Got a 91 V6 Camry I'm fixing for a friend, though I'm not exactly a master mechanic. Quite suddenly the transmission started slipping and it was very reluctant to go into first, and when it does, it doesn't seem to go in all the way, but the car still moves if you give it enough gas, then it shudders, and pops into second very violently. The gears above first don't seem to behave a reluctantly as the first one. A friend told me to drain the transmission and change the transmission screen filter, refill, and it should loosen up those gears. I did this, which it did need pretty badly, but after running through all of the gears several times it doesn't seem to have made any difference. Should I tell my friend to get a new car, or is there a relatively inexpensive solution to this?

Does the pan leak oil? I had the problem in my 1989 Camry 4cyl where the transmission was FALLING out and had to be tightened and stuff. Now it shifts fine.

If it has high miles on it, like more than 150,000, it's on its last leg; the average life for automatic tranmissions is 150,000 to 200,000 miles; after that, it's time for a rebuild.

I disagree with that on Camrys. I have had many Camrys with over 170k on them w/o needing a rebuild.

I disagree with that on Camrys. I have had many Camrys with over 170k on them w/o needing a rebuild.

I must agree, I have over 310,000 miles on the original trans!!

You all have more than likely keep your transmissions well maintained, and that's very good. Toyota, next to older Volvos, have the longest life on their transmissions. But ON AVERAGE ACROSS THE BOARD, transmissions don't last that long. One thing that I forgot to mention in my original post, is make sure that the level is at the proper mark. If not, than that could a very good reason why you have a slipping problem in addition to fluid condition/color.

It sounds like it may be the TC. Very rarely will it be the tranny but the converter causing the problem with a fluid pressure issue. But when it is as old as it is I'd say rebuild it before it gets any older.