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Car Forum / Toyota / Toyota Cars / November 2005

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Transmission not engaging!

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Hawaiian Gaijin - 08 Nov 2005 05:00 GMT
Aloha everyone!

I have a relatively well maintained 1988 Toyota Camry and returned home
recently with no problem.

Next morning, the car would not engage into gear.  When I move the
automatic shift stick, it clicks into the appropriate position, but no
gear engagement in the transmission.

I checked the tranny fluid and while a little high, it is full.  Then I
checked the linkage while a friend shift gear positions.  Up front
under the engine, the lever was shift and clickly properly.

I think it is then a problem that is within the transmission housing,
but there was no warning?  Could I be overlooking anything obvious like
a sensor not working?

Any enlightenment is most kindly appreciated.
Thanks,
Owen
Ray O - 08 Nov 2005 06:11 GMT
> Aloha everyone!
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> checked the linkage while a friend shift gear positions.  Up front
> under the engine, the lever was shift and clickly properly.

What color was the transmission fluid?

How many miles are on the car?

What is its service history?

> I think it is then a problem that is within the transmission housing,
> but there was no warning?  Could I be overlooking anything obvious like
> a sensor not working?

A bad sensor will make the OD light on the instrument panel flash but it
will not prevent the transmission from engaging.

I think you are correct that there is an internal problem with the
transmission.

> Any enlightenment is most kindly appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Owen

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Ray O
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Hawaiian Gaijin - 10 Nov 2005 18:42 GMT
Ray O....

Thank for your response.   Trany fluid is a browny red color, and the
milage is about 135K.

While I have only had it a year, a friend who is an air force mechanic
had it for many years and kept it well.

Because it had worked fine the night before,and showed no smyptoms, I
am wondering if it is something minor I am overlooking????
Ray O - 11 Nov 2005 06:10 GMT
> Ray O....
>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Because it had worked fine the night before,and showed no smyptoms, I
> am wondering if it is something minor I am overlooking????

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if the selector linkage is moving on
the transmission case, then something inside the transmission is probably
broken.

If there is 135K on the original ATF, then that could have contributed to
the problem.

One of the things I've noticed is a friend who has had transmission problems
on several different vehicles of different makes.  He has a bad habit of
shifting from drive to reverse and vice versa before the vehicle comes to a
complete stop, and that puts a lot of wear and tear on friction surfaces in
the transmission.  Couple that with infrequent ATF changes and you have a
recipe for problems.
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Ray O
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Hawaiian Gaijin - 21 Nov 2005 18:31 GMT
Ray O....

I am pretty much decided that I will dump the car for whatever I can
get for is as scrap.  Sadly I just put in a new starter, alternator,
spark plugs, and distibutor cap.

When I check the ATF fuid level and then start the engine, it never
changes.  It is still very high in the dipstick tube.   Once the motor
is running, shouldn't the fluid start pumping through the tranny?
This is definitley NOT happening.    Hence, it must be something
internal in the tranny?!?

Ready for the junkyard,
Owen
Thanks for your advice on this.  I really admire people like you who
take your own time to help others.
Louis M. Brown - 21 Nov 2005 21:02 GMT
>Ray O....
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>Thanks for your advice on this.  I really admire people like you who
>take your own time to help others.

Sounds like the front pump is out.

Pull the parts you just swapped (if brand new) and ebay them. :P

-LMB
Ray O - 21 Nov 2005 22:03 GMT
> Ray O....
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
> Thanks for your advice on this.  I really admire people like you who
> take your own time to help others.

Yes, once the motor is running, it should start circulating through the
tranny, however, looking at ATF level on the dipstick is not the way to
check for circulation.  The way to check is to install a transmission
pressure gauge.  If the gauge shows zero or very low pressure, then the
front pump is suspect.  A pressure gauge will help diagnose other problems
as well.

Good luck on the sale!
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Ray O
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