yact: major trouble

[trez2k3]

well today my 86 toyota cressida decided it didnt wanna go into reverse anymore... anyway i checked the atf fluid and it was about normal but dark i seriously doubt this is the problem. Also I noticed when it is in park it idles at 600 and has a limit at 2k which is the reverse limit im pretty sure. So basically this car isnt worth getting major trans. work done. I was looking in the paper and there are a LOT of 86-90 camrys and corollas for 800-1500 would buying one of these be a good idea?? also could i get anything for the cressida with a bad tranny?

 

[Ornery]

You should at least check a couple transmission shops first. Maybe it's just linkage or a valve or something. If it is shot, it may be better to get another, maybe not. How many miles on it and what does the rest of it look like? If rebuilding an engine or tranny is the deciding factor in whether you keep a car or not, it may be better to get one with fewer miles.

 

[toph99]

dark fluid means a lot of the friction material on the clutches has worn out, have you lost any other gears? i don't know about toyotas but afaik reverse and second gear share the same drum and some of the same clutches. Does the fluid smell burnt?

 

[trez2k3]

It smells alittle burnt but it doesnt stand out at you or anything, it drives fine as far as i could tell.

 

[Quixfire]

Overheating causes dark or burnt fluid. Most like the transmission and internal wear, which is allowing slippage in the clutch packs, hence the fluid gets to hot. You could try changing the fluid, but most likely will not fix your problem. Most independent transmission shops will try and sell your a reman or rebuilt trans because of the fluid. I would recommend a dealership or trusted Toyota garage.

As for your second question, most Toyotas are very reliable, so a Camry or Corolla should be a decent car.

 

[trez2k3]

Ok I was messing with it this morning and every gear besides P and R is rolls forward like drive (no neutral) also in P and R it only revs to 2000 any ideas if this means the transmission is shot? Also any idea how much it would cost to get fixed? Im probably going to try and take it tommorow to get looked at.

 

[Quixfire]

Two things may have happen here, first the transmission linkage is broken or the drive gear is broken. Either way unless you know what you are doing you better have a mechanic that knows these cars look at it.