86 Camry Trans Problem

[JamesGod1979]

Ive got an 86 Camry with the 4 cyl motor. Last night, I backed up out of the yard just fine, headed to work and when I hit cruising speed it wouldnt shift into overdrive. Okay, no problem.. Ive still got 3rd. I stopped to get gas and found I had no reverse. I know the O/D might be the selenoid... could the reverse be related to a selenoid also?
Thanks
James

[Doctor J]

VERY IMPORTANT :WHAT TYPE OF TRANSMISSION?
A140E or A140L.

[Doctor J]

First let’s determine if the problem is mechanical or electrical.
On A140e transmission, the transmission control computer will not allow shift to the overdrive until the engine coolant is warmed up to 60 degrees C.
If the solenoid will stuck, you will only have the first and third gears, NO SECOND GEAR EITHER.
Is reverse works ok?
Is pushing the O/D off button to off position causes the O/D off indicator to come on?
There are two methods to check the mechanical operation of the overdrive:
With one method you will need to

• Unplug the 6-terminal wiring connector in front of the transmission (this will put tranny in manual mode)
• Start the engine and select move selector to 2 (this will put the tranny directly to Drive (3rd gear).
• Slowly accelerate the car to 25 mph.
• At 25 mph move selector to D (this will put tranny to overdrive)

If you noticed shift or the rpm dropped down, the 3-4-shift valve and gear set is ok
Note; the O/D indicator light will flash on the dashboard, its normal for the test.
After the test reconnect the connector in front of the transmission.
The second method requires the hooking up control light (such as light bulb #53, 12V, 0.1 A) to the white wire for solenoid #1 (color is below the connector) that goes to the transmission. Place the light in the front of the windshield so you can easy see it. Connect other terminal of the light bulb to the good ground.
Turn ignition on and start the engine (the light must be on, if not, recheck your connections)
While driving the car (engine warm), observe the light if it does not going out at 50 mph, then, the computer is not sending the shift to O/D signal. (The computer removes power from #1 solenoid, thus put both solenoids off and causes the tranny to shift to the O/D).
If the light is on, there are 3 possibilities for electrical malfunction:

• The wire from O/D off button to computer is bad
• The wire from engine computer to the transmission computer is bad (no temperature signal), so the transmission computer is still ‘thinking that the engine is cold
• Defective transmission computer.

As far as I know there is no separate coolant temperature switch for overdrive control for A140e transmission.

[JamesGod1979]

Okay. There is no reverse. All it does is whine when you put it into reverse.
As for when driving. It has first, second and third gears. Shifting smoothly through them all until it comes to O/D and then it wont hit O/D. Turning the button on and off does nothing. I will get back to you about the test light. I will test it tonight as I left the car at home.
Thanks
James

[Doctor J]

IF THERE IS NO REVERSE, the overdrive assembly needs to be changed.
Probably, the O/d brake is not holding or the one way clutch is broken.
It is possible to change the overdrive assembly with transmission on the car by removing the side cover.
However if there is a lot of debree in the transmission , total rebuilding is required