I have a 2012 Toyota Tundra 5.7L 4x4 with 232,000 miles on it. Recently the check engine light, and traction control came on as well as the 4lo light blinking. I brought it into the shop and they told me it was a transmission issue with the codes P0761 and P2714. They then referred to a transmission shop since they would not be able to perform the work. I tried calling other shops in the area and only his recommendation is willing to look at it. Unofficial estimate to rebuild is around $5,200 or brand new around $7,000 (labor and parts). The problem with new, is it could take 30-45 days for it to come in. The only time I feel any issue is first time getting up to 40 mph in the morning. The issue does not repeat during the day, nor does it happen every day. The only other repair I have had to do on this truck for the 10 years of owning it is putting in a new alternator about 3 months ago. Should I get the transmission rebuilt if that is what's needed, or time to look for a new truck in this crazy market? TIA!
When is the last time the transmission was serviced? Does it have sufficient fluid and what is the fluid's condition?
https://www.engine-codes.com/p0761.html
https://www.engine-codes.com/p2714.html
Here's where I hang my head in shame. It has not been serviced... ever. Long story, by the time I could get it done I was over 100k miles and had numerous people tell me if you havent done it yet, its best not to. So, this issue is 100% my own doing. It has fluid, and its safe to assume since its the factory fluid its probably in bad shape.
See the site FAQ for the gory details on evaluating whether it's reasonably safe to change the fluid. According to Scotty, Toyota transmissions are not as sensitive as some others that way but you'd still want to take stock of the situation before doing anything.
Hmm. If I were making the decision, this is how I would go about.
1. Start cheap. As @chucktobias alluded to. Change the old transmission fluid. (Save the old fluid just in case things get worse and put back the old fluid if things get worse with new fluid.) One of the culprits could simply be dirty fluid, based on the OBDII codes.
If this works, great! If it does nothing, move on to the next thing.
2. Do the math of a payment plan for a new truck, or taking the hit on a new or rebuilt transmission. Is the projection of a new/rebuilt transmission worth the $5-$8K? Or is it more cost effective to get a new truck? If you asked me this question pre-pandemic, it would be new truck. But the way availability and pricing was for new trucks during the pandemic, suggests to fix it.
I'm leaning towards fixing it, my only hesitation is if things continue down this path my car budget will get drained in short time if something else major goes south. The price of used trucks and the IR% on older models which would probably be the way I would have to go tells me to fix it. These are overrated times in the car world. Tomorrow the shop is going to take a look at it and we see what they say before making any major decisions.