auto transmission problem

bongcaasi · 07-06-2015, 09:27 AM

i bought this totota estima aeras last may 10 2015 and last week im having a problem on gearbox, every morning it wont move on drive mode but reverse mode has no problem. But on drive mode if i pump the accelerator to 3k rpm it will move and it will be back to normal.
I tried to contact my dealer but he always off his phone.
Any help please

jmbf · 07-06-2015, 09:48 AM

Any warning lights on the dashboard? How does it drive normally? Any hesitation / noises / difficulty changing between forward gears?

bongcaasi · 07-06-2015, 09:56 AM

No warning on dashboard
No hesitation
No noises
And no dificulty on shift
When it starts moving then it likes nothing's happens

flameproof · 07-06-2015, 10:05 AM

If it's just one month old then it's under warranty - bring it there. There is nothing even a technologically advanced person could do here without the Toyota soft- and hardware.

Skyhook · 07-06-2015, 11:39 AM

Automatic Transmissions are pretty complex pieces of kit. Way outside the ability range of your average garage.

The symptoms mentioned could be an indication of neglect, or a tired box ie very high mileage, or could be as simple as a blocked trans fluid filter.
If the fluid looks like it was recently replaced, it could also be the wrong type of trans fluid was used, ( this happens a lot ) which can also generate this type of behaviour.

If you want the box checked out by a specialist transmission workshop I do know of one that is properly trained ( trained in the USA and Germany) who will know how to diagnose without guessing their way through it . Let me know and I can pass on their workshop details in Sek Kong. It should be sorted out by them within a couple of days for something simple, to about a couple of weeks for a full trans reco/overhaul .

Avoid using clowns, because you will be without a vehicle for a number of weeks if you do..

The used dealer I doubt will be of much use and if they do get involved it will likely just be a cheap patch up job, or they will expect you to pay the parts cost, which could be quite expensive on something like a transmission repair, ie a Valve body = $12,000hkd upwards etc, and they'll pay labour, which is usually lower cost. Fingers crossed it isnt a buggered torque converter...The Warranty wont be worth the paper it's written on.

bongcaasi · 07-06-2015, 01:45 PM

please skyhook you may whatsapp me the add. 52421051,
how about if i try to change the oil first before going to transmission expert, is it wise?

flameproof · 07-06-2015, 01:57 PM

Seems it's a 2nd hand car, no warranty then....

You are aware that gearbox oil and motor oil isn't the same right? Before I would bring my car to any so called 'expert' in HK I would bring to Toyota. You know, they do repair too. They can at least have a look. Probably not free, but they are less likely to rip you off.

Once had my car in a garage for a minor thing, and they wanted me to change the break pads - which I did changed myself a few weeks earlier. So much to how much I trust them.

PS: Nowadays gearboxes have lots of electronic too. Problem doesn't have to be mechanic.

Enderman · 07-06-2015, 02:04 PM

If you have reverse gear and no forwards it's probably a valve body, i.e, your gearbox is fooked.

I had exactly the same problem on my LS400 a few years back...my mechanic quoted 7k to replace it with a recon. (probably just another from the wreckers)...to be honest, that's probably the easiest solution...expect to pay 20-30+ at Toyota.

Good luck!

Enderman · 07-06-2015, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Skyhook:

Automatic Transmissions are pretty complex pieces of kit. Way outside the ability range of your average garage.

The symptoms mentioned could be an indication of neglect, or a tired box ie very high mileage, or could be as simple as a blocked trans fluid filter.
If the fluid looks like it was recently replaced, it could also be the wrong type of trans fluid was used, ( this happens a lot ) which can also generate this type of behaviour.

If you want the box checked out by a specialist transmission workshop I do know of one that is properly trained ( trained in the USA and Germany) who will know how to diagnose without guessing their way through it . Let me know and I can pass on their workshop details in Sek Kong. It should be sorted out by them within a couple of days for something simple, to about a couple of weeks for a full trans reco/overhaul .

Avoid using clowns, because you will be without a vehicle for a number of weeks if you do..

The used dealer I doubt will be of much use and if they do get involved it will likely just be a cheap patch up job, or they will expect you to pay the parts cost, which could be quite expensive on something like a transmission repair, ie a Valve body = $12,000hkd upwards etc, and they'll pay labour, which is usually lower cost. Fingers crossed it isnt a buggered torque converter...The Warranty wont be worth the paper it's written on.

I think the valve body, his reverse gear is fine. I reckon you could drop a few k here and there putzing about or bite the bullet and drop a new (2nd hand) box in there...You know what they are like here, they'll try 85 different things that don't work and then you'll have to bit the big one anyway.