1994 Toyota Corolla Not shifting

dexter727 · Posted at Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:44 am

Transmission problem
1994 Toyota Corolla 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 160000 miles

I was wondering if there is anything that I can do to possibly fix this problem

I have to allow my car to warm up, before it will shift into overdrive. If i do not it stays stuck in 3rd gear and will not shift untill it is warmed. The moment the gauge on the coolant temperature rises above the very bottom line it will shift.

Also, along the lines of the coolant temperature gauge, if I am driving and the gauge goes below the bottom line, my transmission will not go into the more fuel efficient overdrive, or will shift out of it if I had been in that gear at the time.

I don't really know a whole lot about cars, so i apologize if my vocabulary is off.

Thank you

mmprince4000 · Posted at Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:53 am

You probably need a new thermostat.

Many transmissions will not shift into OD untill the engine is in "closed loop", in other words, the engine is at operating temp, usually 195 degrees.

A bad thermostat will not allow it to get to operating temp.

dexter727 · Posted at Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:15 pm

How much would it generally cost to have a new thermostat put in?
Or is it something that can be fixed very easily?

mmprince4000 · Posted at Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:58 am

Never use the "easy" word Smile

.

You drain about a gallon of coolant, remove thermostat housing, and thermostat, replace thermostat and seal, bolt housing back on.

Use a Toyota brand part and make sure "bleeder" in thermostat housing is pointing at 11:00.