Auto Tranny problem with 88 Camry

[UCLAlumni]

Hi folks.

My 88 4-cylinder auto transmission Camry has the following problem: when accelerating into 3rd gear (~30 mph) and 5th gear (~55 mph), the engine revvs really high as if it looking for the next gear. Finally, the car kicks into gear with a hard noticable shift (as it is lurching).

I took the car into a Toyota dealership and an independent tranny specialty shop (ATRA-certified and AAA approved) where they performed an external evaluation and road test. They both said the tranny needed to be exchanged or rebuilt. The costs quoted were $2800 and $1200.

Even with the $1200 estimate, I am seriously debating whether I should just give up on the car. It runs perfectly otherwise (newer timing belt, water pump, radiator, struts, tires, brakes, A/C is ice cold), but I don't want to surprised with another big repair again soon. I was wondering if you guys have any ideas as to what other issues could cause this problem? Throttle body or cables, tranny filter, sensors?

Any thoughts on add'l diagnostics or potential causes would be appreciated. Should I retire the car and get another Camry? Thanks.

[Brian R.]

Just for laughs, you might try replacing the engine thermostat. Alot of people with shifting problems have them solved by replacing it.

[mrb1962]

Im in process of troubleshooting tranny in my '91 camry, have found some info u might consider (if you have the same type that is)

first:

A540E / A541E / A247E / A244E / A140E / A240E / A141E / A241E A245E / A241E / A246E
The transmissions above are front wheel drive 4 speed automatic transmissions. They are computer and throttle pressure controlled. Common symptoms are transmission shifting erratic, slipping or not shifting at all. Also the check engine light can come on.

External sensors like the throttle position sensor, vehicle speed sensor or output speed sensor quite often go bad, causing these symptoms. Check the throttle pressure cable that goes from your transmission to your carburetor or throttle body depending on the configuration of your engine. Always run a scanner to see if a sensor is causing your problem. Check the shift solenoids that attach to the valve body, sometimes they can go bad.

Many of the transmissions above have separate fill for the trans fluid and the differential, so be care full! I see a lot of differentials burn up from lack of lube. Then the transmissions need to be rebuilt. On most Toyotas, they have a diagnostic box you can retrieve codes with. The location of this box should be in your owners manual.

second:

this has info on how the tranny is controlled on alot of the toyotas

http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h16.pdf


T stat is even in there somewhere as a possible culprit.

Good luck, tis fun isnt it? heh

[Toyrolla]

Ok...

First off, let's understand the following...

The torque converter is the unit that acts as the clutch when the gears shift in an automatic tranny. You have 3 primary gears, plus the 4th overdrive gear.

Now, the torque converter is what shifts the gears, which in turn sends the signals to the speed sensors, which in turn send the info to the transmission computer, which in turn sends the signals to the ECU.

In other words, you can tell autoshop101.com that Toyrolla from the Toyota/Camry based forums personally says to kiss my ass.....

Dumbasses....
They don't know jack-bone about Camrys.....those %@$#%@$%!!!

Apparently, you are losing proper fluid passage/lubrication within either the torque converter or the tranny itself. I would guess the torque converter first is crapping out before the tranny, because the factory torque converter is not shifting at the default stall speeds set, which as a result, is not shifting the gears properly within the tranny.

Unless you replace the torque converter or the tranny itself, the slushbox problem will not be resolved.

Save yourself the trouble and convert it to manual.

For the same amount (or less) of money to fix your problem, you can shift 5 gears at will......

I'm telling you this because I changed the auto tranny in my '88 I4, which in my opinion, is the worst judgement call I ever made...

For the same ballpark cost, you can get a clutch reservior, a clutch pedal, and hardware to run 5-speed....now you're moving!

Good luck in resolving your problem....

[mrb1962]

Im curious as to what "Toyota Motor Sales" publications are exaclty, the link to the autoshop101 site has this printed at the bottom of each page.
Sounds like that info is coming from Toyota in some way, shape or form.............................................. ............

[UCLAlumni]

Thanks a lot for your prompt replies.

The mechanics that I dealt with at both places appeared very knowledgable (and "honest") in giving me their diagnosis.

I'll check the thermostat real quick since it is something that I can do myself. If that isn't the cause (and since I'd rather not have recurring car payments and theeverything else has been operating fine), I'll bite the bullet and shell out the money now to get the tranny fixed.

Keep up the good work with helping out your fellow Toyota enthusiasts. Your input is very much appreciated.

[riverat440]

Originally Posted by Toyrolla

Ok...

First off, let's understand the following...

The torque converter is the unit that acts as the clutch when the gears shift in an automatic tranny. You have 3 primary gears, plus the 4th overdrive gear.

Now, the torque converter is what shifts the gears, which in turn sends the signals to the speed sensors, which in turn send the info to the transmission computer, which in turn sends the signals to the ECU.

