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Toyota Avalon (Prior to 2005) Transmission Questions

104 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2011 at 2:13 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Avalon, Transmission, Sedan

Messages Page 7 of 11

#55 of 104 2003 Avalon XLS Check Engine Light after Transmission Fluid Change by bettesue

Mar 18, 2007 (6:14 am)

Two questions:
 
(1) At 63,000 miles I changed the transmission filter and fluid. Unfortunately, the check engine light and VSC lights came on with an error code of P2735, Pressure control solenoid Electrical (if I remember correctly). Toyota Dealer couldn't find anything wrong just using the scanner. Would have to charge to drop transmission pan to view - be prepared to replace a valve at a cost of $166 + 2 hours labor. Car runs great; no burning smell in fluid; proper fluid levels.
 
(2) One neighbor, a former Toyota mechanic, recommended I buy the service manuals since I plan to keep my car for 200,000+ miles. Should have asked which one(s). Recommendations?

#56 of 104 Re: 2003 Avalon XLS Check Engine Light after Transmission Fluid Change [bettesue] by abfisch

Mar 28, 2007 (8:55 am)

Replying to: bettesue (Mar 18, 2007 6:14 am)
I have the speficif service manuals (toyota) for my 02. I usually buy them for every vehicle I own, as I also usually keep them for over 200K. The Avalon is a 2 volume set, although now I am sure it is avail on CD-ROM. I always find the service manauals handy, enabling me to either do it myself, or at least talk the talk to the service manageer or whoever. I remembe them being around $200 for the set. There is a Haynes manual but more generic. Not of them are totally comprehensive, but I always seem to get my money's worth from them. Some of the pages are dirty and greasy, indicating they were used well.
 
I have change my ATF three times, twice with a filter. I only have an XL, but no error codes ever came on anywhere.
 
abfisch

#57 of 104 Re: 2003 Avalon XLS Check Engine Light after Transmission Fluid Change [bettesue] by wwest

Mar 28, 2007 (10:10 am)

Replying to: bettesue (Mar 18, 2007 6:14 am)
I would first try disconnecting and reconnect, reseat, the external electrical connector to those transaxle solenoids.

#58 of 104 Re: 2003 Avalon XLS Check Engine Light after Transmission Fluid Change [abfisch] by bettesue

Mar 31, 2007 (11:36 am)

Replying to: abfisch (Mar 28, 2007 8:55 am)
Thank you.

#59 of 104 Third replacement transmission on 99 Avalon by carabed

Apr 15, 2007 (8:45 am)

My wife's 1999 Avalon XL has had all transmission servicing recommended by Toyota dealer and our dependable local mechanic. We replaced the transmission for the FIRST time at 69k miles with a Toyota rebuilt transmission. Ten months later at 79k a SECOND Toyota rebuilt transmission was installed because of rough, jarring shifts and unusual grinding. It did not work properly (same problems) and after 300 miles was replaced with a THIRD Toyota rebuilt tran. We've only had it one day but the problem still seems to be there The local dealer has been interacting with Toyota engineers to solve the problem but "Toyota transmission problems are so uncommon that they don't have a solution yet."
Any suggestions on how we might get the company to really help fix this problem? Or, is this a lost cause?
Fessor

#60 of 104 Re: Third replacement transmission on 99 Avalon [carabed] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Apr 15, 2007 (8:51 am)

Replying to: carabed (Apr 15, 2007 8:45 am)
Well you might try having the dealer install the next toyota rebuilt transmission. Being both out of warranty and having the work done by an independent mechanic weakens your link to factory assistance two-fold I think.
 
Something isn't right here---either the installation is wrong, or the source of the "rebuilts" is dubious.
 
If you can swing it, wipe the slate clean....ask for a rebuilt from Toyota (not yours rebuilt by a local subcontractor of the dealer) and have the dealer install it. That way, you get the unit's warranty and the dealer's labor warranty.
 
They are either building it wrong or installing it wrong.

#61 of 104 Re: Third replacement transmission on 99 Avalon [Mr_Shiftright] by carabed

Apr 15, 2007 (10:42 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 15, 2007 8:51 am)
Thanks for the suggestion but I'm sorry if I wasn't clear. All of the rebuilt transmissions were Toyota rebuilts installed by the dealer and the second and third were under warranty. On the last one they got the Toyota company engineers involved. One possibility is that the company that rebuilds the transmissions may be installing an incorrect gasket, but we don't yet know whether that is true or not. Fessor.

#62 of 104 Re: Third replacement transmission on 99 Avalon [carabed] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Apr 15, 2007 (3:36 pm)

Replying to: carabed (Apr 15, 2007 10:42 am)
Very bizarre set of circumstances, to be sure. I wonder if they can order you a brand new one?

#63 of 104 2002 Avalon Low Miles Dark Transmission Fluid by xomaman

Jul 08, 2007 (12:39 pm)

Hi All,
 
I have 2002 Avalon with about 22,000 miles on it. I have owned it since it had about 3,000 miles, for about 3 years. I never beat on it or drive it in severe conditions.
 
I have regularly changed the oil and checked the transmission fluid level. This time I checked the transmission fluid level I noticed it was brown. I don't remember seeing it dark before, and I know I have checked it. I know it is supposed to be red, unless Toyota uses some sort of dark OEM fluid.
 
So I had the tranny flushed and replaced with new Dextron III fluid. The manual and dipstick says use Dextron II or III for this year.
 
I was wondering if anyone knew what might have caused the dark fluid with such low miles. I know high mileage cars that have never had the transmission fluid changed could have this problem, but I have never seen it happen on such a low mileage car.
 
The car runs like a top, has never had any shifting or transmission slipping. That's another thing that confuses me, but I never push the car either.
 
Thanks -Xman

#64 of 104 Re: 2002 Avalon Low Miles Dark Transmission Fluid [xomaman] by wwest

Jul 09, 2007 (5:51 am)

Replying to: xomaman (Jul 08, 2007 12:39 pm)
Your 2002 likely does not have DBW to "protect the drive train" so the ATF is overheating due to the transaxle's slow response in fully engaging the downshift clutches when you quickly go from a lift-throttle condition to one requiring a substantial level of acceleration.
 
Some might advise you to install an auxillary ATF cooler and I would agree that it might help. My reluctance is based on the fact that my 2001 RX300 has the factory auxilary cooler and yet my ATF was BURNED (absolutely NO towing nor rough service) at only 40,000 miles. Then again the RX is much heavier....

Messages Page 7 of 11

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