Radiator Replacement and Transmission Problems - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

loriskier · 03-06-2008, 11:32 AM

My 1991 Camry 4 cyl Auto 3S-Fe had a bad radiator and we were in the process of replacing it. While the radiator was completely disconnected but in the car, it was stolen. We found the car a few blocks away where I'm guessing it overheated and the thieves dumped it. It was towed back home and we finished replacing the radiator. When we started it up and tried to drive it, it would not move. We could put it in Drive and Reverse and rev the engine but it would not move. We added transmission fluid and were able to get it to drive while in gear. It goes fine in reverse but you really have to step on the gas in drive to get it to barely move. After reaching about 10 mph it accelerates a little better. Checked the transmission fluid level and it looks like we over filled it. I plan on draining the transmission fluid this weekend in hopes that it will help. Any other suggestions?

atobe · 03-06-2008, 12:06 PM

how long did it take you to replace the rad??

how does it get stolen while you're working on it... anyways.........how much ATF did you put in? if the rad wasn't there i'm pretty sure all of the ATF is pumped out of the TC... it needs about 7qt to be full again..

loriskier · 03-06-2008, 12:10 PM

Well, it was my son's car. He started the radiator job and then just kind of gave up and I inherited the car. It probably sat in front of my house for 6 months before it was stolen. We have several other cars so fixing this wasn't a priority.

We put about 4 quarts in, checked the dipstick and it looked overfilled at that point.

Doctor J · 03-06-2008, 01:12 PM

The transmission is probably burned up. Watch for the materials in the pan. If no bright metal shaving is present,you may ended up just burning the direct clutch and possibly forward clutch, so the tranny could be repaired by changing the clutch plates (just standard overhaul, soft part replacement).

loriskier · 03-13-2008, 06:58 PM

There were no shavings in the pan and the transmission filter looked clean. Problem is still happening. It seems to not want to shift smoothly from 1st to 2nd. The car also shudders between 15 - 25 MPH. After reaching about 25 it seems to run fine. I tried starting in D, 2, and L and also with the O/D off and there wasn't much difference.

Doctor J · 03-14-2008, 12:33 PM

Is transmission making any noise? Assuming fluid level is correct,
it sounds like 2nd gear (B2) brake is not holding

loriskier · 03-14-2008, 01:15 PM

I don't believe that the transmission is making noise, although when it engages there is a clunk noise.

Doctor J · 03-14-2008, 01:33 PM

Clunk noise is not caused by low fluid level.
You may try to add 1/2 pint of Trans-X additive, it will make transmission shift better, but if the plates are burnt, the tranny may still fail, depends of how bad is the damage.

loriskier · 03-15-2008, 03:29 PM

I have been reading that the 91 Camry was very touchy about tranny fluid level. It seemed to be a little high so I decided to drain the tranny fluid again and added the amount specified. I added about 2 1/2 quarts (2.6 is recommended) and the cool level looked fine. I decided to drive the car to warm the tranny up. It continued to have the same problem then made some clunking noises. I then checked the tranny fluid again and it seemed to be the correct level. When I tried to drive it again the forward gears worked perfectly, no shudder at all. However, now reverse doesn't work! It doesn't sound like it is shifting and the shifter light sometimes doesn't come on when in reverse. Also, when in neutral if I give it guess it drives like its in drive.

When I am driving it the engine sounds great and the car runs very smooth, shifting at the appropriate speeds. Just doesn't want to go in reverse!

Doctor J · 03-16-2008, 11:19 AM

Unless the gear selector cable clip fell from its bracket near the transmission, sounds like major overhaul.