Hoping someone has had this issue before and it's something simple, like a gasket. Right now, all I really can afford is a gasket. 89 Camry 4 cyl auto with 248k miles, which has been a reliable friend of the family with a few idiosyncrasies but nothing we can't live with. Never any transmission issues except a slight reluctance to go into gear at initial startup, something it's been doing for over 100,000 miles and which has never gotten any better or worse.....one of those idiosyncrasies we just lived with. Then suddenly, about 7 miles into my 30 mile commute home, the car started slowing down and the engine sped up. Not a complete disconnect, not right away, but more of a slippage. Managed to make it to an off ramp and was still able to crawl along up to the stop sign but when the traffic cleared, nothing. No gears forward, none reverse. Got the car towed to a gas station near my job and left it there for the weekend. Just before I left, with the engine cold again, I started the engine and put it in gear, and it hooked up fine. Pulled forward and back a few times and then it started slipping again. They said they would look at it Monday but I'm wondering if there's anything I could check in the meantime? They're a good shop but busy, and they told me to feel free to tinker with the car until they can get to it. The fluid level was fine, checked it right there at the roadside, but other than that don't have a clue. It's the electronic transmission, and tried all combinations of the Power/Normal mode and OD on/off mode buttons, none of which made any difference. Did a lot of mechanical work back in the RWD/Carburator days but the newer stuff is a mystery to me. I'm off Monday and can look at the car any time between now and that afternoon. Any advice/tips? Can't afford a big repair bill or a new car right now and would be much obliged for any help. Thanks. -Mike from NY state
Jan 11, 2015 at 2:08 AM
