Can't diagnose shifting problem, no OD light

[bigeo]

I just purchased an 87 Camry Wagon with 138k. Its a very clean car and mechanically seems quite sound but it has a shifting problem (automatic). It won't shift down to 1st at idle unless you put the gear selector in that position. If you shift "manually" to 1st, it works fine and seems to shift properly otherwise. From what I have read in this forum and have heard elsewhere, this is likely due to a faulty control solenoid in the trans. but I have not been able to confirm this by pulling a diagnostic code because the OD light doesn't work. I have pulled out the display module with that light and tried switching bulbs that worked in other positions to the OD spot and they don't light up. I have verified that the OD switch is working. There may be one other spot in the display that doesn't work even with a bulb that lit up in another location, so maybe its a bad connection, but I was wondering if there is anything else that might prevent the OD light from coming on (problem with the TCM?). If I can't get the light to work, should I just replace the solenoid and which of the two is likely to be out based on the problem I'm having?

[Kingdom934]

Originally Posted by bigeo

I just purchased an 87 Camry Wagon with 138k. Its a very clean car and mechanically seems quite sound but it has a shifting problem (automatic). It won't shift down to 1st at idle unless you put the gear selector in that position. If you shift "manually" to 1st, it works fine and seems to shift properly otherwise. From what I have read in this forum and have heard elsewhere, this is likely due to a faulty control solenoid in the trans. but I have not been able to confirm this by pulling a diagnostic code because the OD light doesn't work. I have pulled out the display module with that light and tried switching bulbs that worked in other positions to the OD spot and they don't light up. I have verified that the OD switch is working. There may be one other spot in the display that doesn't work even with a bulb that lit up in another location, so maybe its a bad connection, but I was wondering if there is anything else that might prevent the OD light from coming on (problem with the TCM?). If I can't get the light to work, should I just replace the solenoid and which of the two is likely to be out based on the problem I'm having?

Tried checking the fuses? I remember when my Camry had a non-fuctional shifting, my 'NORM'/'PWR' never worked even with new bulbs. Found out my fuses for the ECM (or was it TCM) in the kick side was blown...and kept blowing until i disconnect/reconnected and put a new fuse in. Worked after. O.o;

Does it down shift to 1st when your in gear selection '2'?

[bigeo]

I did check the fuses, although I don't remember seeing one that was identified for the TCM. They all looked good. The Norm/Pwr indidcators do light up on the display. I will try putting the selector in 2nd rather than 1st and see what happens. Thanks for the reply.

[Doctor J]

"It won't shift down to 1st at idle unless you put the gear selector in that position".
little confused about that one
Does that mean that when you shift from P to D the car is not moving but when you move slector to L the car begins to go?

[bigeo]

Sorry, that wasn't very clear. The symptom is that accelerating from stopped with the gear selector in D or 2nd it feels like you are starting in second gear, i.e. sluggish with engine lugging. If you accelerate from stopped with the selector in L it feels as it should. I am guessing that the transmission is not shifting down into 1st unless the gear selector is in that position. I fixed the non-functioning "O/D off" light (bad solder connection on the circuit board) and get a "62" code. So, bad #1 solenoid?

[Yineinjeru]

i get the same problem with my car the O/D lights doesnt turn on and i dont feel the O/D coming on.... but i just got the car its a 1986 toyota camry sedan and it needs a pipe fixed so i cant drive it yey.. do u think i will notice when it does into O/D when i drive or should i notice it when im in one spot?? and how do i feel when the nrm/pwr is working does it have to be driving as well???

[bigeo]

I have two toyota vans of the same vintage as my camry and when they shift (both are automatics) it is a lot more noticeable than in the camry. I'm guessing that the electronic control system makes the shifting smoother, but I don't know for sure. Also, the camry doesn't have a tach which makes it obvious when you shift. As for your non-functioning O/D light, try swapping the bulb with one from the module that works. The problem with mine turned out to be a bad solder joint where the pin connector attaches to the circuit board. Just had to reheat the connection. I haven't driven the camry that much yet and haven't played the "pattern select" switch, so I can't say how that effects shifting. It seems like the engine should rev higher before the shift in the "pwr" mode.

[Yineinjeru]

Originally Posted by bigeo

I have two toyota vans of the same vintage as my camry and when they shift (both are automatics) it is a lot more noticeable than in the camry. I'm guessing that the electronic control system makes the shifting smoother, but I don't know for sure. Also, the camry doesn't have a tach which makes it obvious when you shift. As for your non-functioning O/D light, try swapping the bulb with one from the module that works. The problem with mine turned out to be a bad solder joint where the pin connector attaches to the circuit board. Just had to reheat the connection. I haven't driven the camry that much yet and haven't played the "pattern select" switch, so I can't say how that effects shifting. It seems like the engine should rev higher before the shift in the "pwr" mode.

ohh ok. thanx lol. =] =]