Automatic 4 Cyl 2.2L ..transmission problems?

[ice745]

Let me start by admitting I know as much about transmissions as my dog knows how to meow.

I have a 1994 2.2L 4 Cyl. Automatic Camry. I've had it for about 2 years now, and never had a tranny problem. Today I was driving, and when I slowed down in traffic, to just about a stop, the car was shaking like crazy, and it really sounded like the gear was slipping, and hitting teeth over and over. I quickly put it into neutral, and it stopped. Waited a bit, and put it back, and it was the same thing, and the RPMs dropped almost as down to the bottom, I'm shocked it didn't stall. I put it back in neutral, and wound up having to hit the gas first, then put it in Drive (I know its not a good idea, but it got it to go), it accelerated fine, save a few kick backs in RPM; at around 2.5k RPM it'd drop about 200 RPM, then go back up. Then again it'd be horrible at idle at a stop unless I put it in Neutral. Now the weird thing, it seemed really bad for the trip (I drove it cuz it was a short trip) got to my Doctor, and after about an hour long appointment, I got back in the car, and it drove flawlessly all the way home. I checked the trans fluid right away, I put it through each gear like the book says too, then turned off the engine and checked the fluid. It still is pink in color, but I noticed it was kind of high. There is the "cold" marks, "hot" marks, then the words "Dexron II" then about a half centimeter and then my fluid level. Its about 2x the distance as hot from the bottom of the stick. I don't know if that is dangerously high or anything. Another note, the fluid wasn't hot to the touch, it actually felt warm, like the kind of water you'd wash your hands with, I'd be greatly exagerating if I called it "hot".

If anyone has any opinions on what I should do, or expect to have done, please

[uibalnme]

Transmission fluid must be checked when the transmission is hot and the engine running. The fluid level will read high if the engine isn't running when you check it. The fluid needs to be circulating to get the proper reading. Try to drive it at least ten miles then pull over and check the fluid level while the engine is running.

[Brian R.]

On a level surface and after you've cycled it through all the gears.

[ice745]

Ok, I tested the level, it is actually right, now that I checked it with the engine running. I really think the problem may be with the clutch. I don't know how much it'll cost, can anyone give an estimate.

If you were in the car with me, you'd think I have no idea how to drive a manual...except its an automatic. It misses gears during shifts and the whole car shakes, and when I slow down to stop, its like trying to stay in gear in a manual and coming to a stop, it'll come so close to stalling, and I have to throw the lever to Neutral to keep it running before I come to a complete stop.

[Brian R.]

Just bring it to a transmission shop and get their opinion. It sounds really screwed up. Maybe someone has a more informed opinion than that, but it seems like you are not getting pressure from the pumps or something.

[ice745]

I took it to Aamco, they said the fluid is old, and thin; which I could see leading to a pressure problem. But they say the reason the car is shaking and making the gear slipping sound is because I have a bad front engine mount and a bad transmission mount. I'm hoping that'll fix it, I don't want to have to have it rebuilt. By the way, do you know if it's true that automatic transmissions don't last too long after a rebuild. I've heard that before, but I don't know how true it is.

[Toysrme]

Ice that's a wives tail. Like with anything, if it is fixed when you rebuild it, it's fixed.
At first it sounded like the lock-up solenoid was dead and the torque convertor stayed locked up.
Then you talk like it's an engine problem.
Then you start talking like it's slipping.
I'm also not conviced about your fluid level.

I can't nail down what you actual problem is. It's very confusing to me. (Then again I am an admitted moron.)




*** Clean the IAC valve, check for vacuum leaks.
*** Make sure the TV cable is connected.
*** Flush the transmission fluid & test the solenoids.
Download the provided '94 Camry FSM that is stickied on this forum to go over that.


Do you have a blinking O/D light, or a check engine light?


If the transmission is slipping, it's normally dead before you fix it. It takes only a few miles to completely eat up a clutch for a gear if you drive with it slipping. Anyways... Go buy $10 worth of Super-Tech Dexron III in the big blue jugs at wall-mart & flush it BEFORE you drive it anywhere.

[ice745]

No, there is no blinking O/D light or check engine light. I was going to check for codes anyway by shorting those two terminals, but AAMCO was going to use the code-reader before they did anything, so I just left it for them.

Lol, sorry about the description kind of jumping around, it's hard to describe, espeically when I don't know exactly what I'm talking about either. The problems with the engine and RPMs and stuff seem to be a direct result of the gear slipping or w/e is happening. Every time I'll hear the clanking sound the RPMs drop. It's kind of like a banging sound...I think the best way to describe it, it sounds like an auto garage door opener when it tries to open the door more than it really can..that pulsating banging sound. But as soon as I put it in Neutral it'll stop. I'm sure its not the engine tho, because putting it in Neutral will fix it...except I can't go anywhere, lol. I should probably check for vacuum leaks or have a mechanic check cuz I don't really know what I'm doing. I've had several different problems with the car that AF posters always suggest a Vacuum Leak check, so maybe they're all related. AAMCO is flushing and changing the fluid, they said that the transmission itself is fine :-\ I'm gonna get it back sometime tomorow or over the weekend hopefully, and I'll be able to see if they fix it. If not I'll try to check for vacuum leaks and the TV cable. I'll either have to get that done or look up how to do it. Are vacuum leaks something I can fix myself? Like is it just replacing a hose, or will it be a part that I'll have to put in?

Thank you everyone for the help.

[quickywd01]

Just FYI when my brothers escort had a problem with the trans. it had the same symptoms. The trans. needed to be rebuilt. I don't remember if the 1st gear was broken or if the clutch packs were done but it had to be rebuilt.

[ice745]

OK the problem seems to be solved. I got my car back today, and it seems to work wonderfully. The AAMCO guy said that the two engine mounts that were bad are supposed to work as insulators to block vibration from the engine to going through the car. He said they are kind of like suspension, because they have a little give and try to keep the engine stable and centered (as suspension does to a wheel). He said my two mounts were so bad that they'd fully extend and compress with very little resistence. I guess the reason this made it seem like transmission problems is because it was during times of increased torque (just switching gears and accelerating) and it'd normally cause a little extra vibration, but in my case was fully extending the mounts and making a banging noise.

[Brian R.]

That's a good fix. Glad you found someone who troubleshoots.

[FRANKENCAMRY]

Ice, Which mounts were replaced to fix your problem? Was it the front lower mount and the dogbone? Or was one of them actually a transmission mount?

[ice745]

It was the front lower mount and the transmission mount, on the opposite side of the car than the dog-bone mount.