    No codes since I purchased the vehicle!

    Jrich: Just guessing, but the bucking on accelerations sounds like fuel issue - perhaps filter, but I'm not sure 4 runners have them - except inside the tank.

    Change the spark plugs. Run a good scan tool for the injectors and the coils.

    Bucking = Check the timing.
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2021
  19. Aug 29, 2020 at 7:27 AM
    #19
    Eddie

    Eddie New Member

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    I’ve been having the same issue for months. Bucking and jerking when accelerating from 55-70 mph. I’ve had new spark plugs, new alternator, currently not throwing codes (last 2 weeks) but before it was throwing cylinder 6 misfire... shop swapped my 3/6 coils to test them when they replaced alternator 2 weeks ago. Everything else checks fine. Thinking I should just replace the 6 coil and see what happens. The flush and fill remedy has me intrigued tho as well...
    372,000 original miles. I’ve maintained him perfectly on schedule from day one.
     
  20. Sep 3, 2020 at 2:55 AM
    #20
    captsolo

    captsolo New Member

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    Take it to a good mechanic before you throw more parts at it. Sounds like a timing issue or HG.
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2020
  21. Oct 20, 2020 at 2:49 PM
    #21
    Eddie

    Eddie New Member

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    Codes came back a few weeks ago, same cylinder 6 which means it’s not the coils. Kept it overnight and did a cold start pressure test and looked w scope.. sure enough water in cylinder 6. Cracked head or cylinder either way engine gets pulled in 2 weeks and complete rebuild happening. Lasted 380,000. Everything else great lol
     
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  22. Oct 22, 2020 at 5:40 AM
    #22
    captsolo

    captsolo New Member

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  23. Dec 19, 2020 at 4:14 AM
    #23
    AntonioCm1983

    AntonioCm1983 New Member

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    Same problem for me with my 2000 4runner but I had spark plugs coils and wires in for over 160 thousand miles it was surging every once in awhile at idle but after I changed the spark plugs wires and coils its now idling great but when I hit 55mph to 60mph the rpms hit 1650 and sit there fine then randomly you will feel it buck and it will jump to 2000 rpms and it happens in milliseconds it bucks then you see the rpms go up then the rpms immediately go back to 1650 its not constant 3 times on a 130 mile round trip I think one of the new coils I installed is bad if the coils aren't consistent it can cause bucking and since the problem for me went from fish biting and surging idle to idle is fine but there is now bucking im caulking it up to bad coils what do you all think.. my transmission only hard shifts also when I have the ect button on when I turn the ect button off mine shifts smooth as butter
     
  24. Dec 19, 2020 at 5:07 AM
    #24
    captsolo

    captsolo New Member

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    When was the last time transmission was serviced? I'd let the dealer do it for $120.

    I have 2005 150,000 SR5 - drive train still perfect - no issues. Had the tranny D/F (6 quarts) at 110,000 by dealer.

    Good luck
     
  25. Dec 19, 2020 at 6:07 AM
    #25
    AntonioCm1983

    AntonioCm1983 New Member

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    Transmission was serviced 3 weeks ago complete flush and fill the hard shifting never changed happened before the complete flush my truck also has over 480 thousand miles

     
  26. Aug 3, 2022 at 8:19 PM
    #26
    Yoda4

    Yoda4 New Member

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    Mine is doing the same thing. Had a misfire on cylinder 6 code last August so I replaced it with an aftermarket coil pack, thought that was the problem so I recently replaced it with a Toyota coil pack and it is smoother but still has that slight miss at about 50-55 mph on acceleration and usually going uphill. I just ordered the other 5 coil packs so when I get them changed I’ll report back. Mine has 239k miles and had head gasket replaced at about 180k miles.
     
  27. Aug 6, 2022 at 4:22 PM
    #27
    Yoda4

    Yoda4 New Member

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  28. Aug 6, 2022 at 4:47 PM
    #28
    Yoda4

    Yoda4 New Member

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    I just picked up my coil packs yesterday from the dealer but in the last few days I’ve been doing lots of research. I ran across something that said if the hose coming from the pcv valve was hard it probably needs to be changed out because the compressed air is probably leaking so, I checked and mine and it was rock hard with a one inch crack in it where it plugs into the pcv valve. I went to the parts store and they gave me a small piece of rubber hose (would have only cost a dollar). My issue was almost completely solved just by replacing this hose. Just a very slight roughness was left on uphill acceleration at 50-55 mph. The next day when I picked up the coil packs I also picked up a pcv valve from the dealer ( only 7.50). My issue was completely solved after this. No more rough misfire feeling after this. I still changed out the coil packs because it has 239k miles and I’m not sure when they were changed last. Pcv valve is an inexpensive place to start though!
     
  29. May 2, 2023 at 6:04 PM
    #29
    nomas

    nomas New Member

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    similar issue here: jerking up hill with consistent acceleration or if I release gas and give the truck heavy throttle after cruising... did you end up getting to the bottom of this?
     

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