Transmission Unusual Shifts

[Rpov]

A) Transmission will not shift from 2nd to drive under 3,000 rpm after starting cold regardless whether it is only 32 deg or 90 deg F. After it shifts into drive it functions completely normal shifting from 2nd to drive at lower rpms.

B) Transmission shifts hard into forward gear after starting engine cold at any outside temperature when the engine rpm is above 900 rpm. After waiting for the engine rpm to drop below 900 with transmission in reverse it goes into forward smoothly. After engine warms up, holding the engine at 1,200 rpm shifting from neutral to forward is also a harsh shift. Shifting to reverse is smooth at any rpm.

Changed transmission oil. Took it to a Toyota dealer who found no fault codes and concuded that the transmission needs to be replaces to correct the problems. They do not repair transmissions. ECM was reflashed by dealer but does not appear to have helped.

Does anyone have any ideas with this one? Wondering if it is one of the solenoids inside the transmission that is letting too much oil flow to engage forward gear?

This is a 03 Camry V6 with 59K mi.

[thrawnis]

+1 to what djkor said!

On a side note, why would you want to hold the engine at 1200 RPM in neutral, then shift to drive? My immediate thought is that doing this regularly will damage the transmission...

[JohnGD]

2003 is the second year they started using the Aisin U140E transmission in the V6. IMO, the newer U-series transmissions are bad news. You hear all kinds of shift problems and gear skippings (U660E).

Like others said, shifting into gear at higher idle RPMs will cause a hard jolt. Why not wait until the RPM comes down and then try?

You can probably have the line pressure taken. Not sure if the transmission has pressure control solenoid. I'd recommend a local Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Assoc (ATRA) shop, not just any shop. Better odds at least. Use the Shop Finder:

http://www.atra.com/source/members/m...rch/search.cfm

Originally Posted by Rpov

A) Transmission will not shift from 2nd to drive under 3,000 rpm after starting cold regardless whether it is only 32 deg or 90 deg F. After it shifts into drive it functions completely normal shifting from 2nd to drive at lower rpms.

B) Transmission shifts hard into forward gear after starting engine cold at any outside temperature when the engine rpm is above 900 rpm. After waiting for the engine rpm to drop below 900 with transmission in reverse it goes into forward smoothly. After engine warms up, holding the engine at 1,200 rpm shifting from neutral to forward is also a harsh shift. Shifting to reverse is smooth at any rpm.

Changed transmission oil. Took it to a Toyota dealer who found no fault codes and concuded that the transmission needs to be replaces to correct the problems. They do not repair transmissions. ECM was reflashed by dealer but does not appear to have helped.

Does anyone have any ideas with this one? Wondering if it is one of the solenoids inside the transmission that is letting too much oil flow to engage forward gear?

This is a 03 Camry V6 with 59K mi.