3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I have a very perplexing issue and would like to see if someone can point me in the right direction. Ok, I have a 1994 Camry LE model with around 345000 miles. About 10K ago the transmission seal let loose and all the fluid drained out. I had the car repaired by my mechanic who replaced the transmission with a like model. The vehicle ran flawlessly for about 10 miles, then it was like the transmission just stopped pulling. I could get the transmission to start pulling by pulling to the side, and shutting off the car for short while, restarting and the transmission would start pulling again, maybe for a mile, maybe for 10 feet. I have the car taken back to my mechanic who again pulls the transmission he purchased out, and getting another like transmission. Ok, to that is the second transmission. I get the car back, and it drives perfect, I drive it everywhere, I then decide I can start to drive it back to work. Well, I work 60 miles from where I live, and I want a dependable car, well I drive the car back and forth to work for around 3 or 4 months, then bang, the EXACT thing happens again. The transmission wants to stop pulling. I get to work, BARELY, and then I haul the thing back to my mechanic. Well since this is a 3rd vehicle, I am not in any rush, tell him to fix it right, and to take his time. So he has the car for about 3 months farting around with this or that. Now I have to be honest, I didnt get all the intricate details about what he did or didnt do, other than his replacing the transmission. Well, my son started to drive the car and was driving it for about 2 months, and again, it has done the SAME thing, now the transmission has been replaced 2 times, and each time I have been told that even though he was replacing the transmission, the one that was being replaced didnt look and seem bad in any way. So, for me, I am realyl tired of sinking good after bad money into this car, it is 16 years old with almost 350K and a banged up front fender. If I can get a definitive answer or at least something more than what my mechanic has found and maybe this is something that I can do as I can do almost all types of repairs on cars other than engine internal and transmissions.
My opinion is that a 345,000 mile "crash car" transmission is not really a crash car trasnsmission. Get a good, dynoed replacement, or learn to replace the clutch pack frictions in the one you have. it's not so bad!
Bottom Line: Don't use used friction material and expect good results. Trannys suck.
PS I really do appreciate a trasnsmission that runs for 345000 miles, love these cars...
Last edited by Champagne96Carmy5sfe; 12-27-2010 at 07:20 AM.
I would look into the electronics side of the transmission.
Sounds to me like something electrical is malfunctioning causing your car to shift poorly. Especially considering after two transmissions its still doing the same thing
did he happen to swap the Shift lock Solenoid from transmission to transmission? if its stuck it will shift really really weird. Also, look into the ECM . Maybe replacing it with a Known good ECM will solve your problem.
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The transmission shift points are set by the ECM and by shift solenoids inside the transmission. Uses a combination of Hydraulic pressure and electronic solenoids to open at certain RPM and MPH via the Computer.
I have a Computer out of a 1992 Camry LE if you are looking for a known good replacement. PM Me if your interested
How can I tell if the computer is throwing a code? The check engine light is not lit, and I guess it is OBD1 and not the newer OBD2 I know on my old S-10 All I had to do was short 2 pins under the dash on a connector and the check engine light would blink the codes.
How can I tell if the computer is throwing a code? The check engine light is not lit, and I guess it is OBD1 and not the newer OBD2 I know on my old S-10 All I had to do was short 2 pins under the dash on a connector and the check engine light would blink the codes.
Thanks,
INGunGuy
Same way.. there are actually two DLC connectors on the camry. One underneath the dashboard and one on the passenger side fender well. Jump TE1 and E1 to have the codes display
Same way.. there are actually two DLC connectors on the camry. One underneath the dashboard and one on the passenger side fender well. Jump TE1 and E1 to have the codes display
I am going to try that, my concern is that the check engine light is NOT on, so does that mean there will be no codes to read?
If your O/D light is operational and does not blink I doubt you'll have any codes stored. You can determine if the problem is electrical or mechanical by disconnecting the two transmission solenoid connections just behind the neutral safety switch and shifting manually from L to 2 to D. If the car does not respond then it's mechanical. I suspect either you have inadequate hydraulic pressure or your clutches are shot. Either way you're getting what you paid for using junk yard transmissions.
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1995 Camry Wagon LE. 2.2 4cyl, 5S-FE, Auto, 187K
I am going to try that, my concern is that the check engine light is NOT on, so does that mean there will be no codes to read?
Thanks,
INGunGuy
Some codes are stored, but will not indicate a MIL. I know this from reading the manual
I know for sure this is how the transmission codes go anyways. The engine MIL functions are stored until the problem is fixed. After its fixed the code is still stored in the ECU until you pull the fuse and reset the computer
How long were the replacement transmissions sitting? Auto transmissions don't hold up well sitting unused for long periods, especially old already tired ones. The lack of frequent fluid baths throughout the transmission on a regular basis allows the seals and shuttle O-rings to dry out and become susceptible to internal leakage and blow out. If the trannys have been sitting unused for a year or more, that would account for the multiple failures. The ECM is also a good place to look. These aging computers sometimes develop alzhiemers. Even though there may be no stored codes, the ECM can still be faulty. Did your mechanic check the tranny cooler and lines through the engine radiator for blockages or restrictions? Poor flow there would mean poor cooling for the tranny fluid which can lead to overheating the tranny and therefore cause failure. Oh yea, 345,000 miles..................NO SHAME! I love these old Camrys!
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1993 Toyota Camry V6 LE (200 HP, 195 ft/lbs tweaked) , 430,000 km's.
2002 Lexus GS 430 V8 VVT-i (300 HP, 325 ft/lbs) Luxury with Mark Levinson , 156,000 km's
2006 Lexus ES 330 V6 VVT-i (225 HP, 250 ft/lbs) Premium Luxury, Sport, Navigation with Mark Levinson , 140,000 km's
I had an A140E sitting for 5 years that I put into my XLE. The only problem I had was the shift lock solenoid was stuck on the A140E that was originally in the one on the 95 transmission I pulled out. Other than that, the only thing I did to the transmission was flushed the fluid, changed the pickup. No seals or anything were replaced and it works great.
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95 Camry
AUTO to MANUAL Swap Guide (3rd Gen) - 
, 430,000 km's.
, 156,000 km's
, 140,000 km's
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