Transmission Rebuild

[jacko77 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jacko77]

I''m having serious reservations about going ahead with a torque converter/transmission rebuild that's been recommended by my transmission specialist. Hoping someone on here may have gone through something similar to help me decide if its necessary. Here's the issue/s (have posted separately about this, apologies for spam):

2010 GXL Auto with 230000kms. Bought recently. Has electric towing brakes and caravan power fitted so must have done some towing in the past.

Issue 1
Had intermittent torque converter shudder when driving med/long distances since I bought the car a few months ago. Ended up getting dash warning lights of Engine Light+4LO flashing+Slip Indicator. Got it checked and had error codes:
- P1604 Startability
- P2757 Torque Converter Clutch Pressure Control Solenoid Control Circuit Performance or Stuck in Off Position.
Got a transmission flush and service and the shudder has gone, but last week had the christmas tree dash lights return. Had the codes checked again and the Torque Converter code had returned as pending (told this means it has occurred but not long enough to trigger proper fault), but not the startability code. Based on this I've been told I need the torque converter rebuilt and possibly more in the transmission for anywhere between $2.5-$6k.
My mechanic said it'd be fine to keep driving as is but the transmission specialist said ill do damage. He said if the code has reoccurred then the torque converter could still be playing up without me feeling it anymore.

Issue 2
Starter motor has stayed on for about a second after the car has started on two occasions. Advice is to get a new starter.

I've been told by a few mechanically minded people I trust that the transmission in these cars don't really ever need rebuilding, hence my trepidation to get a full rebuild done. Anyone been in a similar situation and just kept driving it? I wont be doing any towing. Has anyone had the the dash warning lights listed above for torque converter issues? Wondering if the old starter motor is throwing them or the torque converter.

Any help/input/advise would be great. So be it if I have to do the rebuild, just getting so much conflicting info its hard to know what the general consensus is!

[adrian5800 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close adrian5800]

You need to get it properly diagnosed - using Techstream or a proper scan tool (Autel, Gscan, Snapon etc) and check live data on a road test. This is the P2757 section from the factory manual. https://www.dropbox.com/s/gm5jnx9xoe...p2757.pdf?dl=0

Here's the P1604 section https://www.dropbox.com/s/b5g97puec0...p1604.pdf?dl=0

[jacko77 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jacko77]

Thanks mate, any idea if I need to take it to a Toyota Service Centre or would most reputable transmission places be able to do the above?

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

Has the tranny had regular oil changes, does it have an oil cooler, and what condition was the oil in? Supposedly sealed for life, but with towing the oil is often stuffed by 100k. If it has towed and oil hasn't been changed then things won't be good, it's a mechanical device with lots of close tolerance mechanical parts that require good quality lubrication to function.

[jacko77 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jacko77]

Definitely towed before I bought it, and I think the recent transmission service was the first in a long time. The old fluid was burnt/off colour and there’s no record of previous trans service. Been told by some people it’s fine and to drive it as is, been told by others I shouldn’t be driving it at all. Repair starting at $2.5k makes it hard to commit if it isn’t necessary, but I hate not fixing things...
Think I should just give it to the guys that are pros and get it fixed!

[jacko77 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jacko77]

Forgot to add that I don’t think it has a trans oil cooler