rzj90059

So the other day on the way home from dinner my car all of a sudden wouldnt go past 1st gear. It still went in reverse and drive but the rpm would rise higher than the speed. So immediately turned to a transmission fluid and filter change. When I removed the pan I noticed a piece of metal on the pan. I was told that it might or might not be a part of the gear part (sorry im not mechanic savvy). So after removing my pitch black ATF, I decided not to replace the ATF(Automatic Tranny Fluid). Can anyone point me in a direction of reference or tell me what might be wrong. Thanks

Here are pictures of the piece of metal

draco

I'm not sure (as I have a 3rd Gen) but isn't that one of the 3 magnets that use would use to pick up any loose filings? There's normally 3 of them. Anything in the FSM?

rzj90059

Im not sure what FSM is, but yes there are three magnets on the oil pan itself. They are flat and were full of loose filling, so no this is not a magnet. I try putting it close to a metal surface, and no it did not stick.

SHould I just throw in the new oil and filter and see what happens, or get it checked out?

GrayES300

If your pan has never been removed before, that might be a plug that is pushed into the pan during the manufacturing process. That would be a long time without dropping the pan though. I read about it somewhere, but I cannot find the site again. Changing the fluid does not sound like it will fix your problem. If you are losing an entire gear range, it sounds like something major is wrong. If your trans fluid smelled burnt, it is a sign of mechanical failure. You can try changing it, but more than likely you are going to need a professional's help. If you have a lot of patience, you can go to toyo diy website and try to find the piece in your pan in the parts diagrams.

FSM is factory service manual

tromly

Good luck man, what's with the pitch black ATF ??

rzj90059

the car Worked fine after the ATF change. As for the pitch balck ATF, well it's my first car

3000

Don't worry about that thing, I had it in my pan too. Anyways, if the tranny is smooth now, it was time for a fluid change.

ILoveMommy

i think i have this problem as well. same year and model. all the sudden the low gears started to act as if they were not engaging. i initially thought it might be the torque converter. my father, who gave me the car, said that he thinks i might need to change or clean the transmission filter. because once the car is warmed up, all gears engage right away as they should.

so are you saying that you changed the fluid and the filter and all is well now?

llcoolpass

theres a tsb heres the conclusion:

A-40 series automatic transmissions may shift harshly because rubber check ***** become smaller, blow through the plate, and get dislodged. (1992-96)


Now, that and your trans is old may have not been maintained well and such could be the problem. do you have CEL? code for coolant temp can affect trans, youd be surprised the things that happen.

EDIT:
that little metal things look so familiar. i had to think about this over night. is that part of a speed sensor or some sort of other sensor? your pics are very blurry. too cloes. stand backa little more, and just crop later ...

~ good luck ~