1993 Camry, slow acceleration/transmission slip - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

gfk · 07-09-2011, 08:37 PM

Hello,

I'm a semi long time lurker here, but haven't been able to find a solution to my problem so I figured I'd finally post. I hope someone here can at least offer me some insight to my problem.

Details:

1993 Camry
2.2L
112k
2nd owner

From a dead stop my car just seems to have no power. Between 15-25 MPHs I notice it struggle the most. Once I get up to speed I have no problems maintaining it. I also noticed the other day that when putting the car into drive it just stuck. I originally thought I just hadn't "clicked" the shifter in all the way, but then it happened again. I also noticed that my transmission seemed to slip when driving. This has only happened no more than 5 times, and it always goes back immediately. My first thought was that perhaps the tranny was going, but at only 112k that just baffles me.

I should also note that my check engine light recently came on and the car overheated. After popping the hood I could see a pool of coolant underneath my radiator. I pulled it out and the bottom 1/4th of it was pretty much transparent. I replaced the radiator and thermostat and have not overheated or leaked since. I'm not sure if these two problems are correlated in anyway.

I know that spark plugs could cause the poor acceleration, but I'm not sure if that could also cause the "slipping" feeling I have gotten from my transmission. Any info that someone could pass along would be much appreciated. This is my daily driver so I'm hoping this is something relatively minor that I'll be able to do myself.

gfk · 07-09-2011, 10:33 PM

I just drove the car a short distance and transmission slipped into neutral again. This time it stayed there. I was at a stop sign on a slight hill, and when trying to accelerate away nothing happened. I was within 200 feet of my house at the time and was able to put it into 2 to get it moving and back into drive. I'm quite scared that it is the transmission going at this point due to the slips becoming more frequent.

Is there anything I can do to test the transmission to verify if it is going to die or not?

***JohnGD*** · 07-10-2011, 02:28 AM

what's the condition and level of the ATF? See if the MIL has transmission solenoid related codes.

gfk · 07-10-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnGD

what's the condition and level of the ATF? See if the MIL has transmission solenoid related codes.

The ATF was still a good color red and was at hot after testing. I'm not sure how to check MIL codes. I was hoping I would be able to diagnose and do any repairs myself, but it seems like I may have to just take it to my mechanic.

I drove it again today (to get engine up to temp to check ATF) and it seemed more sluggish than usual. It feels like it doesn't want to shift out of first gear.

hill8570 · 07-10-2011, 04:34 PM

What did you top off the transmission with when you changed the radiator (to make up for the fluid in the transmission cooler)?

gfk · 07-10-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hill8570

What did you top off the transmission with when you changed the radiator (to make up for the fluid in the transmission cooler)?

Nothing. I had a friend help me (I'd never done a radiator replacement before, he had) and pretty much just followed his lead. Not much came out, so it either slipped his mind or he doesn't know as much as I thought.

I'm starting to get worried that I may have made things worse by not having the job done properly.

brianjrealtor · 07-10-2011, 08:08 PM

I have 289k miles on my camry le and the trans still works great. I honestly cannot believe it myself it operates well with this many miles. I,m religious about changing the fluid every 30k

I think the trans is controlled by a computer like the Engine is. Maybe check a fuse to the trans computer? I went to a pick and pull yard and pulled the main ECM for $25! Replaced the main ECM that controls the engine and mine runs better. Maybe check into if the trans computer is working properly?

Do a google search online and see what you find about the trans computer for that model. That might help for free!

brianjrealtor · 07-10-2011, 08:13 PM

Another idea....

Is the transmission kicking into neutral byitself, or is it neutral while in drive mode? Maybe the shift linkage somehow...just thinking aloud here to how you coul troubleshoot before spending on a mechanic to look at it.

gfk · 07-10-2011, 08:51 PM

Thanks for the tips. The fluid is fine. I checked it for the 2nd time today and appears to be good. The transmission seems to be dropping into neutral when in drive. It seems to happen when accelerating from a dead stop. If I shift out of drive and back into it things seem to correct themselves. Even when that problem isn't occurring the acceleration is god awful. It has progressively gotten worse over the last few days. It just seems to not want to kick into second gear.

I'm calling the mechanic tomorrow morning because he's generally pretty booked. I figure I'll at least get an appointment for later in the week, and cancel if I can figure this out on my own. If not I'll pass on the solution when I find one.

I'm starting to think it isn't the transmission going after all, though I can't be sure. I originally thought that because some of the symptoms are pretty identical to a prior car I had where the transmission did die.

***JohnGD*** · 07-10-2011, 09:09 PM

If the problem happened after the radiator work then maybe check the shift cable, throttle linkage, and electrical connectors in the area.

If you need a transmission specialist search for a ATRA transmission rebuilders assoc member shop. Some are still duds, but in general they should have more experience than a typical corner garage:

http://www.atra.com/shopfinder

brianjrealtor · 07-10-2011, 09:11 PM

Sounds like a plan...the acceleration could a whole host of other things with as many miles and how old the car is like mine. Could be a simple vacuum leak, clean the egr, tps, ..you name it..

I've done slot of work myself to mine. You name it, I've done it! Vacuum hoses all replaced, cleaned egr valve and the iac valve, TB cleaned, went to the junk yard for pennies on the dollar for MAP sensor, iac valve, egr module, knock sensor, egr valve control sensor, coolant temperature sensor, air temp sensor, fan temp sensor....listq goes on...

I'm not a mechanic, but a guy who likes to fool with things myself. It's amazing what this forum can teach you about working on these cars yourslef, it's really not as intimidating as you think if you find the answers here...

But, the car runs fantastic at this point. 22 MPG with A/C on all the time in the summer heat. Idles good and almost super smooth. Accelerates great, you would not think it had this punch with as many miles on it. 290k and going strong...

Yeah! No car payment! Take that, Obama...

***JohnGD*** · 07-11-2011, 12:53 AM

BTW, to read diagnostics codes, turn the ignition on (engine off), jumper the TE1 and E1 pins on the diagnostics connector in the engine compartment. And then read off the flashes of the MIL light. For example, 2 quick flashes, pause and then 3 quick flashes mean code 23. Also see Autozone's free repair guide (with registration).