What could be wrong with my transmission.
Asked by Caleb Jul 21, 2017 at 12:04 PM about the 2002 Toyota Camry LE V6
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Car wont go into any gear. Disconnected the battery to clear codes and a new
one isnt popping up. Although everythime the battery is reconnected the car
has gears and moves but gets slower and slower until it stops. What could be
the cause?
19 Answers
Would check your transmission fluid level. See if there is any moisture or oil in and around the transmission module if so you found the issue. Could be a number of things at this point without further info. Good Luck!
The transmission fluid level is normal. And there is no moisture around the module. What other issues could it be?
Nope. Sorry i just saw that you answered. It had a check engine light for the catalytic converter but that was it. It cleared itself when the battery got reconnected. What it does is if you disconnect the battery for 10 seconds and reconnect it it will go into reverse and drive. But after a short distance it start to loose power and slow down and wont go into any gear until you do the battery thing again.
That CAT code may be clue to your issue. The tranny may not be the Problem? If the cat is becoming restricred...the vehicle will loose power. Any other codes stored...or...maybe a flashing Check Engine Light?
No the cat has been a issue since 150k. There have been no new codes pop up and the only stored codes is emissions. It has to be the trans because thats the only thing that would make since for the battery disconnect to make it move. The engine has plenty of power the trans just wont engage. Another person said because of the battery disconnect fixing it, the cause could be the tcm. But im still not sure thats why im asking here.
Ok....if we disregard the CAT issue, then I would agree the trans computer..TCM...could be the issue. However...when that happens codes are set in the TCM. Suggest you have this vehicle scanned again. Do not DC the battery so the codes will not be cleard. Get back with results.
Caleb...any updates concerning the issue with your vehicle?
No the car now just has no gears no matter what I try.
Ok...lets try this. Start up the vehicle. Let it warm up in park. Pull the dipstick and check the trans. Fluid level. It should be at the full mark engine running. From inside the vehicle step on the brake pedal and shift into reverse gear. Do you feel a bump indicating reverse engagment? Then put the trans into Drive....do you feel another bump indicating foward engagement? Put the trans. Back into park. Look at the tachometer. What does it read? Get back with results.
The fluid level is fine. It smells a bit burnt but other then that it's a pretty good color. And no there is no sign of any kind of gear engagement at all. The tack stays at idle the whole time around 7-800 rpm as it always has done. But when shifted it doesn't drop or go up at all and there is no sign of life from the trans at all.
When you were performing the above tests and the engine was running...was the CEL...check engine light ...ON?
No.. but the battery was dead and it had one before. But I can't afford a scan tool..
IF......the engine does not rev up when the vehicle is in Drive or Reverse...while pushing the gas pedal...then you may be in what is known as...Limp in Mode...if the engine revs up while the vehicle is in Drive or Reverse...but the vehicle will not go foward or reverse...than...the transmission is most likely the issue. Key on engine off. When you shift into drive or reverse...look at the dash...does the trans. Indicater read...D.....or...R appropiately?
The engine revs fine and for a while after it happened it would even move forward or reverse at higher rpms and make no sounds like anything was wrong. Now it doesn't move at all in any gear no matter what. And the indicator on the dash says the same as the one by the shifter itself.
Ok....based on the info you provided above...it appears you have a transmission issue. It would be helpful to know if there are any codes stored in the computers on this vehicle. Some auto parts stores will allow you to borrow...rent ...a scan tool. Im afraid you will have to have this issue evaluated at the a repair shop. Good luck.
Caleb.....did you ever resolve the issue with this vehicle?
Caleb. What it seems from what ive read. It seems like your transmissions positioning sensor might be bad, bad harnest wires, and or bad transmission positioning sensor that is located and connencted right next to and right on the transmission. It might also be just out of place and or the shifting wire inside of the tranny may of just of gotten loose inside or out of place. Probably just needs an adjustment. But make sure to have it checked out by a good mechanic that knows what hes doing, cause if he doesnt know what nor how to install the TMS(Trasnmission positioning sensor) back to the correct way how it was before and he if he looses track of where, and what gear your car was in before he removed it. Its a giant, frustruating, upsetig and a big ass pain in the ass that it also takes some time and a good while to be able to get it back correctly to the right position spot and in the correct gear position that it was previously before. The picture below is what your Transmission Positioning Sensor should look like or something that looks alike. Have it checked out and tested and if you can and want. Check all the other sensors that are connected to your transmission and or if you can want. replace them or clean them if good.
Heres to give you an idea where its placed and where and what to look for.