REVERSE to DRIVE (AT) - hard kick

[agalinski]

2002 V6 Camry; AT. For quite some time, the vehicle has a hard kick when you switch from REVERSE to DRIVE; definitely want a firm foot on the brake pedal. The dealer claims this is because the engine is cold. Admittedly, the Reverse to Drive kick is softer after the car has been driven for a while, but still a kick. On a possibly related note, I just drained and refilled the ATF and found only 3.25 quarts of Type T-IV. Last drain and fill was done at the dealer. If this is short, could this be the cause of the hard kick when switching from Reverse to Drive? Shouldn't it be 3.7 quarts for an AT drain and fill? Thank you.

[lamar411]

That also happens to me when the car is cold. But happens in the middle summer once in a while. Same thing in my Lexus sometimes it feels like it doesnt want to shift.

[PRINCESS PEACH]

Do you switch from reverse to drive when your car is completely stopped? or while your car is still rolling?

[agalinski]

In this car, I always make sure to come to a complete stop after reverse and hold the brake firmly. Anything less and you'll get whiplash from the kick! When holding the brake and switching from R to D, there is a thud. Then I know it is okay to let go of the brake and start rolling forward. We've owned the car from day 1, but my wife is the primary driver. I am certain it wasn't always like this.

[Pawel062]

yea it could be the ATF. check levels are ok and your using the right one.

[MrSo0h0o]

check your motor mounts. with a 2002, they may be worn out/broken

[Netforcer]

Originally Posted by MrSo0h0o

check your motor mounts. with a 2002, they may be worn out/broken

+1... How's your shifting? Does your car vibrate at a stop?

[agalinski]

I'll check the motor mounts, but only have 60,000 miles; family driving. Shifting between gears is fine; no vibration at stop. Only Reverse to Drive; before the engine is warm... at any time of year; live in the Chicagoland area.

[JohnGD]

That should be the U140E transmission. IMO the entire Aisin U-series is bad news. If this thing is like the U240 series then sure there is a fluid circuit problem. But I'd think it has more to do with occasional shift problems as the fluid couldn't empty itself quickly enough or some thing like that.

However, your issue may be related to something as simple as an accumulator that absorbs shift shocks. It's simply a spring loaded piston in a chamber. If the o-ring around it leaks then it loses it's function.

Originally Posted by agalinski

2002 V6 Camry; AT. For quite some time, the vehicle has a hard kick when you switch from REVERSE to DRIVE; definitely want a firm foot on the brake pedal. The dealer claims this is because the engine is cold. Admittedly, the Reverse to Drive kick is softer after the car has been driven for a while, but still a kick. On a possibly related note, I just drained and refilled the ATF and found only 3.25 quarts of Type T-IV. Last drain and fill was done at the dealer. If this is short, could this be the cause of the hard kick when switching from Reverse to Drive? Shouldn't it be 3.7 quarts for an AT drain and fill? Thank you.

[islandboy57]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

That should be the U140E transmission. IMO the entire Aisin U-series is bad news. If this thing is like the U240 series then sure there is a fluid circuit problem. But I'd think it has more to do with occasional shift problems as the fluid couldn't empty itself quickly enough or some thing like that.

I don't particularly care for the U-series transmissions, at least the ones I've driven with. Both mine and an aunt's '05 Avalon have a clunk once in a while when you're driving, and the Avalon is a little slow to shift into DRIVE and you can definitely feel it too.

The transmission in my mom's gen 3.5 (A-series?) is smoother and less quirky than mine for sure.