Problems shifting between 4th and 5th/overdrive!!! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

jtrink · 01-07-2009, 07:52 PM

okay, i guess a little background info on the car... 1995 camry 4 cylinder automatic with 135,000 miles. My car is having problems shifting from 4th gear into 5th gear. For example, if I start my car and drive immediatley the car will not shift into 5th, however if I've been driving it a while it eventually will (and will have no trouble after that while driving).

My coolant level was low so I filled that up, still no results.
I unscrewed the radiator cap to check if fluid was reaching there, it was.

The only other thing I can think of is the thermostat. On my car is reads below the C line while driving. However, if I have been stationary for a little after driving it increase to maybe the 1/4 line (max). Sorry for the long post but any advice would be rather helpful.

Andrew Liu · 01-07-2009, 07:55 PM

95 4 cylinders do not have a 5 spd. automatic. They only have 4.

The computer disables overdrive until the engine coolant reaches a set temperature (I think 100*F) , to aid in warm-up and limit excess wear.

xtremeskier97 · 01-07-2009, 07:56 PM

Your problem is, is that the I4 automatic is only 3 gears with OD. The OD makes it 4 gears. So it WONT shift into 5th gear, because there isnt one.

I have no idea why you're looking at coolant for a tranny related issue. You need to check the tranny fluid level when the engine is at normal operating temperature with the engine off.

Andrew Liu · 01-07-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xtremeskier97

Your problem is, is that the I4 automatic is only 3 gears with OD. The OD makes it 4 gears. So it WONT shift into 5th gear, because there isnt one.

I have no idea why you're looking at coolant for a tranny related issue. You need to check the tranny fluid level when the engine is at normal operating temperature with the engine off.

There's nothing wrong with his transmission other than a nonexistant 5th gear.

The coolant actually is related to the shifting, based on temp.

Like I said before, the computer won't engage 4th gear (overdrive) until the engine is sufficiently warmed up.

jtrink · 01-07-2009, 08:12 PM

lol im an idiot. okay, well then it doesn't shift into overdrive. so what would my problem be then, my car isn't heating up fast enough, yet my car's heater works? Was I right and it likely is a thermostat problem?

thank you for the speedy responses

darkwish · 01-07-2009, 08:15 PM

The car not shifting into overdrive until it's warm is normal.

Andrew Liu · 01-07-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtrink

lol im an idiot. okay, well then it doesn't shift into overdrive. so what would my problem be then, my car isn't heating up fast enough, yet my car's heater works? Was I right and it likely is a thermostat problem?

thank you for the speedy responses

Car shifts fine when it's warm right?

Then there's no problem.

jtrink · 01-07-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darkwish

The car not shifting into overdrive until it's warm is normal.

yes i know. it is taking an excessively long time to warm up though. this never happened in the past.

jtrink · 01-07-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Liu

Car shifts fine when it's warm right?

Then there's no problem.

yes, but it never took this long to get warm before, and this never happened last winter. my only thought is the thermostat is slightly stuck open, causing my car to heat up longer. As my temp gage indicates.

darkwish · 01-07-2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtrink

yes i know. it is taking an excessively long time to warm up though. this never happened in the past.

Sorry missed that part, does sound like your thermostat is stuck open.

jtrink · 01-07-2009, 08:36 PM

i only know the basics for changing the thermostat...

1. drain the anti-freeze out of the radiator
2. find the upper radiator hose and follow it to the thermostat casing.
3. remove the hose from the thermostat casing
4. remove the casing
5. remove the thermostat and replace.
6. then re-connect everything

are there any other guides available?

Andrew Liu · 01-07-2009, 09:01 PM

Gen 3 I4 Radiator Change/ Thermostat Change

Searched up Thermostat Replacement. Should help.

jtrink · 01-07-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Liu

Gen 3 I4 Radiator Change/ Thermostat Change

Searched up Thermostat Replacement. Should help.

much appreciated!

jtrink · 01-07-2009, 10:01 PM

i dunno if i feel comfortable doing this to my car, i dont want to **** it up. im gonna sleep on it, lol.

Venom_5 · 01-08-2009, 12:30 AM

i wouldnt think that your tstat is stuck open ... its probably operating normally, and youre just getting impatient and worrying a bit, as most people tend to do when cars dont act as hoped

watch the temp needle, see how long it takes (give # of minutes or miles in the morning) and report back ... i know here it takes me a couple miles to get the car warmed up if i dont let it sit and warm up in the garage/driveway first but its also much warmer in TN than PA!