Advice on Transmission problem - No Reverse Options

[warthog1]

So I just bought my 2nd Celica. It's a convertible and I got if for a song. But... It won't go backwards.

It's a '95 with the 2.2 and an A140E transmission.

It drives forward just fine, slips through all 4 gears as expected, power seems to go to the wheels just fine. But when I put it in reverse, I hear the RPMs dip just a little, but no backwards movement. When I put the front end on jackstands both wheels will start spinning when it goes into reverse, but when it's on the ground, no real power is transmitted to the engine. It almost seems like the torque converter is working fine in forward, but not in reverse. I've checked the fluid levels and the transmission fluid is a little high (at the full mark even when cold) and the differential fluid is just under the threads of the fill plug.

Now on the way home today, the check engine light went on and I did a Google search to figure out the error codes. I followed the procedure to diagnose the check engine light by shorting the E1 and TE1 terminals. The check engine light indicated a code 71 (EGR system). So fine, I'll deal with that. But I also noticed the O/D light blinking at me. So I did some research and the O/D light was giving a code 63. Front what I've researched this indicates a problem with transmission solenoid #2. Now replacing a solenoid sounds much easier than replacing a transmission, so I'm hopeful. But at the same time, I would think that if this solenoid was bad, I would have more problems than just the Reverse gear.

I would love to get any ideas, comments, etc. Am I on the right path?

This post has been edited by warthog1: Oct 22, 2011 - 12:19 AM

[Spider77]

I feel your pain when it comes to the A140E....but here is something that might help you out.



All that was taken from this....TurboNinjas A140E Service Manual

[warthog1]

Just to close out this problem, I did the following and the transmission regained reverse:

Dropped the transmission pan and replaced the transmission filter, cleaned out the pan. There was some fine metal shavings, but not much and nothing major indicating anything had gone boom. While I had the pan dropped, I tested both transmission solenoids by applying 12 volts to their terminals and found that both seemed to be "clicking" normally. Closed up the transmission and refilled with transmission fluid and a bottle of Trans-X treatment.

So I drove it for about another week, still no reverse. Making sure to park in an uphill angle when available. So I then changed the spark plugs and wires as part of a regular attempt at tuning up the car (the EGR thing was just a hose fallen off). When I went to test drive with the new spark plugs,low and behold, reverse engaged and worked!

So my only conclusion is that maybe there was some plugged valve or something in the tranny and the new fluid/filter/Trans-X somehow cleared the blockage. I've heard that transmission fluid has detergents in it, so maybe the new fluid cleared the sludge that was a problem, who knows, but I'm happy to have reverse.