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Shifting Issues?

Tiny
DC CRENSHAW
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • 100,000 MILES
I guess I need to give full details in order for you to give a better diagnosis, this will be long but here I go, Last year my apts had my car towed and tow truck towed it front the back and I had parking brake in and it was in park, which threw off my timing. Which I was unaware of at the time. I kept trying to start it and it wouldn't start every time. So, I started replacing parts and here's the list of parts: fuel pump, injectors, crankshaft sensor, camshaft sensor, VSS sensor, fuel line, timing belt, throttle body, radiator, starter and alternator, battery. After replacing all the above, I was trying to start the vehicle and was still unaware of the timing issue, but I was trying to start and held it a little too long and I believe a valve broke and went into the next shaft. By this time, I was truly upset and frustrated, so I stopped working on the car for a few months, but then I went and bought another engine from the junkyard. So, when I pulled out old engine and transmission, I went ahead and replaced both cv axles, and wiring harness. Took apart old engine from transmission and replaced with new(used)one, dropped it back in car and then cv axles.(First time doing either). Once I got it all back together, it finally started right up. I was super stoked until I went to put it in gear and then nothing happened. Oh, almost forgot, when I started it up and tried to get it to go into gear it wouldn't at first and frustration got the better of me to where I yanked on it and forced it to come out of park. Nothing. So afterwards I assumed I snapped the shifter cable and ended up replaced it as well as the shifter. Tried starting it again and went to shift and still nothing. So I replaced the 2 shift solenoids and lock-up solenoid on valve body. Tried again after and still nothing. I then replaced valve body, still nothing. So now I'm at a stump as what it could be. I'm not sure if it's something I missed with cv axles, or what. Before it was towed everything worked just great. I have redone everything under the hood minus the actual transmission. Which I am hoping I don't need to. Any advice or help would be truly appreciated. Thanks
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Sunday, December 25th, 2022 AT 1:32 PM

59 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Hi,

There is a possibility that the CV axles you used aren't fully installed. I have a question. If you place the car in park with the parking brake off, are you able to move the vehicle as if it was in neutral?

Also, when the trans and engine were connected, was the torque converter fully engaged into the transmission's front pump?

When you place the transmission in reverse, do the reverse lamps turn on?

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, December 25th, 2022 AT 10:17 PM
Tiny
DC CRENSHAW
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  • 36 POSTS
Joe,

Car doesn't move in park.
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Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 2:08 PM
Tiny
DC CRENSHAW
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
Here are pictures of the bottom of tranny when I removed the valve body, is there supposed to be a gap there? The other night I had rechecked the CV Axles to make sure they were all the way in again, I used a weighted mallet and hit it on the spindled and it didn't seem to move anymore. When I rotated it, it moved on both sides. Yes, the reverse lights come on, as well as the brake lights. It doesn't move in park, but in any other gear I can push it and it moves.
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Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 5:19 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

That gap is normal. When you place it into gear, does anything happen? For example, does the engine speed change? If you lift the front wheels off the ground, start it, and place it in gear, will the wheels move at all?

Next, you indicated replacing the wiring harness. Which harness was replaced? Was it a new one or used? Why was it changed? Was the old one damaged?

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
DC CRENSHAW
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
Joe,

Okay, I was not sure about the gap but thanks for letting me know. When I shift it in to gear the idle drops down some and when I give it gas nothing happens. A few times it seemed like it wanted to go but then it didn't. Like if I barely step on gas and let off and repeat, feels like car seems to rock like if the e-brake was on. I replaced main engine and dash wiring harness because there was a short somewhere and it frayed the wire, and one was broken and couldn't find the other half of it. But the replacement engine harness came from the exact same year and model car from Junk yard. When I had the floor jack under it today and tried there was no wheel rotation. This has me really stumped as to the cause.
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Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 9:32 PM
Tiny
DC CRENSHAW
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
Almost forgot, put scanner to it and gave me code for p1656 ocv malfunction. I erased it and came right back.
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Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 9:41 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Hi,

The code is related to the oil control valve for the variable valve timing. That doesn't have anything to do with the trans, but it will need attention before you start driving it all the time.

If there is no change and the transmission fluid is full, there must be an issue with line pressure. When you installed the transmission, are you certain the torque converter was fully seated in the front pump?

I attached the hydraulic test procedures for line pressure. You need a pressure gauge that is designed to reach very high pressures.

Take a look at it and let me know if you are comfortable performing them.

Also, let me know if the gear indicator indicates the correct gear selected.

Take care,

joe

See pics below.
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Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 AT 10:27 PM
Tiny
DC CRENSHAW
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
Joe,

Yes, the gear selector represents the correct gear. When I replaced the shifter cable, I made sure that it was lined up correctly. I'm not entirely sure that the torque converter was fully seated, but I want to say yes. I took the starter off and had to make sure that I had bolted it down to the flywheel and it had the 3 bolts in it. Let me take a look at what you sent. If I/we can't seem to figure it out, within next few days, the junkyard is having a sale to where everything is half off, so I'm thinking of just getting another one. If I do, I was thinking of converting it to a manual. Which would mean I would need to grab the engine as well? Correct?

Would AutoZone or Advanced Auto have the pressure tool as a loaner tool do you know by chance?
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Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 AT 12:24 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Hi,

Often times a parts store will have the gauge needed. As far as the issue, was this a problem prior to the new engine being installed?

If the transmission was okay prior, it should be okay now as well.

