Could someone help troubleshoot? kinda urgent - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

felpz123 · 10-03-2009, 01:07 AM

211k(miles) 94 camry le 4cyl

ive been driving around the highway for a couple hours, then all of the sudden i felt like i hit something big on the road(but now that i look back on it i guess it was the transmission or something bucking). that was it, for about 20 minutes until it did it again, and then the engine light + oil light came on, i then stopped on the side of the road as fast as i could.

i then tried to start the motor and it sounded funny so i turned it off.. my dad later arrived and we started it, then funny noise of the engine stopped a couple seconds after it was running, we then put it in gear(automatic), and throttled it, but it acted like it was in neutral, in all gears.(1, 2, d and reverse).

checked the transmission fluid and oil and they both looked fine.. no visible damage that i could tell on the engine.

trying to get this figured out tonight so i can decide on whether to tow it to the shop or my house, depending on the price.

thanks for any help

(have had problems with starting up in the past, dying a couple seconds after starting it up, could be unrelated but i thought id add it)

JCamry94 · 10-03-2009, 01:15 AM

Unfortunately sounds like the auto is slipping. Might have seen its last day..

felpz123 · 10-03-2009, 01:28 AM

ugh.. why did it go so quick?

JCamry94 · 10-03-2009, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by felpz123

ugh.. why did it go so quick?

how many miles are on it?

felpz123 · 10-03-2009, 02:16 AM

211,000miles

and by quick i mean like without much warning

felpz123 · 10-03-2009, 12:57 PM

if anyone who has replaced their transmission/rebuilt it could tell me what i can expect to pay at a shop?

felpz123 · 10-04-2009, 03:29 PM

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/cto/1402771355.html

what do you guys think of that camry? it would be a helluva lot cheaper than a new tranny

ghettosled · 10-05-2009, 07:53 AM

drop the transmission pan to see if there are any parts in there. you can try to change the fluid to see if that does anything (though a long shot).

to rebuilt an FWD transmission on my previous car (1993 grand am) set me back about $1300 just for reference.

Camry LE 94 · 10-05-2009, 08:35 AM

Not too sure about what the problem is but I paid $1600 for an overdrive replacement.

felpz123 · 10-06-2009, 01:39 PM

thanks for the help guys

just got back from the mechanic and he said the differential was screwed.. transmission would also have to be replaced, he quoted $900.

going to go look at this one tomorrow http://littlerock.craigslist.org/cto/1402771355.html, whatdya think? would it be easier replacing the airbag or the entire steering wheel?

hooRAH · 10-07-2009, 09:57 AM

I think your best bet would be to swap out the transmission and differential with a used one from a JY and call it a day. The job isn't terribly complicated and you don't have so many unknowns.

ekopel · 10-07-2009, 10:11 AM

felpz! hold on!!!! I had the same symptoms about two years ago (about 20,000 miles). Try changing to a heavier weight ATF fluid. Or use an additive. I would definitely suggest taking a look for parts or metal in your ATF fluid. If that is the case, this may not work. If it is not the case then give this a try. Its worked for 2 years for me, maybe it will work for you! Worth a shot at least

felpz123 · 10-07-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekopel

felpz! hold on!!!! I had the same symptoms about two years ago (about 20,000 miles). Try changing to a heavier weight ATF fluid. Or use an additive. I would definitely suggest taking a look for parts or metal in your ATF fluid. If that is the case, this may not work. If it is not the case then give this a try. Its worked for 2 years for me, maybe it will work for you! Worth a shot at least

i dont know if you read my previous post but i took it to a mechanic and he said it was the differential.. he then proceeded to show me the tires in drive would barely turn at all, so i think this is mechanical and not fluid related. but i'll call him up tomorrow and see what he says. thanks for the input.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooRAH

I think your best bet would be to swap out the transmission and differential with a used one from a JY and call it a day. The job isn't terribly complicated and you don't have so many unknowns.

i have 0 experience with mechanics, but my dad does, what kind of equipment is necessary for a swap? also could i get the website for JY so i can check out how much it costs.

***JohnGD*** · 10-07-2009, 08:03 PM

The $900 tranny is probably a salvage. Might want to ask how many miles and what kind of warranty. For an older car that's probably the quickest way back to the road.

I'd drop the pan on the newer one and change out the strainer as well. An ATF kit is about $15 (Fram) and Walmart 1gal Dexron II/III-compatible ATF is about <$10. Change the differential too, same ATF so get 2 gals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by felpz123

i dont know if you read my previous post but i took it to a mechanic and he said it was the differential.. he then proceeded to show me the tires in drive would barely turn at all, so i think this is mechanical and not fluid related. but i'll call him up tomorrow and see what he says. thanks for the input.

i have 0 experience with mechanics, but my dad does, what kind of equipment is necessary for a swap? also could i get the website for JY so i can check out how much it costs.

***JohnGD*** · 10-07-2009, 08:08 PM

Not sure about the differential call.

If the car isn't moving and the problem is only within the differential (spider, pinions, etc) why would things sound funny?? Differential isn't moving at all right?

I would wonder about the torque converter and ATF pump. Maybe whatever clutches engaged at the time (such as OD).

But in any case it's a "new" (rebuilt or salvaged) tranny.