Automotive Forums

I bought a 98 Camry eight months ago, in a remote part of the planet (in Latin America) and a week ago it's transmission suddenly stopped going past first when in Drive, and the next day it completely stopped going into gear at all. However Reverse still worked. So, we had it towed to the nearest mechanic that would at least change the fluid, etc (although he is no transmission expert). First he told us that it seemed to be an electric problem, but he also said the fluid hadn't been changed in a LONG time. He changed the fluid several times and tried to get it moving but it wouldn't budge. After a week of calling his friend in a nearby city that works at Toyota, the guy brought some tools over to check the transmission himself, and his diagnosis was that the "discs" were burnt, although I may not be translating that right. Today when I went to discuss where to go from here, the mechanic (not the Toyota guy), said that at high RPMs it would still go into gear. However, when he got in the car to show me, it barely moved forward even at 7000 rmps, and the mechanic tried moving the car between neutral, drive and reverse, while trying to get it to work. Suddenly, the car went into first gear and from that moment on, the Drive setting has worked perfectly, in ALL gears, but it wont go into reverse any more. Any ideas what could be going on here and is it something I need to take it to a shop for (because the nearest shop is 200 miles away). I'd appreciate any information that would help me make the best decision about what to do with the car (a new transmission is not very possible in this country). Thanks.  

You might want to stop into a transmission repair shop and let them determine what the problem is. It could be electrical or hydraulic. The transmission's shift are controlled by electrical solenoids that the engine controller turns on and off. If you have a bad solenoid or the engine controller isn't activating or deactivating the solenoids correctly, it could causing your issue. You could also have a hydraulic problem such as a stuck valve or internal leak that can cause that too.

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All that mechanic did was to get the trans so hot that it fried your forward clutches together,IF he had to change fluid that many times to get all the contaminates,(clutch plate lining) you were already due for a trans rebuild.  

I am not sure how this works but i have a problem.  My 98 Toyota Camry did not pass smog.  The Diagnostic Trouble Code indicates a problem with a solenoid in the transmission.  I had it replaced, it passed smog, now it is not shifting correctly if at all and it is driving bumpy like I am going over those bumps on the road in case you fall asleep.  A mechanic said it sounds like I need a complete rebuild or replacement of the Transmission (Transaxle/Differential assembly) whatever that is.  Only 12 more payments and I own this vehicle.  Any idea what else it could be.  It started doing this after replacing the first item.