Camry Automatic Transmission Problems

Alright, I'm pulling my hair out here! My 2009 Toyota Camry with a gasoline engine is acting possessed. It's got 91189 km on the clock, and the automatic transmission is throwing a total hissy fit. We're talking implausible shifting behavior – it's like it can't decide what gear it wants to be in. The transmission indicator light is mocking me from the dash. And to top it all off, sometimes it just refuses to shift properly, or worse, throws itself into emergency mode. Could this be worn out transmission oil? I've been reading about undervoltage causing similar issues in other cars and I am not sure if this is the problem too. Anyone else wrestling with similar transmission problems?

4 comment(s)

I have a Toyota Camry myself. I had similar issues with my automatic gearbox. The transmission performance was terrible, and it kept going into what felt like a limp mode. Did you happen to check the transmission fluid level and condition before jumping to conclusions about undervoltage? A simple transmission flush might be all you need, but I highly recommend getting a diagnostic scan to pinpoint the exact cause before you start replacing parts.

Good point about checking the fluid, I will do that. But when you say similar issues, are we talking about the exact same crazy shifting and emergency mode? And if so, did the transmission flush actually fix it, or was there more to it than that? I'm trying to avoid unnecessary expenses!

Yes, the symptoms you described match what I experienced almost exactly: the erratic shifting, the 'limp mode', everything. In my case, the transmission flush did provide temporary relief, but the underlying issue was indeed worn-out transmission oil and some related sensor malfunctions, likely due to undervoltage as you suspect. Considering the complexity of automatic gearboxes, I would advise against trying to fix this yourself unless you have extensive experience. A visit to a reputable workshop is probably your best bet to avoid further damage.

Okay, I hear you loud and clear. Thanks for confirming it sounds like the same mess you went through! Ended up taking it to the shop, and you were spot on. Turns out, after a diagnostic and a bit of poking around, it was indeed the worn-out transmission oil and some sensor weirdness likely caused by undervoltage. A full transmission flush and sensor replacement set me back 240€, but the car is shifting smoothly again. Thanks a lot for the advice!

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