1996 Camry, Auto Transmission Problems

[tehrick88]

I have a 1996 Toyota Camry with an automatic transmission. Lately, when I let off of the gas while driving, the car has been shuddering. Its very noticeable. When I first start up the car, it goes out of first gear for a second before going back into gear. It seems to do this more when I am starting off from a hill as well.

I checked the fluid and it was fine.

Any ideas of to what it could be? I'm feeling like it just may be dying.

Thanks for the help!

[peshwa]

Have you checked any codes that the ECU is throwing? Autozone does it for free. Could be your axles/tires going bad? how many miles on the car and the tires? It always helps if you provide as much information as possible about your car and the problem.

[deadrx7conv]

Bad motor or transmission drive train mount? half shaft/cv joint?

You can check the level with the dipstick but you can't look at the ATF and say its good or not.

How many miles? history of ATF maintenance? ATF filter?

[gonesurfing]

Water in ATF can cause shuddering... Even a little bit changes friction properties of the fluid. Has it been driven through high water more than a few inches deep?

Our '94's A/T would slip when cold. The level was at the "cold" mark on the dipstick, however it was very much low when checked at operating temp.

If it were me, I would check the level hot (after 10+ miles). If level is OK, I would drain and refill to see if it improves. Make sure you use proper ATF. If I remember correctly, it is Dexron III. Don't throw in the towel yet.