Automatic transmission works fine, then slips until car is turned off and restarted - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

tlover · 06-05-2011, 01:20 AM

I have a 3rd Generation Camry (1993) with an automatic transmission that starts out working perfectly when cold. After driving 1-2 miles the transmission start slipping like it's in neutral. I have tried down shifting manually into lower gears, up shifting and stopping and trying reverse and all gears act just like neutral. Here is the crazy part... I turn off the ignition and start the car and the transmission works fine for a while, then the problem repeats itself over and over. On some occasions when I turn off the engine, the transmission still slips after restarting it, but if I wait about a full minute and start it again the transmission works fine in any and all gears. It has a new filter with fresh fluid to the proper level. The only thing that I tired doing was removing the battery cable for a few minutes to reset the ECU, but that didn't change a thing. Any insight into what what might be going on or what I could check or change would be greatly appreciated.

***fenixus*** · 06-05-2011, 06:31 PM

Last time I experienced this problem (on old '90 Ford Probe) it was bad transmission, there was a crack in valve body I think... flushing it like a dozen times helped to render it drivable, but it never had the 1st and 4th gear anymore, only 2 & 3 & R were only ones working. funny part was that at some point I was pouring red fluid from top and kept the pan unbolted and allowing the fluid to come out straight into bucket and it was already black after passing through

... so when was the fluid changed for the last time before recently?

tlover · 06-05-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenixus

Last time I experienced this problem (on old '90 Ford Probe) it was bad transmission, there was a crack in valve body I think... flushing it like a dozen times helped to render it drivable, but it never had the 1st and 4th gear anymore, only 2 & 3 & R were only ones working. funny part was that at some point I was pouring red fluid from top and kept the pan unbolted and allowing the fluid to come out straight into bucket and it was already black after passing through

... so when was the fluid changed for the last time before recently?

The fluid is very clean and was changed within the last 100 miles and the fluid level is proper. I am not sure what the fluid was like before it was changed because that is the way I got the car. What you said makes sense because stopping the engine drops the transmission fluid pressure which could be restricted due to blockage in the valve body or pressure lost due to a crack in the valve body. I am hoping to avoid changing the transmission because the car only has 112k miles, but a 19 year old person most likely abused the car before I inherited this problem. I appreciate your insight on this somewhat strange problem.

***fenixus*** · 06-05-2011, 08:51 PM

tell you what. since problem sounds serious, book a check up appointment with any nearby ATRA shop briefly telling them what the problem is.

http://www.atra.com/

those guys specialize in auto transmission rebuilds only and do this every day on all makes and models. they will not charge you until they start removing parts, so all you need to do is to bring car to them and let the technician drive it with you in passenger seat. let him test drive it and feel it once it stops working. I'm sure he will be able to tell you exactly (from experience) what goes wrong with it.

that's what I did last time when I was suspecting trans problem (fortunately it wasn't it).

tlover · 06-05-2011, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenixus

tell you what. since problem sounds serious, book a check up appointment with any nearby ATRA shop briefly telling them what the problem is.

http://www.atra.com/

those guys specialize in auto transmission rebuilds only and do this every day on all makes and models. they will not charge you until they start removing parts, so all you need to do is to bring car to them and let the technician drive it with you in passenger seat. let him test drive it and feel it once it stops working. I'm sure he will be able to tell you exactly (from experience) what goes wrong with it.

that's what I did last time when I was suspecting trans problem (fortunately it wasn't it).

Thank you for your suggestion and for the link. When I got to the ATRA site there was a form for technical assistance. Because it is a weekend night, I filled out the form and I am going to see if they have any insight into the problem. If not, then I will go to the closest ATRA shop which is less than 3 miles from where I live. I should be able to make it to the shop with only a few restarts LOL. I will post any info as soon as I hear from ATRA Technical Support.

***fenixus*** · 06-05-2011, 10:47 PM

good luck

tlover · 06-06-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenixus

good luck

While I was waiting for a reply from ATRA, I called a local ATRA shop and explained my problem. They said for me to bring it in. I asked if they would charge for looking at it? They said $75.00, but it would come off the bill if I had it repaired there. Well, later in the day I received a response from the ATRA Technical support which stated... "Thank you for contacting ATRA, did this problem start happening after the filter was replaeced? If so the filter may not be seated properly or it has failed and clogged the filter inlet. The symtom you have described sounds just like the filter. I would highly recommend seeing one of the shops below before any damage occurs.". What they said sounds reasonable to me especially since I bought the car this way. So I think I am bringing this car to a trustworthy shop and have them put a new filter on and replace the fluid just to be at a safe starting point. Updates to follow...Any other thoughts are always welcome.

***fenixus*** · 06-06-2011, 10:25 PM

hey, I just realized that on top of flushing that old Ford Probe transmission I replaced the filter as well

that's when it started working normally - and was exactly same as yours, loosing gears when hot, all was becoming Neutral - on top of that it had that crack effectively disabling 1st and 4th gears, but that's unrelated to the issue I think.

so ... replace that filter with OEM one and you should be fine!

***JohnGD*** · 06-06-2011, 10:36 PM

What type of ATF did you use? Dexron III type I hope.

Was there any sign that the pan was dropped before? It everything looked original and this only started happening after your filter change then I'd go back in and check it again.

Make sure the strainer gasket is on the strainer, and the bolts were torqued down to spec. (Autozone free loaner torque wrench or buy one from Harbor Freight). Make sure the magents are not blocking the strainer pickup port.

Just use the cheapest Walmart dino Dexron III type fluid this time and see how things work out. Make sure you drain/refill the differential too. Open the fill plug first before you loosen the drain plug for obvious reasons. I don't think I ever heard a dry differential caused transmission flares, but you never know.

You might want to use another ATF kit (new strainer plus gasket). A cheaper alternative to OEM would be a $20 Wix kit from your local NAPA or a Fram strainer kit (not sure if they still include the gasket or sell it as a separate item).

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlover

While I was waiting for a reply from ATRA, I called a local ATRA shop and explained my problem. They said for me to bring it in. I asked if they would charge for looking at it? They said $75.00, but it would come off the bill if I had it repaired there. Well, later in the day I received a response from the ATRA Technical support which stated... "Thank you for contacting ATRA, did this problem start happening after the filter was replaeced? If so the filter may not be seated properly or it has failed and clogged the filter inlet. The symtom you have described sounds just like the filter. I would highly recommend seeing one of the shops below before any damage occurs.". What they said sounds reasonable to me especially since I bought the car this way. So I think I am bringing this car to a trustworthy shop and have them put a new filter on and replace the fluid just to be at a safe starting point. Updates to follow...Any other thoughts are always welcome.

tlover · 06-07-2011, 02:49 PM

Thank you so much for your recommendations. I have a friend that is a great mechanic and and is out of work, so I am giving him my "dirty work" LOL. I will forward your recommendations to him and I will have him look for any things that you have brought to my attention. I will note progress or lack of progress in the near future.

tlover · 06-07-2011, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenixus

hey, I just realized that on top of flushing that old Ford Probe transmission I replaced the filter as well

that's when it started working normally - and was exactly same as yours, loosing gears when hot, all was becoming Neutral - on top of that it had that crack effectively disabling 1st and 4th gears, but that's unrelated to the issue I think.

so ... replace that filter with OEM one and you should be fine!

I will do that along with checking on what the previous owner may or may not have messed up. Thanks and I will followup with updates.