Also, switching to a manual requires more than you think. The pedal needs to be installed, a clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder, and the computer that presently controls the automatic transmission will likely need to be changed as well. That leads to different wiring harnesses and so on. Something that at one time was simple has become a nightmare. LOL

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 AT 11:31 AM
Tiny
DC CRENSHAW
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
Joe,

So, everything was fine up until it was towed from the back. It threw my timing off (which I was I was unaware of at the time). This was the root cause of all repairs. From engine to transmission. So, I've been told about converting. I went ahead and got another transmission from junkyard but now the NSS is not the same. Only thing that is different. Do you think it's possible to just splice the wires to the correct wire in the new harness? If so, can you provide me with 03 and 05 wiring diagram for neutral safety switch? Thanks
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Monday, January 2nd, 2023 AT 12:04 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Hi,

I attached schematics for both below. Pics 1 and 2 are for the 2003 and pics 3 and 4 are for the 2005.

From what I see, they are the same.

Take a look through them and let me know your thoughts.

Take care and let me know if I can help.

Joe

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Monday, January 2nd, 2023 AT 4:54 PM
Tiny
DC CRENSHAW
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
Joe,

This is a bit frustrating; I have responded back to you at least twice now and for some reason they weren’t sent. Third time a charm? Okay, so I went and got a transmission from the salvage yard. I was getting ready to take out the engine and transmission once again. The first two times I did it by myself, and this time neighbors wanted to help out. I was a little sketchy, but I said okay. So had one cranking the mount, one on each side of car and me under it trying to guide driver CV axle out. For some reason I wasn’t able to get it removed this time around. So, I'm guiding it and next thing I know the car slams down and hits me in head and thumb is smashed. I crawl from under the car and used a bunch of f-bombs think the jack fell and I asked what happened they all looked at me big eyed and said it fell. I'm like what did they said engine and transmission. If I wouldn't of placed the front tires under each side I would have been crushed and severely hurt, instead of a cut on forehead and fractured thumb. After that I told them thanks for the help but I will finish myself because I never had an engine fall before. So, after that, I installed the transmission and engine, filled it up and while it was still on jacks fired it up and tires are rotating. Took it for a spin around the block and drove from second on. But from first to second it seemed like a loss of power. So went back to the house and decided I'd go a little further and try driving to Walmart which is about 6 miles away. As I get about mile away from house it starts shifting hard. I got two lights from Walmart and I lost all gears. Turned car off and started back up and still no gears. Not sure what happened but it happened shortly after hitting a pothole. It made me think the CV axle wasn't all the way in, but fluid was still full. So, I'm unsure as to what it could be now. Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
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Sunday, January 8th, 2023 AT 11:19 PM
Tiny
DC CRENSHAW
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
Joe,

Almost forgot, but do you have the wiring diagrams from the female plug to the neutral switch? This was the only thing that was different, so I figured I could either splice the wires or switch out switch and use the one from old transmission.
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Sunday, January 8th, 2023 AT 11:22 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Hi,

Wow, you are lucky you weren't killed. As far as the transmission/axle, see if you can push the vehicle with the shifter in park. That will tell you if one of the axles isn't engaged,

I looked through two manuals and neither had the pinout. I attached the wiring schematic for the transmission. Let me know if that helps.

Take care,

Joe

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Monday, January 9th, 2023 AT 2:02 PM
Tiny
DC CRENSHAW
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
Joe,

So, I took the transmission out and the torque converter wasn’t all the way in. What are the odds of the transmission still working, and nothing was messed up internally? Should I even waste time putting it back together or go swap it for another while the warranty is still valid? I tried to remove the converter but wasn’t able to pull it all the way out, it seemed like it was stuck at the very end. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks
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Thursday, January 19th, 2023 AT 2:22 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
When you say the torque converter couldn't be removed, do you mean from the transmission? The end of the converter has two splines that seat in the front pump. There is a chance one or the other was damaged.

As far as internal damage is concerned, it should be okay, but I suspect either the torque converter or the front pump on the transmission is damaged.

If it is the front pump, it will require being removed. So, at this point, we need to get the torque converter separated from the transmission. What have you tried so far?

Joe
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Thursday, January 19th, 2023 AT 4:22 PM
Tiny
DC CRENSHAW
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
Joe,

I tried twisting and pulling up on it at the same time and it wouldn't pop out, so I ended up taking it back and pulled another one from a 2000 Celica GTS. Just about got it in, I just hope that the person that said that it would work is right. It had same engine but I assumed it wouldn't because of the year. I know that 03 to 08 if I'm not mistaken are the years that would work. I wanted transmission that has performance, and the Celica GTS was one that I was told, as well as the xrs. I read that 03 & 04 Corolla were made to add a super charger too. So that is eventually what I want or a turbo. But can you confirm that it'll work. I just about have it installed but my concern is the plugs and wiring. I'm hoping that I didn't waste all night with it and it not work.
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Friday, January 20th, 2023 AT 3:03 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Hi,

As far as the transmission, the only thing I have to cross reference is the OEM part numbers, which are different. See pics 1 and 2 below.

If you were told by a salvage yard that it would work, chances are they will be right. They have the cross-reference information needed.

Have you had any success?

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, January 20th, 2023 AT 7:57 PM
Tiny
DC CRENSHAW
  • MEMBER
  • 36 POSTS
Joe,

It’s not from 2000 Corolla. It’s a 2000 Toyota Celiac GTS. I was unaware that they knew which ones were compatible. I got information from an expert from Toyota Corolla forum. It’s just about installed but it’s been raining on and off all day which is frustrating especially when all that’s left is bolting the bell housing to engine and then torque bolts and wiring it all back up. I was concerned is it lining up correctly along with the wiring.
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Saturday, January 21st, 2023 AT 1:38 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
I just looked up the one for the Celica. Sorry about that. It is showing a different part number as well. I attached it below.

Do you see any differences between the two? Have you been able to go any further?

Let me know.

Joe

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Saturday, January 21st, 2023 AT 11:09 PM

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