96 automatic transmission reverse only

[jason3223]

I have had my 1996 camry for 5 years now. I've never had any major problems..until now. I drove it to the corner store, about 1 mile from home, the car was fine. Coming back home, the car reached about 20 mph, when it seemed to slip out of gear. Pulled to roadside, and found that none the forward moving gears worked. It did work in reverse, that's how I got it home. Now it has reverse, and nothing else. Any ideas that might save me a rebuild? Checked fluids and that's about all.

[atobe]

does it work in 2,L ?? could be a simple adjustment of the shift cable to the trans is those two works

[jason3223]

Originally Posted by atobe

does it work in 2,L ?? could be a simple adjustment of the shift cable to the trans is those two works

It does not work in D,2,L. The selector looks like its moving correctly through the positions. Just will not engage in any of the forward moving gears.

[73sport]

Sounds like it fried the forward clutch pack which would do as say and degrade your gear options leaving only reverse. The first thing that coems to mind is, "Was it out of fluid and how did you check it?"

How it could have no symptoms before hand is beyond me. Does this car have multiply drivers? How many miles are on it? Has it EVER needed trans fluid added?

This car does have an electronic valve body; are there any codes thrown? Have you checked all the fuses, (under dash and hood). Has it ever been crashed bad in the left front or had any work done that someone might have monkey'd with the wires to trans?

Check the TRANSMISSION dipstick with the engine on and idling for at least 5min and give it sniff the first time you pull it to wipe it. Provide us color and smell of the fluid.

Off hand it doesn't look good tho.

[jason3223]

Just getting time to work on this problem. This vehicle does have multiple drivers. Myself not the primary. Since my last post, I took advice of a friend, and drained the transaxle and replaced it's filter. Noticed that the magnets, in the pan had very little shavings on them. The fluid was definatley used, but not burnt smelling. Replaced everything, and re-topped fluids. The car will only move slighty in L,2, and Drive, and thats with the engine running at 3500 RPMs. Fluid level is correct according to dipstick, and suggested refill level(which is 2.6 in repair manual). I have seen in several places, that the correct amount would be 3.9 qts. Before draining, I added fluid above the dipstick level, and it seemed to move forward with a little more catch. Haven't checked fuses, other than the cruise control/etc fuse. Not sure what my next step should be?