88 Camry Rough Shift 1st to 2nd Gear

[ProMan]

Auto Trans. Only rough from 1st gear to 2nd, car jerks badly. Others are very smooth. Anyone knows how to take care of this? Anything I can adjust?

[Brian R.]

How long has it been since you've flushed the transmission fluid? May help if you do.

I don't think there is any adjustment for this. If it is a mechanical problem, it is probably in the servo.

[JOET/CAMRY]

Originally Posted by Brian R.

How long has it been since you've flushed the transmission fluid? May help if you do.

I don't think there is any adjustment for this. If it is a mechanical problem, it is probably in the servo.

Hello, you might want to do a search of the fourm under 1989 camry. look under the title 1989 Camry L4 Wagon w/ Slight Transmission annoyance . many other 2nd generation camry owners have the same problem with their cars. It's probrally just a small glitch that some older cars have with the transmission. I did a transmission and differential fluid change in my 1989 camry >170,000 miles < and added Lucas transmission additive I feel it made a difference. I didn't have any problems with my tranny; but the fluid change was long overdue!!Maybe an additive for the tranny might help. couldn't hurt. Good luck. JOET/CAMRY

[vicchang]

I used to have a 88 Camry wagon, it did the same thing. My boyfriend fixed that for me. I remember he said that transmission is very sensitive to the oil level, especially if the level is over the range. I know it sounds very primitive, but you can check your trans fluid level and make sure it's within the range.

He said it has nothing to do with trans flush.

[G.I.JER]

I too have an 88 and have had the same prob for a while. I did the trans flush and it's all topped off with new fluid which didn't help anything. I have searched this forum alot and tried alot of the things that I read, I have yet to check the thermostat though. As for now I just disconnected the throttle pos sensor and shift it by hand. Good luck. Once I figure it out I'll let you know, but there are other probs that need attention right now, A/C, charging system, etc...

[ProMan]

Originally Posted by vicchang

I used to have a 88 Camry wagon, it did the same thing. My boyfriend fixed that for me. I remember he said that transmission is very sensitive to the oil level, especially if the level is over the range. I know it sounds very primitive, but you can check your trans fluid level and make sure it's within the range.

He said it has nothing to do with trans flush.

I can't believe it! I just can't believe it!!!

I measured the ATF in my tranny, reluctantly, thinking I am wasting time. Yes, it was a little above the upper limit, about .25" higher. So, I adjusted the level to about at the upper limit. The shift improved! It's not that harsh. Hmm, so I took out more fluid to make it at the middle. The shift is even better. Now the fluid is a little bit below the middle and I can hardly feel the shift!!!

Holy Houston!! How could this be possible? I can't believe the tranny is "that" sensitive to the fluid level.

Vicchang, thanks for your tip. I agree with your BF that there should have nothing to do with tranny flush. I am not against the flush, but I found people always say that you need the flush probably becuase they don't know what's really going on and I really don't believe tranny flush will fix anything. Especially the shop or dealership, they probably know exactly what the problem is already, but always want you to pay for a flush first and if it doesn't work, recommend to replace the tranny. Hey, you pay for it, who cares. The more you pay, the more they earn. If you don't have mechanical knowledge, you really don't have much choice but to let them rob you.

I had experience with tranny problems. I went to 3 dealers/shops, they all say my tranny is gone/the tranny oil burnt badly/it's time to replace the tranny(sounds just like it's time to change the engine oil)/the clutch is melted/need new tranny/it's dangerous to drive the car since the tranny will deadlock and crash the car, etc. The quotes from them are from $1500 to $4000. But common sense told me it's unlikely that the tranny is bad since the car still run perfectly at high speed. The 4th shop did a little test and told me it's my computer (ECM) and they can't fix that and assured me my tranny is absolutely fine. Bingo! I got a ECM from a junk yard for $50 and the car runs great since. It's been 50k miles. All those lies they told me sounds so real and so horrible. They just want your money! That's why I am always suspecious about what mechanics say, especially the ones at dealerships.

Thanks again, vicchang. This forum is great!!!

[G.I.JER]

Originally Posted by ProMan

I can't believe it! I just can't believe it!!!


Holy Houston!! How could this be possible? I can't believe the tranny is "that" sensitive to the fluid level.

!!

That's hilarious, rotflmao !!!

I have been thinking of doing the comp swap too. Good to hear that it was only 50 bucks. Thanks for the update.