97 Corolla Auto shifting prob.

[Silas]

Hi there.

I myself own a volvo, but my parents old 97 Corolla is having some problems shifting! Sometimes its fine, others its not. The car has only 230,000kms on it, so i can't see why its having problems already, its been babied all these years. Basically, while putting it into reverse, it won't engage. Sometimes it won't for just 5 seconds, others for 10. Another issue is that it won't shift into 3rd sometimes. Its just a 3speed auto with no overdrive. It'll sometimes shift, sometimes not. Could this be the solenoid, or a fluid problem? The fluid is normal color, not burnt smelling at all, topped up just as its always been. Never been flushed. Perhaps i should try that first? Any thoughts appreciated.

[REN69]

Never been flushed?? I wouldn't call that "babied" if you know what I mean.. give that a try first, next could be the solenoid, if not maybe the transmission is gone.

[Silas]

Okay, will do.

I meant babied as in driving it like its a brand new Bently or something...

Thanks though.

[Silas]

update!

flushed and changed...old crap was totally black and flaky. works like a charm now

[CorollaDX-R]

u know u should flush ur tranny or atleast change the tranny fluid after every 4 oil changes...

[redgtxdi]

Another thing.............

If you've got the 3 spd with the separate diff.....(like my '95 prizm)......then you wanna change that too. It's more of a PITA, but it's doable.

If you get under the vehicle, you'll see the engine oil drain plug, the trans oil drain plug, then one more bolt under there. (Allen head, actually). THAT'S the diff drain plug. Loosen that & drain as usual, then either from the bottom (PITA) or the top (have to remove the air intake stuff to get to it well) you'll see a fill bolt....(true hex-headed bolt up there)....that's the "fill" for the diff. You simply fill it 'til it starts to leak out.

ONE IMPORTANT TIP ----------> ******Don't have the front of the vehicle jacked up when you fill it back up!!! Jack up the rear as high as you can get it to keep oil from spilling back out the fill hole. Level is ideal, but jacking the rear will ensure you get enough oil in there. Then put the fill bolt back in & you're done. Oh, btw, it takes the regular trans oil (Dextron 3 is what I used per AutoZone's instructions) and then you'll truly be worry free for a while.

Lastly, I typically change the trans oil every time I change the motor oil. (Not the diff....just the trans!) That way you're constantly introducing new oil into the trans. You can flush every 50K or 100K if you want, but that's what *I* do.

Congrats on it working well again, btw!

[REN69]

That's a lot of money if you don't do it yourself.. Toyota charges $80 for transmission flush & fills up here.