When the transmission is shifted into drive or reverse the car does not Move?

Tiny
JOE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 181,000 MILES
When I put the shift lever into drive or reverse the car will not go forward or backward. I thought it was low in fluid I put a 1/2 quart of fluid in and it still won't go, why? The transmission was working okay the same day but I started the car the next day that when it wouldn't go forward or backward.
Friday, December 6th, 2024 AT 7:01 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,114 POSTS
Hi,

Is the fluid now full with what you added? Also, are there any odd sounds from the transmission or engine compartment areas?

Do me a favor. First, place the transmission in neutral (engine off) and see if the vehicle can be moved. If it can, place it in park (engine off) and see if it locks in place.

I'm suggesting this to see if there could be a damaged CV axle.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, December 6th, 2024 AT 8:29 PM
Tiny
JOE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 693 POSTS
I believe the fluid level is full I can't clearly see the fluid on the dipstick. When I place the transmission naturally the vehicle will move and when I put it in park the vehicle won't move.
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Saturday, December 7th, 2024 AT 5:50 AM
Tiny
JOE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 693 POSTS
I believe the fluid level is full, I can't clearly see the fluid on the dipstick. When I place the transmission in neutral the vehicle will move and when I put it in park the vehicle won't move.
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Saturday, December 7th, 2024 AT 2:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,114 POSTS
Hi,

Okay, if you can't move it in park but can in neutral, that eliminates the idea of a broken axle or shift linkage.

I am attaching the directions for testing the fluid. This is from my manual, so it is accurate. If you have already checked it this way, let me know. Also, let me know if you are able to get your hands on a scanner that can read all the codes.

Here is a link explaining how to scan for all codes, including the transmission:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

One other question. Let me know if there was any indication of a problem before this happened.

Take care,

Joe

See the pictures below. Note that when you are actually checking the fluid, the engine should be running and the transmission in park.
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Saturday, December 7th, 2024 AT 9:04 PM
Tiny
JOE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 693 POSTS
When I put the shift lever in park it shows P in dash. When I put shift lever in reverse it shows R in dash. When I put the shift lever in neutral it shows N in dash the RPMs drop. To me it sounds like the shift lever in drive because the engine RPMs drop when I put the shift lever in neutral. When I put shift level in drive it doesn't show D in the dash and the RPM doesn't change. When I put the shift lever in D it shows D in the dash and the RPMs stays the same. When I put the shift lever in L it shows L in the dash but the engine sounds like it is still in neutral. I rechecked the fluid level while engine running I had already did that I didn't see any fluid on the dipstick. Why is the fluid so hard to see on the dipstick? I scan for transmission codes no codes. The scan tool I use is Actron CP9135 and INNOVA 3040 will this scan tool tell me anything about the transmission? How much transmission fluid should I add? I add half of a quart. The transmission was working okay during the day because I moved the car and the next day I started the car up and put the shift lever in reverse. The car wouldn't move so I put into all the other still would move so that what happen.
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Sunday, December 8th, 2024 AT 11:40 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,615 POSTS
It sounds like the transmission is low on fluid, I would start with a 1/2 quart of fluid and keep adding until you see it on the dipstick, also keep an eye out for leaks while you are filling it. Let us know what happens.
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Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
JOE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 693 POSTS
I drained the old fluid from the pan. How many quarts do I need to add after draining the pan?
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Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 AT 10:07 AM
Tiny
JOE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 693 POSTS
Do the fluid level suppose to be on cool mark when engine cold and rise up to hot mark when engine hot?
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Wednesday, December 11th, 2024 AT 12:53 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 51,615 POSTS
I would start with three quarts, and yes, the fluid level cold is for when the engine is cold.
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Thursday, December 12th, 2024 AT 12:24 PM
Tiny
JOE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 693 POSTS
The transmission is shifting okay. What causes the top Radiator hose to collapse? And what does code p0172 mean?
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Thursday, December 12th, 2024 AT 3:45 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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So the problem has the transmission was low on fluid?
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Friday, December 13th, 2024 AT 12:22 PM
Tiny
JOE1953
  • MEMBER
  • 693 POSTS
Yes the fluid level was low. I filled it up to the right level and the transmission is working good now. I believe the transmission seal is leaking.
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Sunday, December 15th, 2024 AT 4:50 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 51,615 POSTS
Thanks for letting us know, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Sunday, December 15th, 2024 AT 10:51 AM

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