1991 4 Cyl Auto Tranny Dying/Dead

[HammerCurler]

Hey Guys,

I'm a college student who drives a '91 4cyl Auto Camry. A few weeks ago I noticed the first signs of a "slipping" tranmission - like an idiot I did nothing about it, some days I would let my car warm up and I could usually drive it without any slippage. After 15 minutes of driving I wouldn't have any problems (the odd slip here and there starting at lights) It has gotten worse though, now when i'm in D my car will hardly move (sometimes it catches for a quick moment but then just revs high again).

My car revs but will no longer really moves (moves better in R than D though). My tranny fluid is burnt (i knew this when I got the car but never did a flush because I thought it might ruin the tranny then). How do I check my fluid level? The other dipstick under the hood?

So i'm thinking my tranny is probably ruined and I will need to do a swap. I have a friend that has done swaps (has a lift and tools) on his 2nd gen Camry and he will hopefully be helping me out.

My question(s) is: 1. How much can I expect to pay for a decent transmission from a junk yard? 2. Will the transmission I need be easy to find? 3. Should I go to manual or stick with Auto?

I've searched through the forum but couldn't find much info on my specific model, sorry if this has been discussed multiple times.

PS My car has 170,000kms - i don't think the tranny fluid has ever been changed (it's really dark brown)

[Camry726]

Get the fluid changed and see if that helps...if it doesn't well i really hope you have money because a transmission even if it's used is not cheap.

Some will say it is cheap but, as a fellow college student money is something I don't have a lot of.

[amerikim]

edit: I believe you have an A140 tran.

Not the good news here.
Rebuilt trans are about US$800..cost you just as much to get old tran out nad replacement installed (non-dealer). Looking at $1600...You can try and do it yourself but I don't really recommend it unless you have a pretty well equipped garage and someone to call. Sorry, but thats where the bear squats.

[atobe]

a used tranny is about like 150$ at the junk yard... and if you swap to manual/auto than whatever it is that you have now it's gonna be more $, work and time...... if your friend's knowelge just get one from the junk yard and replace whatever it needs yourself.

there's 2 kind of trannys the gen2 came with the I4
A140L is mechanical controlled...it doesn't have the pwr/etc switch in the car
A140E is the electronic .... has the pwr/etc switch in the car
so get the one that your car has

[HammerCurler]

I do have the PWR/NORMAL switch in my Camry.

And if you guys read I said I DO HAVE A FRIEND that can help me install it. You are all telling me a transmission is over $1000. I was asking the price from a JUNK YARD and whether or not it would be easy or not to find.

So i'm looking for an A140E tranmission?

[amerikim]

Prices are $450-650 for working trans, you pick up.

[88 LE]

Try car-part.com

I found a few in Canada for $350 (CAN).