'97 Camry won't engage on Drive - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ltr · 02-20-2011, 12:08 AM

Hi all, I searched the forum but couldn't find this exact problem (just some almost-matches), and I hope y'all can help me. I have a '97 camry xle v-6, with about 155k miles. I've always had scheduled services done (water pump, belts, et al.) done when it was time, and about 3 weeks ago I'd had the 150k service done.

Today, when I shifted into D, there was a long hesitation before the transmission engaged, but when I pressed the accelerator, the car shook in a way that felt like the tires were slipping (it was raining), then gained traction. Then the "check engine light" came on.

After reaching my destination and trying to head home, when I shifted to D, the transmission didn't engage, it just revved as if it were in neutral. It shifted into R, but I couldn't really tell it had shifted; I knew only because I could drive backward. But back in D, no go. After I let the engine cool for a bit, the tranny engaged after a longer-than-normal hesitation. I was afraid to try to drive home though, because I couldn't be sure I'd be able to move forward after a stop light/sign, so I got it towed home.

A day or so ago, I noticed that the car seemed to ride rough: I got a lot of feedback/vibration via the steering wheel upon acceleration from a stop, but it smoothed out at highway speeds.

At about 43k miles, the transmission was replaced under warranty because there was a hesitation when shifting from P to any gear and a flush didn't resolve it. I don't recall being told what the problem was, only that replacement was required.

Any ideas what the new problem might be?

Thanks,
LT

swagger_wagon468 · 02-20-2011, 12:48 AM

hmm... i couldnt tell ya man. im tuned in for a diagnosis though.

to TN! always nice to see new people joining.

Yuko · 02-20-2011, 11:30 AM

Sound very similar to my father's 95 Nissan Quest but it happened in Reverse gear. After a while, reverse gear just gone out. From what I remember, they say that worn clutch pack in the trasmission can cause intermittent slip. But low ATF can cause similar symptoms. Have you check the transmission fiuld?

***heartdisease*** · 02-20-2011, 11:34 AM

I would check that light out. 97 has obdII so you should be able to go to autozone and have them check the code. I am sure it would be transmission related but maybe you can get lucky and it is a sensor or something. I got a bad feeling that it is toast though.

pmesfun · 02-20-2011, 01:51 PM

^+1
Check the dipstick for fluid color and if there is a burnt smell.

ltr · 02-20-2011, 05:21 PM

There is no auto parts store near me, otherwise I would have gone to borrow their code reader. The transmission fluid was changed when the car was serviced last month. The level was fine and it looked fine, no burned smell.

If it turns out I need a new tranny, what's the best bet? Rebuild? Buy used? Buy refurbished? I don't have a job because of disability, but I'm not yet receiving disability income, so cost is a factor, but I don't want to have to face this again in a couple of years.

I want to clarify: the car has around 155k miles on it, but the transmission less than that, about 100-110k miles (if any of that matters).

Thanks all,
LT

Yuko · 02-20-2011, 07:57 PM

When you had the transmission serviced; was it just a simple exchange such as a pan drop/trans-line exchange or was it pressure/reverse flushed? Sometimes pressure flushing a transmission can cause damage to the transmission’s valve body and that why is not recommended by most manufacturers.

If you do need another transmission, never buy used. You never know the history and how long it has been sitting around. Rebuilding it is your best option but it can be expensive. $1000 to $2000 on most FWD, it varies between places and vehicles.

ltr · 02-20-2011, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yuko

When you had the transmission serviced; was it just a simple exchange such as a pan drop/trans-line exchange or was it pressure/reverse flushed? Sometimes pressure flushing a transmission can cause damage to the transmission’s valve body and that why is not recommended by most manufacturers.

If you do need another transmission, never buy used. You never know the history and how long it has been sitting around. Rebuilding it is your best option but it can be expensive. $1000 to $2000 on most FWD, it varies between places and vehicles.

Hi — It was a simple ATF exchange. Thanks for the price estimate.

ltr · 02-21-2011, 02:37 PM

Hi all — I had my car towed to the garage today and the mechanic started it up and for the first time I heard a high-pitched whine. He immediately said the front pump is gone, so the clutch was losing pressure, that's why it was jerky when accelerating from a stop.

Thanks to advice from this forum, I declined a used-tranny option, so he's researching prices for a new/rebuilt machine. *sigh* I guess the cost of a new tranny is less than the cost of a new car, but my empty purse hurts either way. But the car is 14 years old, so...

I've done research on this site before and found answers to my questions. I'm glad I was able to pick your brains. Thanks y'all.

LT

kasperjames · 03-31-2011, 09:27 PM

having similar issues, posting new post. let us know anything else you might have been told that you could have done when investigating this or similar issues. thanks.

ltr · 04-01-2011, 04:45 PM

hi, all the info in this thread was useful and helpful. it turns out that i had to replace my transmission.

kasperjames · 04-06-2011, 07:24 PM

man. i can get a front pump for 100 bucks. but if i loose my front pump will that throw out clutch or other gears? i heard it will just stop moving anything and stop moving things but not distroy them, and if i think its going out to not drive it.
while having low pressure, and inspecting other ideas, is their not a way to test front pump from an external avenue?