ScionLife.com

genners · 04-12-2005, 04:11 PM

Well, I'm on day #8 and the car has begun to act up. I'm going to have my fiance look at it this week and if he can't figure it out, I'm taking it to the dealership. It's having problems engaging and disengaging in drive and reverse. When I back out of my driveway and put it into drive once I get positioned on the road the car makes a ka-chunk noise, throws me back in my seat, hesitates, and then finally it seems like it says - "OH, you wanted me to go forward, didn't you?" and will finally move forward. Those few moments between shifting it from reverse to drive are very important as I am on a busy street and need to get my butt moving as quickly as possible before I get rear-ended (there's a curve right next to my driveway and cars don't always slow down as they go around it). It started acting up yesterday - it's an automatic, by thw way.

Does anyone have any ideas as to why this is happening? I haven't heard of any problem like this so far, so it must just be specific to mine. I haven't done anything wrong and am breaking it in like the owner manual instructs. Thanks.

JasonH · 04-12-2005, 04:15 PM

Does it only happen when the transmission is cold? Have the mornings lately been colder than the preceding week? Sounds like normal behavior for a cold automatic. It usually takes a split second (or second) longer to engage the gears when the transmission is cold. Have the dealer check it out, though.

genners · 04-12-2005, 04:18 PM

Actually, it has been cooler the past two days now that you mention it . . . I drove it 100 miles on Saturday and another 100 on Sunday with no problems - it was very warm and sunny out - and I drove it in the afternoon when it was warmer. The past two days it happened first thing early morning - both times; no problems on my way home.

phatcyclist · 04-12-2005, 04:26 PM

that definately sounds like your tranny is cold. You could always let it warm up for a minute or two in your driveway if it is really cold outside.

genners · 04-12-2005, 04:30 PM

how do I delete this post?

fausty · 04-12-2005, 04:32 PM

You talk really well for only being 8 days old.

No, really...it sounds like you just need to let it warm up a bit, perhaps.

silver_trd_tc · 04-12-2005, 04:32 PM

it could be the tranny mount on the front mine was loose when i got mine bcak in july open the hood and put it in gear -- with your foot on the brake -- have your hubby look at the mount as it goes into gear to see if it moves

genners · 04-12-2005, 04:35 PM

I'll do both. I'll let it run awhile before driving it and I'll also do what silver trd tc recommended and see if I can't find out what's wrong. Thanks so much!

wyldkard · 04-12-2005, 04:43 PM

The other night I messed with mine for about a minute trying to get it in Reverse and it wouldn't go, so I just rolled backwards out of the parking space.

-Z

bigmouth2008 · 04-12-2005, 04:44 PM

I think that "ka-chunk noise" is your ABS engaged, which is normal. In general, you should come to a complete stop before you shift from R to D. When the weather is cold, there will be a short delay when the gear engaged, that happened to my Camry a lot when I lived in Utah. I guess you just need to let the car run for like 5 minutes. Or you can try to back off a little bit, and go forward a little bit, and go back off again. So all those gear are lubricated.

SpdLmtNA · 04-12-2005, 04:44 PM

I dont care how "cold" your tranny is... that is not the way a transmission is supposed to behave. You spent a good deal of money on your car. Don't waste anymore time, and take it to the dealership and have it fixed under powertrain warranty. I had the same issue with my VW, and they put in a new transmission without question.

Captain_tC · 04-12-2005, 04:52 PM

I would take it to the dealer. People on this forum offer good advice sometimes, but the fact is they are just guessing most of the time. They have never seen your car or heard the sound you described. I got my car in november when it was freezing cold and I have not heard any funny sounds when shifting from reverse to drive. Eliminate any doubt and have a tech look at it.

Ka-chunk on the 8th day is a no-no in my new car book.

PlayinWithFire · 04-12-2005, 05:57 PM

the same thing has happened to me when i have backed out in the past... just make sure u come to a complete stop... shift, then go. Hey you could always try backin into your driveway instead of havin to back out. Good luck with ur tC

mancide · 04-12-2005, 06:37 PM

8 day old car? Take it to the dealer. Don't waste time trying to diagnose it yourself unless the dealer can't find it.

tyscion · 04-12-2005, 07:45 PM

I notice that when I roll out of my driveway and try to put it into reverse, I have a similar problem. Try rolling out to a stop then putting it in reverse or putting it in reverse then rolling out.

genners · 04-14-2005, 04:56 AM

I let it warm up. Noticed that the idle went from really fast to a normal pace after 5 minutes. No problems engaging/disengaging gears. I'm hoping that was all it was. We'll see. I'll post if it act up again.

sonic_va · 04-14-2005, 05:33 AM

yeah...warming up is always good. I'm guilty of driving off to soon sometimes myself.

vtianvt · 06-28-2005, 03:03 PM

Mine has a similar ping, clink, click, noise coming after shifting up or down (as soon as clutch is out and after). Sometimes it happens 2-4 times in a gear. Does not happen with constant speed, but only acceleration or deceleration. Currently at the dealer where they have no clue what it is, surprise... They tightened the suspension and front end down, but still there. The noise does not occur when it is on the lift without pressure on the wheels. The tech thought it might be some cable hitting something else, but I told him I'm pretty sure it wasn't, especially how loud it was and the frequency at times.

What has been mentioned already, what is the culprit...
1. synchros
2. transmission mount
3. shift linkage
4. lug nuts loose
5. tensioner

Your guess?? Or has anyone had this problem fixed.

Here are a few other posts on this similar topic including this one...

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/view...e+accelerating

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/view...noise+shifting

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/view...noise+shifting

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/view...fting&start=25

Thanks.

farberio · 06-28-2005, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain tC

I would take it to the dealer. People on this forum offer good advice sometimes, but the fact is they are just guessing most of the time. They have never seen your car or heard the sound you described. I got my car in november when it was freezing cold and I have not heard any funny sounds when shifting from reverse to drive. Eliminate any doubt and have a tech look at it.

Ka-chunk on the 8th day is a no-no in my new car book.

Thanks for your trust. Most of us that offer advice have had the experiance or know enough to have a rough idea. You don't see me making advice on anything more then I know and I would expect others to do the same. I won't begin to tell you how to take apart your piston engine, just like you shouldn't tell me about my rotary engine.

tcmann · 06-29-2005, 09:21 AM

this is normal for the car to do that especially since its new.. the car's components are all new. the first 300 miles will be like that but try not to beat up the car too much or you will have long term problems with it later... Dont worry though.. if the problem persists and worsens, of course take it to the dealer and ask.. they are the experts, but, i dont tink you should worry about it.. try sticking it into drive, then neutral, drive, neutral, then reverse too se if the kicking persists.