Hey there "forumistes..."
Sorry for the delay since I last posted (major operation and rehab - alas! my football playing days are over - still recovering!). Careful (and hence) - I'm still and AF newbie!

Well, I bought a 92 camry for lil' sis (off to college) and a year later she brings it back to me sighing and whining (no gratitude whatsoever - may I add)...
The problem:
- when starting in drive (D), the tranny is slow and sluggish to pick up any speed (almost around 4 seconds to hit 5 mph); almost seems as if the car is in (N) ... tried this 3 times with the same result - hot or cold start
- I tried the stunt at some traffic lights and heard some insults (when the lights said "go") which I thought were yet to be invented.
- So for the past week, I've had to shift Manually - starting with (L) and then straight to (D) when I hit second gear which, from there fortunately, moves and shifts smoothly (until I stop again; whereby I must resume my manual duties).
- Took it to "tom the mechanic around the corner" and he claims he flushed it twice - but no improvement (tranny fluid looks the same color)... he has no more answers but the dreaded: "needs a new one"
Any Ideas (or guidance)?
Thanks
Server_Bmw

The transmission guy is screwing you. If he flushes it, the fluid will be red until the fluid is 100% trashed, or worn out. He probably recognizes that yall need a rebuild & doesn't want to waste the time with it.

Other than that, I'm 90% sure yall have burned the first gear clutch & maybe the brake for it. You HAVE to stop driving an automatic transmission immediately when they start to slip. Otherwise kiss the clutches good-bye in a few min/few miles.
Drain the fluid out of the transmission & drop the pan.
If the bits are non-metallic, it's clutch particles.
Iron and steel are gear wear
non-ferrous particles are aluminum, brass and babbitt from bearings. A little bit is just normal wear, but if it's everywhere, or there's a lot of it, something is shot, or standing infront of the firing squad.





You can try flushing it yourself.

The filter is a little press metal unit with a small mesh screen on it. it's held up there by 3 * 10mm bolts. Check the mesh screen for particles.



Good luck with it! I hope it's just crappy fluid.

yes sir!!!!!
Thanks a heap (do they still use that word? - oh well)
Well the dude was definately using me for a wet rag!!
- flushed the tranny myself and the fluid - if you could still call it that- was really really sticky and brown (caramel anyone?)
- did it over again (3x) and drove it at intervals until the car suddenly took off!!
- shifting from gear one isn't all that bad but could be better (but has improved drastically)
- noticed non ferrous particles (as indicated and think i just might have to go for a rebuilt one) but no metal particles whatsoever - strange?
- i'll drive her around for 3 days anticipating improvement and if not, i'll have to take her to the dealer for an "expert opinion"
- before that however, one of the stops i'll make is at the "mechanic" - demanding a full refund - you see, i made a video of all my work and the fluid before and after
- thanks for the heads up
- godspeed
server

Good luck with it! The non-ferrite particles are from all the little clutches normally.
If you caught it in time, you didn't completely wear them out & it'll drive like normal as soon as it can build the correct pressure in all passages of the system.

Keep trying I guess.
Make sure you're chekcing the fluid level a lot. Once the car is warmed up to operating temp (Drive aruond the block)

Park. Shift to every stop & back to P. Then get out & check the hot fluid level.