2005 camry transmission or torque converter problem

[x00n]

Hello all,

I am new here. My 2005 camry automatic 4 cylinder LE with 67k miles have a vibrating problem when it goes about 35-45 mph, and this happens everytime going up a hill fast about 45 mph. This issue only started after a transmission fluid flush at the dealer Beaverton Toyota, OR at about 60k (suggested by them of course because the color of the ATF was brown). The car was fine before and shifts normal and doesn't have this vibration sound.

Last week I took the car back to Beaverton Toyota, OR, and they said it needs a transmission replacement costs $4000, and today they called me to tell me that Toyota can cover 50% of the cost, so i would pay $2000. Toyota company would pay $1000, while the dealer would pay the remain $1000. The service guy from Beaverton Toyota, OR, told me that the problem is the Torque converter would not come out of the lock mode.

Do you guys have any suggestions on fixing this issue? Could the torque converter is going bad? Could the service person screwed up on my car when they flushed the Transmission fluid? The car is out of warranty by 7k miles. Could I contact with Toyota regional claims manager to fight about it be cover 100% by toyota?

Thank you so much for your time and advise, any help is very appreciated!

-- below is my vent, must read if you're toyota rep!
I am really disappointed at Toyota lately, with the news and now my car. I could have bought a hydundai with 100k warranty and at lower costs. And my family recently also bought a 2010 prius, and it had one speaker wasn't wired correctly, so we took it to Beaverton Toyota, OR and they wanted straight from me $280 on the phone after 2 days of their so called tech guys invistigating and accusing me of installing after market things onto the new prius with 2 weeks of owning it. We had to go to Beaverton Toyota, OR to hear them of saying sorry for accusing on the phone. If Toyota company reps sees my message here, please do something.

[CamryBenny]

Originally Posted by x00n

Hello all,

I am new here. My 2005 camry automatic 4 cylinder LE with 67k miles have a vibrating problem when it goes about 35-45 mph, and this happens everytime going up a hill fast about 45 mph. This issue only started after a transmission fluid flush at the dealer Beaverton Toyota, OR at about 60k (suggested by them of course because the color of the ATF was brown). The car was fine before and shifts normal and doesn't have this vibration sound.

Last week I took the car back to Beaverton Toyota, OR, and they said it needs a transmission replacement costs $4000, and today they called me to tell me that Toyota can cover 50% of the cost, so i would pay $2000. Toyota company would pay $1000, while the dealer would pay the remain $1000. The service guy from Beaverton Toyota, OR, told me that the problem is the Torque converter would not come out of the lock mode.

Do you guys have any suggestions on fixing this issue? Could the torque converter is going bad? Could the service person screwed up on my car when they flushed the Transmission fluid? The car is out of warranty by 7k miles. Could I contact with Toyota regional claims manager to fight about it be cover 100% by toyota?

Thank you so much for your time and advise, any help is very appreciated!

-- below is my vent, must read if you're toyota rep!
I am really disappointed at Toyota lately, with the news and now my car. I could have bought a hydundai with 100k warranty and at lower costs. And my family recently also bought a 2010 prius, and it had one speaker wasn't wired correctly, so we took it to Beaverton Toyota, OR and they wanted straight from me $280 on the phone after 2 days of their so called tech guys invistigating and accusing me of installing after market things onto the new prius with 2 weeks of owning it. We had to go to Beaverton Toyota, OR to hear them of saying sorry for accusing on the phone. If Toyota company reps sees my message here, please do something.

i think you should try other dealer to have second opinion, also try transmission shop. It's really rare that Toyota have problem with transmission I know alot of Honda has transmission problem at +100K miles. If the transmission is the problem go to the shop ask for quote, don't go to dealer they are money suckers. They over charge everything. Last time I went there for the 30k major check up... cost me 300 bucks which is 15 tax ,125parts and 160 labor cost.

Did you put any thing on the car lately like intake, mufflers or header. Or did you unplug the battery... I got the vibrate problem after disconnect my battery. Running a few miles it will work ok I guess the car just have to restart and learn the whole process so it vibrate.

When the car vibrate did it shift gear, if it miss the gear then definitely transmission.

About your prius ask them to do it free, since it still under guarantee. Your camry is out of guarantee for so long already... The guarantee is good for 3 year and 60k mile what ever come first which is mean if your car is 4 year old no more guarantee.

[x00n]

The vibration occurs when i'm pressing on the gas pedal and going like 45 on a uphill or over pass, and while it vibrates the rpm needles goes about ticks between 1200 rpm to 1500rpm and I can hear the engine kind pulses. But once i let off the gas, this goes away, press it again then its all back again.

I didn't add anything to the car, last thing done to it was the transmission fluid flush at the Beaverton Toyota dealer, and this problem started to happen.

A funny thing: my 91 corolla manual I can shift so smooth with it, more smooth than the 2005 camry auto LOL

Originally Posted by CamryBenny

i think you should try other dealer to have second opinion, also try transmission shop. It's really rare that Toyota have problem with transmission I know alot of Honda has transmission problem at +100K miles. If the transmission is the problem go to the shop ask for quote, don't go to dealer they are money suckers. They over charge everything. Last time I went there for the 30k major check up... cost me 300 bucks which is 15 tax ,125parts and 160 labor cost.

Did you put any thing on the car lately like intake, mufflers or header. Or did you unplug the battery... I got the vibrate problem after disconnect my battery. Running a few miles it will work ok I guess the car just have to restart and learn the whole process so it vibrate.

When the car vibrate did it shift gear, if it miss the gear then definitely transmission.

About your prius ask them to do it free, since it still under guarantee. Your camry is out of guarantee for so long already... The guarantee is good for 3 year and 60k mile what ever come first which is mean if your car is 4 year old no more guarantee.

[CamryBenny]

So idk... maybe the guy over fill the fluid, or maybe you are living in cold area (Toronto) and just not warm the car enough might cause the transmission to go bad... Like I said go to a local shop ask them to check over/ check the fluid, ask them to test drive etc... and yes the shop can just rebuild the transmission if that the problem instead of let the money sucker replace the whole transmission system.

take a look at this thread too
Transmission Unusual Shifts

If you driving 45mph and your rpm is 1200-1500 i think it is low... and when it shift gear it usually over 2k5-3k...
Hope this help

[x00n]

Thank you very much for you advise! I will definitely take the car to local transmission shop and hear what they say. I agree with you about the stealers(dealers).

Originally Posted by CamryBenny

So idk... maybe the guy over fill the fluid, or maybe you are living in cold area (Toronto) and just not warm the car enough might cause the transmission to go bad... Like I said go to a local shop ask them to check over/ check the fluid, ask them to test drive etc... and yes the shop can just rebuild the transmission if that the problem instead of let the money sucker replace the whole transmission system.

take a look at this thread too
Transmission Unusual Shifts

If you driving 45mph and your rpm is 1200-1500 i think it is low... and when it shift gear it usually over 2k5-3k...
Hope this help