Tranny seems to lose gear!

[jon1000]

2000 V6 4 Speed automatic LE. The transmission seems to lose itself when slowing down and then has a little rough re-engagement when you go to give it gas again. It acts like it needs to search for a gear. I am probably not explaining this very well, but I don't know how else to describe it.

The fluid is clear/pink. It is up to where it should be. Perhaps 1/8 inch above full when hot. Is this the way Camry Automatics are, or should I start looking for a cause. The car is new to me. 81,000 miles and very well maintained.

Tks

[chronoti]

not right check your kick down cable (from tb to trans)

[fenixus]

have you ever drained and refilled the ATF fluid ? it should be at least drained and refilled every 30k miles (normal conditions) or 15k miles (harsh condition, e.g. city driving only).

the differential needs to be drained and refilled every 60k miles (normal conditions) or every 30k miles (harsh driving).

how is your ATF fluid looking like on dipstick after driving (check on warmed up car after some driving), check for proper color (or discoloration), any dirt/metal particles, check proper level (should be at HIGH HOT which is highest notch) and smell it (if it smells burned change it asap).

with only 81k miles it may be still not too late for a machine complete flush on tranny (do the drain & refill on differential too at same time). i did it at 64k miles and was having similar symptoms to yours (plus was seeing some dark grey dirt on dipstick). though i drained & refilled the differential quite recently at 74k miles.

[jon1000]

Originally Posted by chronoti

not right check your kick down cable (from tb to trans)

Kick down cable it was. Somehow, the rubber shield or grommet got pushed down over the cable so that it was not able to return all the way to the .040 clearance it should. The adjustment was fiine, just that rubber thing in the way. I just had to push it back in place and all is right. Thanks again! I could not afford a shop right now.