A140L transmission problems - Aus

[moody]

Hi

I'm attempting to get my girlfriends Gen 2 '92 Camry working.

It has an A140L transmission. Starting a few months ago the transmission has been progressively worse shifting to higher gears. It will rev to much in lower gears and when it eventually changes to the higher gears there is an audible thunk or thump.

Does this sound like anything specific to anyone? Something that can be done at home? or does it need professional attention? I've downloaded the workshop manuals but I hardly know where to start and the problem doesn't look like any in the diagnostic section.

The car is on 320000km and probably its original transmission?? But we've just spent a decent amount of money on fixing other things on it and there is a lot of sentimental value in it so we don't want to abandon it quite yet. Money is a little tight but if it needs proffesional care we will find it.

Thanks

[JetspeedCamry]

Welcome to TN!

Professional attention for automatics requires a deep pocket, and in most cases of internal repair, is simply not worth it. The labour involved to dismantle it is quite intensive.
The transaxle you have is a mechanical shift type, denoted by the L. It could mean that the shift pumps that control when the gears change and how they change is worn or damaged. Causing the symptoms you describe. Perhaps as a local auto specialist for there 'humble opinion' and see what there going to charge...in most cases of auto problems like that, its best to replace the entire transmission. Finding one at a wreckers for a couple of hundred dollors and if you have space at home, can be easily swapped over.

Goodluck!

[moody]

Hi and thanks for the welcome.

I was afraid that it would need some serious work. I am not the most experienced mechanic around (I get by - but mostly by finding out absolutely everything I can first).

My current course of action is to take it to an automatic specialist on Saturday, get a diagnosis and a quote possibly and figure out what to do from there.

I was afraid that it would mean a replacement gearbox and I've been pricing second hand ones for a couple of days. There is no way I could afford to pay someone to change it along with the cost of a new gearbox.

I have space at home, and time to change the box, however, my experience is limited. For someone who only has experience changing a couple of manual rear wheel drive van gearboxes (nissan vanettes), what is involved that would be different with an auto sideways mounted one that I should be aware of?

Thanks for your help!

[toyomoho]

If curious download the Gen_2, I4 Transmission Service section from the link below. There is a good diagnostic section on this trans.

http://oregonstate.edu/~tongt/camry

[Variety=Spice]

Probably a longshot, but have you checked to make sure the fluid level is to spec?

[moody]

Originally Posted by Variety=Spice

Probably a longshot, but have you checked to make sure the fluid level is to spec?

I haven't checked myself, the car was in for a general service a couple of weeks ago at my girlfriends insistance (and it is her car) and we asked them to specifically check the transmission. They said they couldn't really do anything with transmissions but that they would check levels - so I assume that's been done.

(personal opinion - I'm not going back there, they overcharged, tried to get us to do a lot of things that didn't need doing and were not helpful with the area that actually needed work).

[Ancientwolf13]

Just out of curiosity you may want to check your trans fluid for debris or being a dark almost black color. This will cause shifting problems from build up. Another problem could be your Overdrive Solenoid just being dirty and causing it to stick.

Those are actually 2 common problems that can be corrected with just simple cleaning which tend to happen alot. I ran into both problems on my 89LE when I first bought it.

Well anyway good luck

[moody]

Ok, checked the fluid. It looks like the service place didn't change it after all.

There is way to much in there and it is a dark green / black colour. Not sure what it is supposed to smell like but burnt is the first thing that comes to mind when I smell it. Also seemed pretty sludgy.

[Dave's]

I'm no expert but my '92 Camry auto uses shift solenoids. If true on yours these are really easy to get to and check if you have an air compressor. Happens real easily if your fluid is sludgy. But if you're sure yours is a mechanical shift? I would drop the pan, check if it uses the solenoids and clean/check them if so, and refill to proper level with new fluid. That way you don't just change fluid and then need to drain it again to drop the pan. ( when refilling, give it a few minutes for the fluid to drain down the tube or you may overfill.) BTW, not that it's important but aren't the '92's gen3?

[moody]

Originally Posted by Dave's

I'm no expert but my '92 Camry auto uses shift solenoids. If true on yours these are really easy to get to and check if you have an air compressor. Happens real easily if your fluid is sludgy. But if you're sure yours is a mechanical shift? I would drop the pan, check if it uses the solenoids and clean/check them if so, and refill to proper level with new fluid. That way you don't just change fluid and then need to drain it again to drop the pan. ( when refilling, give it a few minutes for the fluid to drain down the tube or you may overfill.) BTW, not that it's important but aren't the '92's gen3?

I am seeing everywhere info saying that Gen 2 only went to '91, yet I have a June '92 gen 2.... I presume the models lagged a bit in Australia. (I know that models vary in different countrys - I have a ford laser from 1990 yet South Africa was making the model before it until about '95).

[Ancientwolf13]

Moody your camry would actually be a GEN 3 model. In Australia the Camry wasn't produced until 1987 which was the Gen 2 for the U.S. and Japan. In 1992 the Gen 2 produced in your country is the Gen 3 in the U.S. and Japan and the Gen 1 in the UK.

Even still the advice given here in the Gen 2 will still work with your Gen 3 Camry (going by U.S. and Japan).

I hope this clears things up for you.

[JetspeedCamry]

^
The Camry in Australia came out in 1985 with the Gen 1....
There are limited runs of Gen 2's in the 1992 year bracket.
There were ALSO first run Gen 3's... A friend of mine has a late 1992 Gen 2..

[Dave's]

Sorry to start a controversy. I said "not that it's important". I'm just not sure which tranny the OP's dealing with. I had to clean one of my soleniods and haven't had a problem since but it's on a '92 U.S. gen 3. Pretty sure it's an A140 but don't know about the L. Anyway I remember one had a white wire and the other black. Removed one, pressed a blower nozzle in the end hole at <60 PSI and applied 12v (neg to case and pos to wire) When working correctly, the air will reroute thru the side holes and the unit will give a firm 'click'. I cycled power several times and cleaned unit in clean fluid before it started working fine. But is it the same tranny? I don't know. But I'd pull the pan to drain the fluid anyway and check for the solenoids. I also replaced the gasket and filter and cleaned the pan. Note where the magnets are, they need to be in the correct place.

[aussie_gen1]

Originally Posted by JetspeedCamry

^
The Camry in Australia came out in 1985 with the Gen 1....
There are limited runs of Gen 2's in the 1992 year bracket.
There were ALSO first run Gen 3's... A friend of mine has a late 1992 Gen 2..

well i've got an '84 hatchback...

[JetspeedCamry]

Originally Posted by aussie_gen1

well i've got an '84 hatchback...

Haha well there ya go!..Make that 84!