2002 MR2 Spyder SMT Problems

[MR2002]

I am having major problems with SMT transmission for my 2002 MR2 Spyder.

I have replaced the Hydraulic Pump Assembly and the Gear Shift Assembly at the tune of $3,500. Was shifting fine after repair/installs for about 1 1/2 weeks then more and/or additional issues showed up!!!!!!!! Reluctant to drive it..... CRAZY!!!

I do not have unlimited resources to fix this beautiful car - any ideas? Is there a collector and/or mechanic out there who can simply buy the car from me and take it from there?

Here is the background info for those who want to check it out:

After SECOND TRIP TO DEALERSHIP, Below are the dealership's diagnostic notes (they simply always want to replace entire assemblies and not the affected piece-parts - very very expensive way to go)

P0715 IN MEMORY. PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND FOUND INPUT SPEED REVOLUTION SENSOR NOT READING PROPERLY DUE TO EXTENSIVE METAL FRAGMENTS STUCK TO SENSOR (MAGNETIC). TOOK FLUID SAMPLE FROM TRANSMISSION AND FOUND SEVERE AMOUNT OF METAL IN FLUID.
CAR NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION, CLUTCH, INPUT REVOLUTION SPEED SENSOR, ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY, AND ECU.

I have a 2002 MR2 Spyder with SMT transmission. I need some advice and/or information to rectify the problems I am having with it. The car itself is beautiful, clean, and in great shape. The car has never been abused, raced, has had regular fluid checks/oil changes/maintenance/etc., no turbo, and vast majority of the mileage on the car is highway use largely in 5th gear.

I first took it to closest repair shop to me and they performed diagnostics - tested/replaced the ECU - seemed to help some with shifting but was not able to go further on the rest - recommended that I take it to Toyota because of their advanced computers/software/diagnostics.

• After towing the car for the first time to the Toyota dealership (the one closest to me), the Hydraulic Pump Assembly and Shift Stick/Assembly was replaced. This wiped out 11 codes and it appeared the car was fixed and shifting fine for about 1 1/2 weeks. (cost at this point is $3,500 parts/labor.) I was absolutely shocked at the cost but I had to act and get my car back - (I was ready to start a new job at that time.)
• The 11 codes supposedly fixed during the first trip to the dealership:
• P1781, P1851, P1860, P1866, P1868, P1870, P1873, P1878, P1880, P1874, C1522
• One night, car suddenly began lurching while in traffic, trucks around (never a good safe situation), would not go in reverse, and did not want to stay in gear in 4th - 5th with squeal noises now coming from the back (never before). Somehow got it home, then took it back to same dealership because it is supposed to be guaranteed - after the next go-round of diagnostics/testing - they are now saying I need more part assemblies replaced with the unbelievable costs associated to do it.

(Also during all this time, I had contacted Toyota Headquarters in California for some kind of resolution on this SMT system that was only fielded for 2 years - they gave me a case number and that was about it. When I researched the car prior to our buying it, there was no information about ANY adverse effects from this SMT system and car - it was all top notch, reliable, ratings, etc. everything great.... heralded as a great little car.)

• I have been unemployed for over 8 months and was not able to actually start the new job I just got because of these continuing MR2 SMT problems.
• I am hopeful that you have any ideas or other means by which Toyota can help me out for a rare system that clearly appears defective and should not have been fielded to the public.

Obviously - all of this is extremely expensive IF THAT IS WHAT IT REALLY NEEDS.....
Perhaps the sensor might just need the system drained, the metal flecks taken off, and replace the ground teeth that produced the metal flecks, flush the system, and test. Is that possible?
ANY IDEAS ON WHAT I CAN DO HERE?

[MR2Jedi]

I've heard nothing but problems from the SMT equipped MR2 Spyder. I got the manual 5sp when I had mine-which I no longer own.

Go to salvage yard get a 5speed manual and do a swap: or go to salvalge yard, get a working SMT, then use the car for awhile till you find a replacement and then sell the car.

[bixnix]

try posting your problem at spyderchat.com ... there aren't a lot of spyders here ... then report back here, of course

[MR2002]

Originally Posted by MR2Jedi

I've heard nothing but problems from the SMT equipped MR2 Spyder. I got the manual 5sp when I had mine-which I no longer own.

Go to salvage yard get a 5speed manual and do a swap: or go to salvalge yard, get a working SMT, then use the car for awhile till you find a replacement and then sell the car.

Thanks for your reply - Are there any cost estimates on doing this for 5 speed manual swap? Is it relatively easy to do? I am not real keen on replacing with SMT again, you know what I mean?

Any possibilities in just finding someone (collector) who can just buy it outright and them fix on their own. I also do not have unlimited time to mess around - I just need a car and since I am unemployed I am out of resources. It really could not have been much of a worse time for this whole thing to happen.

[MR2002]

Originally Posted by bixnix

try posting your problem at spyderchat.com ... there aren't a lot of spyders here ... then report back here, of course

I will do that - and get back in here to report - I really need some help here.... Thanks for your reply.

[MR2Jedi]

Originally Posted by MR2002

Thanks for your reply - Are there any cost estimates on doing this for 5 speed manual swap? Is it relatively easy to do? I am not real keen on replacing with SMT again, you know what I mean?

Any possibilities in just finding someone (collector) who can just buy it outright and them fix on their own. I also do not have unlimited time to mess around - I just need a car and since I am unemployed I am out of resources. It really could not have been much of a worse time for this whole thing to happen.

Who would do the tranny swap? It's not that hard. I have no idea how much it would cost.
It would probably be hard to sell it with a bad transmission. You would have to sell it pretty cheaply .

[RPAltman]

Originally Posted by MR2Jedi

Who would do the tranny swap? It's not that hard. I have no idea how much it would cost.
It would probably be hard to sell it with a bad transmission. You would have to sell it pretty cheaply .

There are a lot of threads on SpyderChat.com and MR2Spyder.net discussing SMT issues that might help you diagnose the problem for the dealer.

The Spyder SMT has a lot of reliability issues and it's a very expensive item to fix. If you know how to drive a manual transmission, you'll probably to find it much less expensive to convert it over to a manual 5-speed or 6-speed than to fix the SMT. There's a local shop here in NJ that specializes in MR2s that has done a lot of auto to manual and SMT to manual swaps. Even though shipping the car from NC to NJ is unrealistic, I can ask them for a ballpark estimate just so you'd have a point of comparison.

I agree with MR2Jedi.. unless your car has VERY low mileage and is in 'showroom' condition, you're going to have to price the car much more cheaply than you'd expect if you want to sell it to anyone with a bad transmission.