'88 MKIII Auto Trans won't shift out of first gear - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bambudist · 03-18-2009, 03:03 PM

1988 MKIII, Targa Top, Automatic, 7MGE

One day the tranny is working fine, the next day it won't shift out of first. Is this a solenoid problem or....?
Shifts into Reverse fine and into First but won't up-shift normally.

Anyone have a magic bullet for me to solve this problem? This is coming at a very inconvenient time. (but isn't it always?)

Any help greatly appreciated...

willtotheumm · 03-19-2009, 01:43 PM

I'm no automatic trans specialist but maybe you need a trans flush? I've seen cars and driven cars that their trans do the same thing. Total PITA's. After giving them a transmission service they shifted smoother. Not saying that the trans service is a cure-all, but it may help you.

bambudist · 03-20-2009, 08:53 PM

Thanks, I did that and checking around, I believe it is a broken speedo cable connection. After find this out and looking for a cable, I found this.
http://tinyurl.com/dxqbyj

I will let you know if this fixes it.

willtotheumm · 03-20-2009, 11:59 PM

Hopefully that's your answer. I'll be waiting to hear the answer

bambudist · 03-21-2009, 05:26 PM

After many telling me it was this and that in the Tranny, I found out that the coupling from the speedo cable to the Auto trans was broken. This is at the rear right side where the cable enters the housing. Without it working properly, the car will not shift out of 1st. I think is a pretty key piece of information for anyone who owns this car. Maybe others know this but I was unable to find that info here.

Anyway, I hope this helps anyone else. The part, small as it was, just brass fitting with a piece of cable, was $120. When I found that out, I knew this had to be a key piece because of how they priced it at the dealer.

Another fun and in this case happy Supra adventure!

Thanks!