Help me out gurus

[car_junkie_moron]

Just a brief history about this car before i get to the preoblem. this is a toyota camry 4 cyl, 1999 model with 110,000 miles on it. Its been using mobile 1 synthetic 10W30 since it had 45,000 miles on it, First time I changed ATF when it has about 92000 miles on it. I refilled it with mobile 1 ATF with Dexron III macron II/III type fluid. I didn't changed filter though as i didn't dropped pan, I just disconnected on of the cooler line to drain out nasty stuff from there. Its been more than 15000 since then. Here comes the trouble, This morning i was driving this car about 50/MPH and all of a sudden my car lost power. the speedo meter just dropped to 30 MPH and my RPM went about 6000 as i had my leg on gas paddle. I had to stop the car and put it in park and when i put it back in drive and it ren fine. car wasn't hot enough as this happend right after about 5 minutes of drving. Any idea what could be wrong? gurus of machenics help me out with this.......

 

[Steve S]

eletrical?

[ September 15, 2003, 04:08 PM: Message edited by: Steve S ]

 

[car_junkie_moron]

I am not sure if its electrical or what but it more seem like a horse power lose as my car was still running 30 miles/hr and i was still able to race it but transmission didn't seem to produce enough troque and runs through shifts. well, it may be one of the transmission solenoid though as you said..... but not sure......

 

[unDummy]

Check your fluid level!
If OK. Then either it is electrical or a blown transmission. Make sure all connections are connected.
At 100k miles, filter inspection/replacement is a good idea since consistent maintenance didn't exist.

 

[car_junkie_moron]

Thanks much for your inputs and help guys. I appreciate that, I think i better replace ATF and filter ASAP as its time to do so regardless of problem anyways...... Once again appreciate your input and help......

 

[Ken4]

I think a scan tool might pick up some trouble codes for you.

 

[car_junkie_moron]

unDummy you were right my fluid level was low enough to produce slippage. My fluid level was about half then what was needed, filled it up and my my this car runs like just about a brand new car from car lot..... Thanks a lot guys......

to unDummy

 

[car_junkie_moron]

ah!!! one more question.... I am not sure how come transmission fluid level went down? there is no leak i can see. So i tend to think that when i pumped out my ATF through one of the cooler line and when i refilled it i am sure i didn't poured in enough fluid. Now the dipstick said its ehough fluid but that was not the case it seems like. I am scratching my head with two questions, Q.1 how much harm would this have cost to my tranny as i have drove almost over 12000 miles

(not sure if these all miles are with half tranny or not though. but i suspect so) Q.2 If that was the case then my dipstick showed me wrong information or i don't know that proper way to refill transmission. what would be the proper way to refill the tranny????

help please

 

[Kestas]

Make sure you're checking the fluid properly. Three things need to be first done to properly check the fluid.

1. Fluid must be warmed up. Not engine warm like when you run the car for a couple of miles, but after a good 10 mile run.

2. Park the car on a level surface.

3. Go through all the gears of the transmission, stopping momentarily at each detent, stopping at park or neutral.

Now you can check the dipstick.

If you still think you're losing fluid, check the vacuum line from the transmission modulator. It should be dry. If it's wet, you've found your problem. There's a leak in the diaphragm and the modulator should be replaced.

Another tip... It's sometimes good practice to measure the fluid you've drained out, so you know how much to put back in. This only works if you do a clean job with the transmission fluid, which as anybody knows can be quite difficult.