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've got a 98 Camry V-6 with 129,000 miles. I've done transmission fluid changes regularly every other year. Just recently I'm experiencing a slightly hard banging downshift (2nd to 1st) before coming to a stop.It happens 50% of the time. Has anyone experienced this or knows what the cause is? I have NO check engine light on
what ATF are you using? is the level proper when transmission is HOT? ever dropped the pan and changed the strainer?
The only fluid ever used has been Toyota Brand fluid for the Camry. I've alternated flushes and drains. This has been done every other year by my very reputable Toyota Dealership. I haven't presented the problem to them yet but before I do I thought someone might have experienced the same. Someone mentioned the shift solenoid. I'm looking into that now and discovered there are more than one.
... so was the pan ever dropped and strainer replaced? how many miles between drains/flushes?
Toyota Dexron-III ATF is a dino/conventional fluid with poor protection and calls for 15k miles drain intervals in severe conditions (e.g. city driving, short distance driving, towing or hilly area, etc.)...
finally, you didn't sat if the ATF level is correct when transmission is HOT. it could be overfilled and getting aerated?
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The only fluid ever used has been Toyota Brand fluid for the Camry. I've alternated flushes and drains. This has been done every other year by my very reputable Toyota Dealership. I haven't presented the problem to them yet but before I do I thought someone might have experienced the same. Someone mentioned the shift solenoid. I'm looking into that now and discovered there are more than one.
I've problems too. See transmission shop. (sometimes they can service without rebuilding/new transmission)
... so was the pan ever dropped and strainer replaced? how many miles between drains/flushes?
Toyota Dexron-III ATF is a dino/conventional fluid with poor protection and calls for 15k miles drain intervals in severe conditions (e.g. city driving, short distance driving, towing or hilly area, etc.)...
finally, you didn't sat if the ATF level is correct when transmission is HOT. it could be overfilled and getting aerated?
As stated before fluid was replaced every other year, alternating drain/refills with flushes. You might want to know that when a proper flush is performed the strainer is also cleaned in the process. Between fluid changes was about 20K. Toyota recommends either fluid drain or flush every 30K as per regular scheduled maintenance. Toyota Dexron III offers adequate protection when changed on a scheduled maintenance. Level is OK Yada Yada.
How's that late shifting doing. If your shifting late more than once during warmup you definitely have an issue. Unless your a tranny specialist, I would have it diagnosed. Maybe a solenoid or issues with the valve body. Not something you might find with your code reader.
Does it happen on inclines/declines or flat surfaces? Sometimes my transmission just isn't strong enough to get up steep hills without really pushing it up to 3-3500 RPMs then it downshifts sort of abrubtly after descent.
That's just how this particular generation was designed...a 4 speed transmission was not the best design but one of the cheapest, especially compared to 8 speed automatic transmissions today.
If none of the above applies, then you may want to take it to a local shop for a diagnosis, then to a Toyota dealer....this way you have 2 different opinions, then make your decision on what to do from there.
Are those mostly highway or city miles? How many owners did the vehicle have? Is it the original transmission?...
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2001 Toyota Camry 2.2L-I4, automatic transmission with 157,000 miles.
Lost Southern Star : It can happen on any grade but more noticeable when coming to a stop at a slower rate of speed. My next step is to bring it to the Toyota for diagnosis. Thought I'd find out from others if they had similar problems. 70 percent highway miles, 30 percent local. Original tranny. I'm second owner. Have driven it 120,000 miles.
A strainer is NOT cleaned by a 'proper flush' whatever that means. A strainer can be removed and replaced.
That is low mileage for a '98. If there is a lot of city driving, it could be just worn out.
I would test the solenoids and AVOID the dealer. They'll just tell you to replace the transmission.
Toyota DexronIII from a dealer??? If they did the flushes, ATF is whatever the low bid bulk oil delivery company filled the dealers barrels with.
Double check the motor/trans mounts. Lose or blown mounts will cause weird transmission shifts, clunks, and banging.
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Preventive maintenance prevents mechanical problems. Ripe out your owners manual's maintenance schedule and start some common sense intervals for ALL fluids in your vehicle.
A strainer is NOT cleaned by a 'proper flush' whatever that means. A strainer can be removed and replaced.
That is low mileage for a '98. If there is a lot of city driving, it could be just worn out.
I would test the solenoids and AVOID the dealer. They'll just tell you to replace the transmission.
Toyota DexronIII from a dealer??? If they did the flushes, ATF is whatever the low bid bulk oil delivery company filled the dealers barrels with.
Double check the motor/trans mounts. Lose or blown mounts will cause weird transmission shifts, clunks, and banging.
Many shops have told me a flush will take care of the strainer. Not a lot of city driving. The dealer I ever take the car to is not your local rip off shop. They do not operate like that at all.
I have heard that it is possible that the mounts could be the cause. Thanks for the advice. As far as the solenoid I was looking into it.I think there is more than one shift solenoid. I came up with this: http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...%26+Drivetrain
If you read my earlier messages I've mentioned that I never neglect routine maintenance.
A rip-off shop IS a shop that says a flush will take care of the strainer. It doesn't.
By 100k, its good to drop the pan, replace the ATF filter screen, clean the magnets, torque the VB.... 129k means the filter/screen and magnet cleaning are overdue.
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Preventive maintenance prevents mechanical problems. Ripe out your owners manual's maintenance schedule and start some common sense intervals for ALL fluids in your vehicle.
A rip-off shop IS a shop that says a flush will take care of the strainer. It doesn't.
By 100k, its good to drop the pan, replace the ATF filter screen, clean the magnets, torque the VB.... 129k means the filter/screen and magnet cleaning are overdue.
What magnet? Torque what? The issue I'm having could point to the line pressure solenoid.
General consensus is control valve body need overhaul. I've seen some people said worn rear differential is the culprit as well.
I'd the same problem with '86 cressida in the past and have been using transX additive. Now it start to show up again after long driving.
I'm thinking about using 5 min motor flush and drive for 1 or 2 hrs. then flush. Anyone here ever done that?
There is no general consensus. And, the 'front' differential shares ATF with the transmission. If/when the transmission is serviced, so is the diff. Non-abused transmissions/diffs last a long time with maintenance as the OP claims that was done over the 130k miles.
Motor flush in a transmission? are you trying to destroy it for good?
A maintained transmission never needs any type of chemical flushes.
VB is a valve body. The bolts will loosen up with time and cause internal fluid leaks. When you change your ATF filter, you always snug all the VB bolts back to spec.
Most transmission pans have a magnet or 2 to pick up ferrous wear. They need to be cleaned. But, magnets weaken with time. Replace them when you service the ATF filter.
It could be any of the solenoids.
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Preventive maintenance prevents mechanical problems. Ripe out your owners manual's maintenance schedule and start some common sense intervals for ALL fluids in your vehicle.
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