Help diagnose a problem

[95WhiteCamry]

Ok, friend has a probelm with his 4th gen camry.

year: 2000
engine: 5s-fe
tranny: auto

problem: when accelerating from stop, it feels like a manual tranny with a bad clutch. basically, it feels like you're letting the clutch out but not really and have a bad tendency to gas making the car lurch and shake and overall, it feels as if the gear is not fully engaging until about 2500 rpm. no problems in other gears. for instance, coming to a stop but not a ful stop and accelerating, no problem is there. also, letting go off the brake from a full stop for a few seconds before accelerating and then pressing the gas, no problem.

the problem is only there in normal driving only from standstill in first gear only. help please, thanks.

[Novice_cardude]

Check the transmission fluid. If the level is okay, i'd have to say the torque converter is suspect.

However my experience with automatic transmissions is nil. All i know is basic theory, so you'll want to wait for more experienced folks to reply.

[toyomoho]

See if there are any trouble codes stored. Sounds like something to do with the Foward Clutch system and a shop needs to look at it.

[95WhiteCamry]

^^ there is no check engine light.

[Venom_5]

is anything running hot? any signs of overheating?

and what color is the trans. fluid? [and @ what level?]

[Unco]

have you checked the transmission fluid level? if it's low, top it up and check for leaks. other than that, sounds like your auto transmission is shot. maybe it's just a faulty solenoid, but a slipping transmission is not a good thing and it's probably easier to replace it altogether.

[95WhiteCamry]

tranny fluid was a sorta slightly brownish unleasant color. he got the car used and wee\ figure the previous owner didn't do anything to take care of the tranny. the fluid level, however, is fine. anyone got a ballpark price for labor + transmission if he does decide to just swap it all out altogether?