Non tacoma related. 94 camry tranny

[sportsman1539]

I figured I could ask this question on a forum I'm already a member of instead of joining a Camry forum. Its a very general question that could apply to any vehicle. I have a 94 automatic Camry that has been sitting for almost a year. I jumped it off and it started immediately. Only problem is when I shift it in drive or reverse, it never engages. The shifter moves but it never engages. Prior to it sitting for a year I never had any transmission issues. I checked the fluid and I didn't see any on the dipstick. I was on a slight incline so that could be part of the problem. If in fact it is out of fluid, should filling it up fix this problem? Btw the shifter cable appears to be working properly

[blackedout_taco_stidham]

Originally Posted by sportsman1539

I figured I could ask this question on a forum I'm already a member of instead of joining a Camry forum. Its a very general question that could apply to any vehicle. I have a 94 automatic Camry that has been sitting for almost a year. I jumped it off and it started immediately. Only problem is when I shift it in drive or reverse, it never engages. The shifter moves but it never engages. Prior to it sitting for a year I never had any transmission issues. I checked the fluid and I didn't see any on the dipstick. I was on a slight incline so that could be part of the problem. If in fact it is out of fluid, should filling it up fix this problem? Btw the shifter cable appears to be working properly

i say get the car level (as much as possible). Check the fluid level again, if its not right, then add until it is right. Sounds like a simple fix to me since you said there wasnt any on the dipstick.

Remember when adding fluid to the tranny, transmission fluid EXPANDS when it gets hot, so be careful not to over fill it. There should be two marks on your dipstick, one for cold reading and one for hot reading. Fill to the corresponding fluid level. I recommend leaving the car off and letting it cool, then fill it to the cold reading line. Then start the car and let the engine get to operating temps, then check the fluid again WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. Checking the fluid while its running will get you the most accurate transmission fluid level reading.

I hope this helps and you dont have a serious tranny problem, looks like you might have a leak, so remember to keep an eye on it.

[sportsman1539]

Cool man! Thanks for the reply. It won't even engage in neutral so I can't get it off of the incline. So I'm thinking of draining it, adding 2 quarts of fluid(recommends 3.5) hoping it engages so I can get it on flat ground, and topping it off

[blackedout_taco_stidham]

Originally Posted by sportsman1539

Cool man! Thanks for the reply. It won't even engage in neutral so I can't get it off of the incline. So I'm thinking of draining it, adding 2 quarts of fluid(recommends 3.5) hoping it engages so I can get it on flat ground, and topping it off

If the manual says It holds 3.5 quarts then id put 3.5 in it, you dont want to starve an automatic especially. Heat means death for autos, and fluid helps dissipate that heat.

[sportsman1539]

Put transmission fluid in it and it ran great! Moderators feel free to delete this non Tacoma related thread. Thanks!

[blackedout_taco_stidham]

Originally Posted by sportsman1539

Put transmission fluid in it and it ran great! Moderators feel free to delete this non Tacoma related thread. Thanks!

glad the fluid is all it needed...man i hate automatics...

[sportsman1539]

Yea me too. My 5 speed 96 taco has 240,000 miles on it and I have yet to touch the tranny fluid.