Transmission problem? Help!

[mk2-1jz]

This started a few days ago, but has only happened twice, I've stopped using the car temporarily until I figure out what is causing this.


1988 Toyota Camry 170 000 miles
2.0 3sfe
Automatic 3 speed with overdrive.


A few days ago I was driving, and while accelerating the car lurked oddly, it gave me the impression the transmission shifted hard, lifted the motor and slammed it back down because of a broken engine mount, I thought. The mounts look ok. That wasnt so bad, it was an odd feeling but didnt break anything....so


Then yesterday I was driving at about 45 mph on a gentle curb getting onto the straight on the service road and I hear a little bit of metal clamouring in the engine compartment, I say to myself, thats not a good sound, no more than 10 seconds later and all of a sudden the car makes a HUGE bang from the front end and scares the SHIT out of me, the second it startled me I shoved it into neutral. But everything seemed fine...

Now the noise was NOT like hitting a pothole in any way. The whole front of the car lurched, it almost felt like the underside of the middle of the engine smashed into a huge piece of concrete.

I was cruising at 45, no gas just cruising. I would assume the car was in OD by now. I drove it home, all seemed fine.

I checked the engine mounts they SEEM fine, but I have yet to jack it up and look properly, but by putting the car in gear and watching the engine, its not moving excessively to indicate a broken mount.

BUT when I put the car in park on a slight incline the car moves about 1.5 feet before it catches park, this just started happening with the introduction of this bang.

What could the problem be?

I'm thinking a bolt came loose in the diff part of the transaxle and is jamming in the gears.... thats what it feels like anyway...

[mk2-1jz]

ok a more simplier question.

What is the difference between an a140L and an a140E

I need to know if the spare transmission I have is going to work. The one on my car is an A140E with BOLTED axles. My car has the ECT

The spare I have I only know is from a 1991 camry LE and it has CLIP IN axles. Im almost sure this car had the ECT as well.

will they swap over? I checked the number of bolts that hold the pan and in both cases in 15. I cant see all the bolts that hold it to the engine and their placements.

anyone have any information or can point me to a place where I can find it? thanks

[Doctor J]

A140e is controlled by external computer and A140l is controlled by governor (oldfashion design) the clutches planetaries differentials and torque converetes are interchangeable; the cases and valve bodies are different.
o0u need to verify that the shift cable is adjusted properly near the transmission; the next possibility can be broken spring on the parking pawl. Broken differential should cause noise all the time.
Check
for the fluid in the differential
metal shavings in the tranny pan.
drive axles for broken splines

[mk2-1jz]

thanks Doctor J I will check those things in the morning.

If I can ask another question, how do you fill the differential portion of the trans-axle? I would assume from the speed sensor bung? I know there are 2 separate portions to the a140 transmission that need to be filled.

Secondly, do you know if you can convert clip in axles to the bolt on style? If it turns out I do need to replace my transmission I only have the bolt on style axles that are currently on the car, the other transmission which is from a 1991 uses the clip in type. Is there something to do here or I just need to invest in a new pair of drive axles?

thank you for your response.

[Doctor J]

I personally never did this conversion however one forum member did that for driver's side axle for 91 5-speed camry. I 've seen one more conversion on the junk-yard as well

On the back of the tranny the rear differential cover should have 17 mm hex plug for filling; or the filling can be done after removal the speedometer driven gear (cannot say which one is easier
The speed sensor is not used for filling.
The A140l tranny may work in place of a140e, however the overdive solenoid needs special wiring.

[mk2-1jz]

Thanks again Doctor J.

I've been searching through my camry PDF in the transaxle section and no where does it mention how much oil the a140E's differential takes and what type. They only mention the quantities of ATF Dextron II that goes into the transmission.

dry fill: 5.3 L

drain and refill: 2.5 L

How much and what type of fluid has to be put in the diff?

[Doctor J]

Approximately 1.7Qt; ATF Dexron III; according to 88 service manual

[mk2-1jz]

thank you Doctor J. I'll post up my progress.

well I found out what made the bang. This picture should sum it up well. This came out of the diff on the a140E on my car.

going to be starting to take down the transmission this evening. FUN

[mk2-1jz]

and as we can see, the differential exploded.

























replacement

[Doctor J]

I am speechless
Could you take the rear cover and show what is inside?
I cannot believe how this happened without preceiding howl noise???
The similar happened to my friend's Tercel after shop drained but not refilled the differential

[mk2-1jz]

To be honest Doctor J, I am still speachless. I will get those pictures the next chance I get. I'm probably going to start putting the replacement tranny on this evening.

The car NEVER made a noise, always drove well never gave any indication of failure. AND even after blowing 2 holes in the casing IT DROVE HOME with 0 indication of failure other than the bang. On the drive home, no noise nothing. When I got home I was scratching my head the only indicator I had was the car not holding park, it moved about 2 feet before locking in park. I then checked under the car to see if something ripped off lol

I didnt even notice any damage until I pulled the diff plug, then I knew.

I must say I am impressed, although suffering from cataclysmic failure it drove me home!

From the looks of it one of the pins holding the spider gears jimmied itself loose and rocketed through the casing. On all my time on toyota boards I've never seen this type of failure on STOCK un-modified cars.

[jasonck08]

Wow... that sucks, and thats some serious transmission damage. I was reading that most 90% of transmission damage is due to the fluids heating up to unsafe temps. I wonder if somhow a lot of heat caused a crack in the diff, and then the fluid leaked out causing a lot more damage. Doesn't seem like it would just blow out all at once... Hope the new trans you have fits...

[mk2-1jz]

The diff even though having a huge hole in it had quite a bit of fluid in it. I cant see it being a lack of fluid IMO.

A lot of people are doubting a 91 tranny fitting? why?

They are both a140E, and now having them side by side they look identical and have ALL the same wired connections with no exceptions.

I'll update as I go along. I installed a new rear main crankshaft seal tonight and repaired the engine mounts (read filled with urethane) because they were getting loose.

[Doctor J]

2 years ago I came across the 88 Camry with TC noise and it tuned out that the splines on the stator shaft of the pump were all gone. The indication of that was the noise and lack of power on uphill acceleration.

Most older American-made cars with similar problem will never run due to the shaft breakage; this car made 6000 mi before problem was correctly diagnosed and fixed. (By front pump and TC replacement).
I like the way you removed the front sway bar with control arms attached; the dumb guy from the shop that changed my flexplate busted the sway bar bushings by improper disassembly.

[Doctor J]

On the new and old tranny check size, location and length of 2 tranny to block alignment pins.
Best of luck with your project!!!!