'89 sv21 auto problem: confirmation of what to replace

[Matthew_potato]

Hi everyone,

I have a 1989 toyota camry sv21 wagon auto, done about 320,000kms on its second engine, and has so far proven to be very reliable, and apart from leaking in the car when raining I would say i'm very happy with this as a first car. Toyota knows what they're doing when they make cars.

But just today the transmission stopped working, details are as follows:

When starting in neutral: all is well, but when changing through any of the gears (R, D, 1, 2) there is a griding sound but the gears will not engage. And when shifted to park, a very bad grinding sound happens.
When starting in park (P): there is no grinding sound until shifting through the gears, then if put back into park, a very bad grinding sound happens again.

Also, when put into gear, my speedometer will show that I am doing whatever I would be doing if the car was actually moving.

This happened suddenly not gradually.

My initial guess was that the gearbox was at fault, but I think it may be the transaxle or differential as a speed is still displayed (I'm not sure at which stage the sensor is located).

Apologies for rambling, just wanted to provide enough information.

My question is what part will need to be replaced and at what approximate cost please?

I intend to invest in a haynes repair manual and do the work myself if the engine doesn't have to be removed.

Cheers

[Matthew_potato]

Just read on another post about the differential test, will try that tomorrow and update with the outcome

[Doctor J]

important :when you put the car into gear does SPEEDOMETER show the speed (even when car is not moving?
one of the axles can be damaged.

[white90dx]

Its either one of the axles or the differential. Get under the car and check the axles first and go from there.

-Charlie

[Matthew_potato]

Dr. J,

Yes the speedometer shows speed when in gear but car is not moving, also the speed for gear [2] and drive is higher then for low gear[L].

Didn't have time to check today due to working all day, but should have time on sunday, as well as to do the differentiial test. Will update then.

Thanks for your help thus far, very much appreciated

[Doctor J]

If it is in fact an axle I would like to see a pictures of the place where it failed.with front end up on the stands, try to pull the axle with your hand out of the differential housing

[Matthew_potato]

hey everyone,

got home from work today and raised the car on bricks to do the differential test and take a look
did that and there didn't appear to be a problem at all.
then just to check i tried taking it for a drive and it was working fine :S

i couldn't figure out the problem, so i ended up taking to my uncle who is a mechanic (I wanted to fix this for myself because as part of my independence but no dice), the amazing machine drove me all the way from the western suburbs to near the city [taylors lakes to preston], breaking down with the same problem again about 5mins away from our destination

my uncle reckons that the problem is that there is something wrong with the oil pump that isn't generating enough pressure to engage the transmission properly

will be taking it apart to get a better look in the shop in the next day or so, will keep you posted
thanks for your support and suggestions

cheers

[Doctor J]

The oil pump and torque converter are probably ok if your speedometer was indicating the speed with car not moving; it is most likely one of the axles is popping out (lifting the car put it back into the mesh)

[Matthew_potato]

unfortunately i've been very busy at work and respawn LAN over the past couple of days, but my uncle decided to fix the car without me as the workshop was busy and he needed the space
he didn't go into specifics but the gearbox needed to be replaced. when i go and pick it up i'll get a more indepth description

cheers and thanks