96 Camry transmission question

[veeweeman]

I have a 1996 Camry AT 4cyl which is revving up and not moving when in gear. Initially you would think that the transmission is shot, but if I turn off the engine, then restart, I am able to go for a short distance before it "slips" again. Fluid is dark and was low, but the symptoms have me thinking.... The car has a lot of miles on an already suspect drivetrain, but I am wondering if it could be vacuum, selenoid, or electronic related? Any guidance on this before I put myself at the mercy of a transmission repair shop would be greatly appreciated.

1996 Camry
1999 Solara
2006 Corolla
Formerly 1997 Camry and 1993 Camry.
(I like my Toyotas)

[AliRazoR]

Originally Posted by veeweeman

I have a 1996 Camry AT 4cyl which is revving up and not moving when in gear. Initially you would think that the transmission is shot, but if I turn off the engine, then restart, I am able to go for a short distance before it "slips" again. Fluid is dark and was low, but the symptoms have me thinking.... The car has a lot of miles on an already suspect drivetrain, but I am wondering if it could be vacuum, selenoid, or electronic related? Any guidance on this before I put myself at the mercy of a transmission repair shop would be greatly appreciated.

1996 Camry
1999 Solara
2006 Corolla
Formerly 1997 Camry and 1993 Camry.
(I like my Toyotas)

First of all CHANGE ATF,

DIY: 5S-FE Transmission Fluid & Strainer Replacement Procedure
http://www.pbase.com/kocho/camry
DIY : Differental Fluid Change

[TOYOPARTSMAN]

Did you fill it with the correct amount of fluid? If that fixes it, then since the fluid is so dark, I'd look into a Transmission flush. Not a drain and fill, but a trans flush that a shop does with a machine. It sucks out all the bad fluid and puts in new fluid. That will probably run you about $199.00 or so. But it still is cheaper than a trans. I am pretty sure that there isn't anything vacumn related that fits your description, and if it were a solenoid, they would be shift solenoids and they are in the transmission and it would be best to replace it.

My advice to you is, have someone look at it for you and then go from there.

[zythr]

For a defective solenoid, doesn't the coimputer use the remaining working ones to shift the tranny?

[veeweeman]

Thanks for the advice. I changed the trans gasket, filter, and whatever fluid I could get out. I didn't find anything out of the ordinary, just really poor looking fluid. I tested the shift solenoids and they were fine. The car ran great for about 2 weeks, and now it's doing it again. Now I'm going to get a trans flush and see how long it lasts this time. Any ideas? Is there anything I should ask the shop to check, as in adjustments, etc..

[grandpapa]

not sure how many miles you have but the same thing happened to my 97. In my case, the tranny was toasted. Good luck on yours.