Transaxle problems - need book recommendation

[kdeboy]

I have a 93 Corolla with automatic transaxle and about 175K miles and the the trans will no longer go into any of the forward gears - they all act like neutral or park. Reverse works OK. Transmission shops in town have told me it could cost up t0 $2900 to fix, probably more than the car is worth so I'd like to try to fix it myself but I can't find any information on even how to troubleshoot.

1. Haynes manual for this car shows how to check fluid level, change filter, and remove transaxle but nothing on troubleshooting, adjusting bands, etc.

2. Chilton's Automatic Transmission Troubleshooting and Repair book contains very little useful info on the Toyota transaxle other than to mention it's controlled by a computer and how; no mention of how to access or test the computer.

3. Motor Auto Repair Manual for 1993 has instructions for checking and adjusting the shift lever but no info on where to find it. Also no info on checking and adjusting the bands.

I can get a set of used factory service manuals for about $100 but I don't want to buy them if they don't tell me how to troubleshoot and repair the transaxle, check the computer, access and adjust the shift linkage, etc. Has anyone here seen the factory service manuals? If so do they have the info I need?

Thanks,
Ken

[cipher93]

Unless you are trained to do so, there is nothing you can really do with an A/T. I know the Haynes book specifically mentions this and is why they only give basic troubleshooting instructions. The factory service manual probably tells you how to work on it, and is useful to have, but I've not seen it to say if it will do any good to someone untrained. I think bitter can probably tell you more as I believe he has experience working on/rebuilding automatic transmissions.

At any rate, what is the engine in the car? If it is a 1.6L you have a 3 speed. If it is a 1.8 you have an electronically controlled 4 speed. These cars are fairly common in junk yards and you could probably get one for around $300 and install it yourself which is relatively easy. I can't be 100% sure, but the 3 speed from a Geo Prizm should also work in a Corolla, but the 4 speed out of a Prizm may not work given GM used their own control system in Geos.

[kdeboy]

It's the 1.8L with 4 speed. I'm not so much concerned about trying to rebuild the trans myself, but it would be nice to know how to check or adjust the bands, check the shift linkage and computer to make sure they're not the problem before taking the trans out of the car.

Cheers,
Ken

[zythr]

Before replacing this tranny. Have you checked the fluid? Have you also checked the solenoids? One or more could have failed, which can cause what you are describing? Have you also tried to shift manually?

[kdeboy]

I checked fluid, level is OK and doesn't appear burned. If I put it in D or any other forward gear nothing happens but reverse works OK. Don't know how to check solenoids, couldn't find how to do this in any of the 3 books I've looked at.

Cheers,
Ken

[zythr]

If you had the service manual, it should list how to check the solenoids.