Do you have any experience, whatsoever, with transmission repair?

If not, do you honesty think that you want to try going into this "blind" or close to it? (And your answer could be, "yes.")

For myself, and I'm a big DIY-er, there are things I just don't and won't DIY, and transmissions are one of them. Getting at anything (and a solenoid pack is a major "anything") when it comes to a transmission is a non-trivial task that I'd never want to think about doing without having access to a lift.

I understand the concern about limited funds, truly I do, but I would take it to a transmission shop that works on Toyotas with regularity. You could put yourself out of commission for far longer, and end up spending more money, unless you have someone you really trust and who knows these cars and this work to guide you throughout the process. If you don't, my advice is take it to a professional who does, and bite the money bullet.

 

IDK what codes you're getting, but some backstory from me may be useful. My previous Camry was a 95 LE. Bought at auction after being "totaled". Wife was in charge of that purchase, and paid too much. Ticked me off for several years - until I saw it kept ticking, and ticking, and ticking in spite of taking a beating. End of that story, 20 years of driving later, 330k miles on the odo, sold it for 800. Still a reliable car - but tired, and old. Had issues. That Camry is still driving on the road. Replaced with a 2004 Camry with the V6. Used, 170k miles. Lovely car, but the tranny was noticeably different from my old Camry. Balky shifting (delayed). After another 50k miles, started throwing P0500 codes. I don't want to drag this out, but this issue continued for 6 months or more, with EVERY mechanic and shop misdiagnosing the issue. Why? Because all the bits involved with the tranny and shifting are so interconnected that the computer misreports, and the mechanics are lost. Speed sensors - all the way around - didn't fix it. ECM - replaced with new - didn't fix it. Finally replaced the ABS control module, and that fixed it.

The physical manifestations: delayed and balky shifting, tranny dropping into neutral while driving, bear some similarity to yours but are not identical. This is an issue where I would recommend you take the car to a dealer with a good shop. When I finally gave up on the independents (including a dedicated tranny shop), the dealer was the one who had a mechanic with enough experience to recognize what the issue was. This issue was a major reason I quit using an independent shop that I had been using for 10 years. They were just throwing parts at it.

I have the utmost faith in the reliability of Toyotas. No other brand has served my family as well, and we've had more than a few others. I will pay more to fix than "replacement" (used) value - because I feel if the issue is known, I'll end up ahead. A "new" used car is another set of unknowns to fix, and will ultimately cost more in time and money (probably).

 

IDK what codes you're getting, but some backstory from me may be useful. My previous Camry was a 95 LE. Bought at auction after being "totaled". Wife was in charge of that purchase, and paid too much. Ticked me off for several years - until I saw it kept ticking, and ticking, and ticking in spite of taking a beating. End of that story, 20 years of driving later, 330k miles on the odo, sold it for 800. Still a reliable car - but tired, and old. Had issues. That Camry is still driving on the road. Replaced with a 2004 Camry with the V6. Used, 170k miles. Lovely car, but the tranny was noticeably different from my old Camry. Balky shifting (delayed). After another 50k miles, started throwing P0500 codes. I don't want to drag this out, but this issue continued for 6 months or more, with EVERY mechanic and shop misdiagnosing the issue. Why? Because all the bits involved with the tranny and shifting are so interconnected that the computer misreports, and the mechanics are lost. Speed sensors - all the way around - didn't fix it. ECM - replaced with new - didn't fix it. Finally replaced the ABS control module, and that fixed it.

The physical manifestations: delayed and balky shifting, tranny dropping into neutral while driving, bear some similarity to yours but are not identical. This is an issue where I would recommend you take the car to a dealer with a good shop. When I finally gave up on the independents (including a dedicated tranny shop), the dealer was the one who had a mechanic with enough experience to recognize what the issue was. This issue was a major reason I quit using an independent shop that I had been using for 10 years. They were just throwing parts at it.

I have the utmost faith in the reliability of Toyotas. No other brand has served my family as well, and we've had more than a few others. I will pay more to fix than "replacement" (used) value - because I feel if the issue is known, I'll end up ahead. A "new" used car is another set of unknowns to fix, and will ultimately cost more in time and money (probably).

What ended up being the issue? I am having some intermittent shift issues with my 2007 V6 which are not fluid related and need somewhere to start. Thanks.

 

A DIY transmission repair parts cost is around a $1000 bucks. Labor is 12 to 18 hours.

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