Automatic Transmission Problems

[So_Powerful]

I couldn't find any posts related to my problem. Bear with me the car I am talking about is a little 1990 Tercel Hatchback. It's not 4wd but I am really desperate to figure out what is wrong with it. Here's what happened. My wife was driving along in it and suddenly the car began jerking. I've since tried replacing the filter and gasket and changing the tranny fluid and it continues to do the same thing. I have a spare transmission for the car but I really don't want to do all that work until it is my last possible option. Before my wife had the problem I had changed the tranny fluid a week or so prior. The manual calls for Dextron II but there is only Dextron 4 now. I'm not sure if I filled the fluid up to the proper level upon reflection. I believe I've since filled the tranny again a little too full and blew the gasket on the bottom plate. I believe the problem there was I overfilled the tranny and I didn't clean the gasket area surfaces well enough. So for round two I'm going to try and put a new filter and gasket on and the proper level of tranny fluid. If that fails I hope someone knows what is going on. Also the same time I changed the tranny oil I replaced the halfshafts, lower ball joints and bearings. Look forward to viewing replies.

[xirdneh]

I cannot say much about what may or may not be wrong with your tranny .
I do not know if your tranny has a drain plug?
most trannys do not so once you add too much fluid it's kind of hard to get the excess out.
something i learned along the way is to siphon the excess fluid out by running a long small diameter hose down the dip stick tube.
once you get it flowing it will take quite a while to get any quantity out as the flow is quite slow (sometimes just a drip,drip,drip) but over nite should produce a gallon or two.
my limited experience with auto trannys is that they start going bad and keep going that way. all you can do is check the adjustment of the linkage (per FSM) and keep the fluid level where its supposed to be. not much else can be done.

[Petros]

it does not sound like it is a fluid issue to me, the Dex4 should work fine. Make sure the fluid is at the right level (some cars you have to check it at idle, some engine off, some in drive, make sure you check it the correct way). On older trans when you change fluid sometimes you work loose a lot of old worn clutch material sludge and other crap off the bottom when you change fluid, it than can clog up the valve assembly. the valve assembly is what allows it to shift at the right speed. I would try putting in some trans additive that is designed for freeing up the valve assembly, there are several brands. My daughter's CRX with an auto trans with 225k miles on it developed very delayed shifting when cold after I changed the fluid, the additive did the trick and it works perfectly now.

Make sure it is just a compound for freeing up the valve assembly, some also have "seal conditioners" or stop leaks in them. Unless you have leaky seals I would not use these since they soften the seals, and will shorten their life if your seals are good (if they are leaky than you might as well use the seal conditioner as well). So just get the additive that is for removing gum and sludge from the valve body only. IT is inexpensive and worth trying since it may work. Even draining and replacing the oil after you clean flush it is worth a try.

If that does not do it, likely your trans is shot. Though I have noticed, unlike the Chrysler and Ford trannys, the Japan made trannys are pretty reliable and very long lived. So try flushing it with the additive and see if we can clean out the valve assembly.

[takza]

I'd put Mobil 1 synth ATF in it along with a bottle of Lubegard trans additive....found at NAPA.

Check out the testimonials...by trans pros?

http://www.lubegard.com/C-110/Transmission

And the fluid you use makes a difference...

[splatterdog]

Any material in the pan or on the magnetic drain plug(if equiped)? Maybe inspect the inside of the old filter. Was the old fluid cooked? How many miles does the trans have? All gears jerk or just one? Check linkage adjustment.

I would be shocked if there wasn't a drain plug on your trans. The Asian's put drain plugs on almost everything!

Cleanliness is just as important as putting fluid back in when working on auto's. Pay close attention to position of parts,gaskets,o-rings.etc. Lube O-rings with atf before assembly.

If it occurs mainly in high gear and at just the right throttle it might even just need a tune up.

[So_Powerful]

Yes there is a drain plug, no the fluid was not cooked, yes it jerks in a gears. tranny has approximately 78,000km.

[splatterdog]

How about reverse?

[So_Powerful]

yep reverse also.

[splatterdog]

Have you looked at the FSM? It says a shudder could be shift linkage,throttle linkage,faulty valve body,faulty trans. The first two being easy to check. The other two, not so much.

Are you absolutely sure you don't have an engine missfire under load?

[So_Powerful]

I don't know what an engine missfire under load is but I do know that the engine is running fine.

[takza]

Some say that if you change the fluid in an older trans you stand the chance of causing problems due to loosening up grit and gum...possibly plugging passages or sticking a valve.

I'd adjust the linkages by the book...change out the filter and pan gasket and put in the Mobil 1 plus the Lubegard...you might squeak by...won't cost all that much.

I have limited experience with autos...but I can say that the fluid you use and the Lubegard add can make a difference in how a trans acts.

If you take it in...have them save the trans fluid to put back in.

Missfire under load could be it too...carb or ignit?

[So_Powerful]

I have finally got around to fixing this car and found out what the problem is. MAKE SURE YOUR DRIVESHAFT IS INSERTED FULLY INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL. Mine had not clipped in and fell out. It had sheared off the quarter inch of metal at the end of the driveshaft (from the clip ring to the end of the shaft) That metal piece fell into the differential. I had to pull off a cover that was bolted on the back of the differential to find the metal piece. I didn't want it to cause problems later on. Anyways the syptoms that I had to work with before I figured out what was going on were : 1. Car wouldn't move when put into gear. 2. Fluid leaked out of transmission when filled (leaked out where the driveshaft goes in. So if anyone has these problems with your car check if your driveshaft fell out. I had a spare transmission I was going to put in but this is a lot easier to deal with now.

[ARCHINSTL]

This ALMOST happened with mine. See https://tercel4wd.com/forums/viewtopic.php? ... hilit=seal
Scary...
Tom M.

[So_Powerful]

Ok people I'm very frusterated with my 1990 Toyota Tercel Auto Hatchback. The alternator went on it and soon thereafter began having transmission problems again (like the halfshaft had fallen out again or something). I need to pull it all apart again and figure out what is going on and then try and sell the darn thing as fast as I can. If anyone is looking at buying one of these Tercels (3E carburated engine) don't. They are way too much trouble. Alternators failing, transmission problems, exhaust leaks, rust. I find that the 1983-1987 wagons that we love are way better than these so-called improved models. The really sad thing is the car has only 83,000 kms on it and it is causing so much grief. I can't say how the manual tranny's fair but my neighbor has a 1987 3E model and he has had some carburator issues.