In other words, you can tell autoshop101.com that Toyrolla from the Toyota/Camry based forums personally says to kiss my ass.....

Dumbasses....
They don't know jack-bone about Camrys.....those %@$#%@$%!!!

Apparently, you are losing proper fluid passage/lubrication within either the torque converter or the tranny itself. I would guess the torque converter first is crapping out before the tranny, because the factory torque converter is not shifting at the default stall speeds set, which as a result, is not shifting the gears properly within the tranny.

Unless you replace the torque converter or the tranny itself, the slushbox problem will not be resolved.

Save yourself the trouble and convert it to manual.

For the same amount (or less) of money to fix your problem, you can shift 5 gears at will......

I'm telling you this because I changed the auto tranny in my '88 I4, which in my opinion, is the worst judgement call I ever made...

For the same ballpark cost, you can get a clutch reservior, a clutch pedal, and hardware to run 5-speed....now you're moving!

Good luck in resolving your problem....

I guess that would be kinda neat if an automatic transmission operated the way you describe, sure would make things a lot easier!

[hatchteg]

Originally Posted by UCLAlumni

Hi folks.

My 88 4-cylinder auto transmission Camry has the following problem: when accelerating into 3rd gear (~30 mph) and 5th gear (~55 mph), the engine revvs really high as if it looking for the next gear. Finally, the car kicks into gear with a hard noticable shift (as it is lurching).

I took the car into a Toyota dealership and an independent tranny specialty shop (ATRA-certified and AAA approved) where they performed an external evaluation and road test. They both said the tranny needed to be exchanged or rebuilt. The costs quoted were $2800 and $1200.

Even with the $1200 estimate, I am seriously debating whether I should just give up on the car. It runs perfectly otherwise (newer timing belt, water pump, radiator, struts, tires, brakes, A/C is ice cold), but I don't want to surprised with another big repair again soon. I was wondering if you guys have any ideas as to what other issues could cause this problem? Throttle body or cables, tranny filter, sensors?

Any thoughts on add'l diagnostics or potential causes would be appreciated. Should I retire the car and get another Camry? Thanks.

allumni at ucla? most college grads make a lot of money. why dont you just buy a new camry and sell me your problem car.

[hatchteg]

Originally Posted by UCLAlumni

Hi folks.

My 88 4-cylinder auto transmission Camry has the following problem: when accelerating into 3rd gear (~30 mph) and 5th gear (~55 mph), the engine revvs really high as if it looking for the next gear. Finally, the car kicks into gear with a hard noticable shift (as it is lurching).

I took the car into a Toyota dealership and an independent tranny specialty shop (ATRA-certified and AAA approved) where they performed an external evaluation and road test. They both said the tranny needed to be exchanged or rebuilt. The costs quoted were $2800 and $1200.

Even with the $1200 estimate, I am seriously debating whether I should just give up on the car. It runs perfectly otherwise (newer timing belt, water pump, radiator, struts, tires, brakes, A/C is ice cold), but I don't want to surprised with another big repair again soon. I was wondering if you guys have any ideas as to what other issues could cause this problem? Throttle body or cables, tranny filter, sensors?

Any thoughts on add'l diagnostics or potential causes would be appreciated. Should I retire the car and get another Camry? Thanks.

oh im actually looking for an 88 carmy 4 cyl as repair parts for my high mileage 88 camry. as of today my camrys odometer reading is 326,564 miles and still running fine.

[georgiepodgy]

Originally Posted by mrb1962

Im in process of troubleshooting tranny in my '91 camry, have found some info u might consider (if you have the same type that is)

first:

A540E / A541E / A247E / A244E / A140E / A240E / A141E / A241E A245E / A241E / A246E
The transmissions above are front wheel drive 4 speed automatic transmissions. They are computer and throttle pressure controlled. Common symptoms are transmission shifting erratic, slipping or not shifting at all. Also the check engine light can come on.

External sensors like the throttle position sensor, vehicle speed sensor or output speed sensor quite often go bad, causing these symptoms. Check the throttle pressure cable that goes from your transmission to your carburetor or throttle body depending on the configuration of your engine. Always run a scanner to see if a sensor is causing your problem. Check the shift solenoids that attach to the valve body, sometimes they can go bad.

Many of the transmissions above have separate fill for the trans fluid and the differential, so be care full! I see a lot of differentials burn up from lack of lube. Then the transmissions need to be rebuilt. On most Toyotas, they have a diagnostic box you can retrieve codes with. The location of this box should be in your owners manual.

second:

this has info on how the tranny is controlled on alot of the toyotas

http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h16.pdf


T stat is even in there somewhere as a possible culprit.

Good luck, tis fun isnt it? heh

my 91 toy camry auto goes into low when I put it in neutral. It stays in low when I put it in reverse. It won't go ahead or backwards, just puts labor on eng. It goes alright in drive. Doesn't seem to stay in low then. Could it be internal linkage?