Transmission not engaging issue

Tiny
SERIO
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
Hey there,

My car does not engage in drive once I start it in the morning the car will not even move no matter what the rpm is. The car would reverse if put in R.

To get it to move I have to wait few minutes until the car warms up. The car has check engine light I scanned it and it showed u0101 lost communication with TCM.

The car has no transmission dipstick, so I have no idea if the fluid is low or burnt.
Sunday, August 20th, 2017 AT 8:39 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
BILLTHIB
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I am no Mr. Goodwrench, and assuming your car has an automatic transmission your Camry has to have a transmission dipstick. I have an 2008 Camry, and the dipstick has a black handle and is to the right side of the engine bay with the hood open.
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Sunday, August 20th, 2017 AT 8:48 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,320 POSTS
If the transmission is not leaking the fluid is probably fine. The lost communication issue is the problem we need to address.

There is an IGCT relay and several fuses that can go out causing the system to lose power which would produce the problem.

Here is a guide that will help with that:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Please run some tests and get back to us so we can keep helping you.

Cheers, Ken

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Monday, August 21st, 2017 AT 11:53 AM
Tiny
SERIO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for the help. I took a look at the fuses earlier and they looked fine. I will check on the relays and let you know.
Thank you!
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Monday, August 21st, 2017 AT 7:01 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,320 POSTS
Please let us know what happens so it will help others.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017 AT 10:38 AM
Tiny
SERIO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I checked all the fuses and relays and everything was fine.
I read more about the code online and suggestion were to check the wires, all the wires look like new.
Not sure what to do next.
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Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017 AT 7:49 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,320 POSTS
I would disconnect the main connectors and look for corrosion. If all looks okay I sounds like the PCM is out and needs to be replaced.

Please let us know what happens so it will help others.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, August 23rd, 2017 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
SERIO
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hello, I unplugged the ECM and TCM connectors sprayed them and checked them, they look like new. And the problem is still there.

Also, I took the car to a local transmission shop yesterday and they said its a problem with the hydrolic system in the tranny and it needs to be replaced.

I did not agree and took the car back home because after had little discussion with the the mechanic, I knew he was talking out of assumptions only, he did not use any codes or internal inspection,
So I wanted to fix the electronic issue before thinking about getting the whole tranny replaced, also, the transmission works really nice once it engages.

Now I am working on replacing the TCM and hoping something would work out.
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Thursday, August 24th, 2017 AT 12:27 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,320 POSTS
Yep, that's what I would do next. Let us know
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Friday, August 25th, 2017 AT 11:58 AM

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