AUTO Transmission... HELP!!

[SLC Punk]

I have a 1993 XLE V6 Camry with an auto tranny. When the transmission is cold (and only when its cold) the car will feel sliggish and then the transmission will feel like it shifted from 1st to 3rd (the rpm's will suddenly drop). The car doesn't stall but it has to downshift to regain its power. Now here is where it gets weird, it only does it once a drive on its first shift out of first (usually when it sits overnight or after work, and gets cold) , after that the car runs and shifts fine. When the engine/tranny is warm, it is fine.

Now do you think that it is a sensor? The fluid is full and clean, there is no signs of burning (smell test) and the color of the fluid is red.

Has anyone else had this problem?

[DrtySthV6SE]

Mine does something similar to that. In the morning when i first start driving the first set of shifts through the gears usually takes longer. Such as it waits until 3000RPM to shift from second to third under normal acceleration. could this be normal to warm it up?
Ideas??

[DIRTBIKEZ]

How long have you had that tranny cooler installed? The reason I ask is since I installed mine, my transmission seems to shift slow and late when its cold. It takes a good amount of time for it (transmission) to warm up. Maybe its just because it has remained below freezing since I installed it.

[nort0188]

Originally Posted by DIRTBIKEZ

How long have you had that tranny cooler installed?

I believe the tranny cooler is on the 4Runner and the problem is with the Camry. Mine does the same thing, sort of. Only when it's cold, and usually the first time shifting from 1st to 2nd I believe. It hesitates around 2k rpm, and will then continue after a few seconds of hovering there. Never really got it figured out, but it hasn't been much of a problem lately.

[EKam]

I think when your car is cold the tranny will shift very slowly just to prevent potential damages. It'll also stick to 2nd or 3rd gear when cruising instead of 4th. After 10 mins of drive or so it'll drop down to 4th.

I would say try to warm up your car for a while (5-10mins) and just accelerate slowly and try to keep the rev low until the temp guage goes up to a decent temperature.

Other than that I don't know how to solve the problem, but the V6 tranny is known to be near-bullet-proof so there shouldn't be anything to worry about. If you're trying to track it then that's a different story. :

[DIRTBIKEZ]

I believe the tranny cooler is on the 4Runner and the problem is with the Camry.

Oh yes, my mistake :oops:

[Eye8Pussies]

Originally Posted by ElegantKamuri

Other than that I don't know how to solve the problem, but the V6 tranny is known to be near-bullet-proof so there shouldn't be anything to worry about. If you're trying to track it then that's a different story. :

doh....I laugh....but only 'till I track come spring.... :oops:

[SLC Punk]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.
My parents bought the car new, and sold it to me last year. It started doing this last summer.
Here is what I have done:
- 110,000 Miles: Took off the pan and changed the filter (No metal chunks and filter still looked good) Replaced 4 quarts of fluid.
-116,000 Miles: Removed drain plug for transmission and replaced 4 quarts, fluid was still good. Added a transmission conditioner that didn't do anything.
-120,000 Miles: Removed drain plug for transmission and replaced 4 quarts, fluid was still good. Added a NAPA transmission conditioner

After I added the NAPA conditioner, it shifted very smooth, for about 3 months. Now it is back to normal.

I am not sure if it is the transmission, it almost feels like the engine is running rough... I have heard on older 4Runners that the T.P. (throttle position sensor) can go out of adjustment. Has anyone had this problem with the Camry's??

Thanks again guys!!

[camry_dude]

I have a question about something similiar. All the time now right after the car shifts the rpms will drop fairly quick and then go back up just a little. I don't remember my car doing that before. Any ideas

[SLC Punk]

^bump