93 Camry Auto Trans Shifting Problem

[RBeavers]

Trying to figure this problem out. Need everyone's input.

I am having problems with my '93 Camry 4 cyl., automatic trans.
When I move the shift lever from PARK to DRIVE, the car seems to want to start off in 2nd gear, totally bypassing 1st gear. I have been manually shifting the car from L to 2 to D as I need, as my speed increases. From time to time the whole "shifting" operation would work fine (i.e. on a long drive, on a hot day, etc) but I couldn't identify a pattern as to the "working correctly/not working correctly".

Since the problems were intermittent, I suppose it is something electronic going out. (By the way, no noises, vibrations, etc. to raise a flag). I think it is the TRANSMISSION CONTROL SOLENOID going out. The no. 1, I think. Took them both out today to bench test tomorrow. I can't do the O/D blinking/diagnostic thing. For some reason, my 93 doesn't even have an O/D light...I took the instrument cluster out today and checked to see if the bulb is burned out. The cluster doesn't have the O/D light system installed. Go figure!

BUT, last week, out of the blue with NO warning, sounds, vibrations, etc. when I shifted into REVERSE, the car wouldn't move at all. Never a warning or partial working/not working, etc. for this problem. If I rev the engine up (to bout 4,000 rpm) I can get the car to back up - SLOOOOOWLY. Have been advoiding using reverse best I can.

When I shift to REVERSE, I can SLIGHTLY feel the tranny shift...or something shift/move, etc. But not enough strength that the shift usually feels like.

I have been investigating online trying to find solutions. I have found where the TRAN CONTROL SOLENOID operates the D,2,L, but NOTHING on how the REVERSE works. Does the TCS also control the REVERSE shifting?? What else can I check???

Please Respond!!!

[ratchetgmc]

i have a 93 v6 that has recently starting to have this exact same problem as you are describing. i would like to add that when the transmission is cold the reverse works better; after trans hot; slipping reverse.

[DFBonnett]

What is the condition of the trans fluid? Have you had the pan down? Is the intake screen on the oil pump clogged?

[ratchetgmc]

yes i have taken pan down when this started; trans fluid looked and smelled old and had what i consider too many metal shavings in the fluid. some small peices of metal. also replaced filter and refilled with amsoil trans fluid. this only replaces fluid in the transmission not the torque converter. seems to me that it could be a pressure problem. how much metal fillings in the fluid is to be expected. what is the job of the transmission control solenoids.

[DFBonnett]

Originally Posted by ratchetgmc

yes i have taken pan down when this started; trans fluid looked and smelled old and had what i consider too many metal shavings in the fluid. some small peices of metal. also replaced filter and refilled with amsoil trans fluid. this only replaces fluid in the transmission not the torque converter. seems to me that it could be a pressure problem. how much metal fillings in the fluid is to be expected. what is the job of the transmission control solenoids.

I'm no trans expert but I know there should be very little in the way of filings. "Some small pieces of metal" is troubling. The solenoids control shifting based upon input from the PCM.
I think you need to get an onsite opinion from a trans specialist.
FWIW
YMMV
DFB

[ehrets]

Hi All,

What was the fix for your car for this problem?

I have a 92 V6XLE, 162,000 acting very similar to these threads. The vehicle will run for a short time and then, I think when it warms up, it starts acting like the tranny is slipping, doesn't seem to matter which gear I select. It gets so bad that the car won't move in any gear. If you let the car sit for a short while, turn off engine, then restart, it will shift and go again for an indeterminate period of time.

The tranny has been flushed with new fluid (2X) because the kid drove this car into 3 feet of water. The original flush showed some signs of carmel froth look with dark coloring, but second flush looked much better.

I have no flashing O/D light, which suggests there is no fault code, but I haven't checked for one yet. Sure seems to sound like a No1 or 2 shift solenoid problem. Any ideas?

Thanx