Toyota Camry 2006 and earlier

18788909293165

Comments

  • ryder9ryder9 Member Posts: 4
    Wondered if any other 2003 Camry owners have this problem. The tranny hangs in 2nd gear for the first 2 or 3 miles after a "cold" start (1st drive of the day). Tranny shifts OK after thaat. Local Toyota Service Tech stated something about the o2 sensor and having to warm the vehicle before driving. Tried that warming for two minutes before driving - did not make a dif. Any comments before I head back to the service department?
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    The transmission and engine are working as designed. The idea is to warm up the cat quickly, because most emissions occur when the engine is not up to operating temp.

    THIS IS NOT AN ARGUMENT TO WARM UP THE CAR BEFORE DRIVING. That is a ludicrous suggestion. The engine and drivetrain warm faster by moderate driving, not by sitting in the driveway.

    This strategy of holding lower gears longer when the engine is cold is common across many makes; both our Hondas and Mercedes are programmed to do the same thing.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Almost $2,400 in maintenance seems kind of high (I am well under that for the 13 years I have owned my 1990 Integra) especially for a car still under warranty. Can you elaborate a little on what the cost was? Thanks.
  • vchengvcheng Member Posts: 1,284
    The main addition was a set of new tires. And being the fool that I am, I sprung for a set of Z-rated Michelin Pilots for about $1100. Otherwise, a set of Goodyears would have been around $300. Also, the original tires were at 4/32nds of treadwear, which would have been good for another 8-10k miles. However, I was tired of the slow leaks, and wanted better tires.

    The remainder included oil, filters and fluid flushes etc.
  • c0kec0ke Member Posts: 44
    Re: ECU programming

    I'll see if I can get some attention to the ECU reprogramming. The last inquiry at the service department on the "initial Clunk" phenomena got me a reply of "They all do it ... even my 2000 Camry does it".

    Later I got to thinking ... This is a new tranny and most likely not even the same design as the ones on the year 2000 models. Grrrr.

    But I may try to find the Alldata reference to the TSB to see how it was worded.

    Tnx for the info!
  • ryder9ryder9 Member Posts: 4
    Thanks, John. Its nice knowing this is not a malfunction. Living adjacent to a highway, parking lot pre-warming (about 5 mins)is almost mandatory unless there is little or no traffic. Won't go over about 32 MPH without really high RPMs. This is going to be tricky on snow and ice.
  • sahara1sahara1 Member Posts: 3
    This may be a silly question but how should my brakes feel? I just started driving my 3 month old 2002 Camry LE and I find the brakes softer than any other car I've driven including my 1997 Camry. I have to press the brake all the way down to stop the car and I'm not used to that. Is this normal? Thanks.
  • coolguyky7coolguyky7 Member Posts: 932
    What is all this business on carsdirect.com about certain packages and options on the Camry not being available after October/November? Is this just some goof on that website's part or will the packages be replaced (by slightly varied options)? Thanks
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    I have no idea. It could just be some quirk of that company. I have not heard of any package changes, but then again, I am no longer in the sales department and I won't necessarily know about such changes.
  • randyr52randyr52 Member Posts: 19
    I have a 2002 camry LE...I want to upgrade the wheels to either the 16" toyota wheels or possibly the Lexus ES300 16" wheels.....Can I move to either wheel and just "bolt on and drive away"???? Somehow I just don't find the 15" wheels filling out the wheel wells!!!
    My wife just bought a new Highlander and I am jealous.....I want something new too!?!? HeHeHe!!!
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    yes you can.

    Many times you can get aftermarket whees/tires for less than at the dealership.
  • pingcchenpingcchen Member Posts: 1
    Two Questions hope you can help:

    1.I looked at inventory list at Longo Toyota, there are a lot of cars has this MSRP: 20809. It is a LE 2.4 engine alright, but what are other options on this car?

    2. If VIN start with JTDBxxxxxx , is it made in Japan?

    Thanks
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    If it starts with a "J" it is made in Japan.
  • steveb84steveb84 Member Posts: 187
    All the Camry packages are being changed starting with November build. Keyless entry was still being shown as part of Package #1 (GH) The change just breaks things out in detail.
  • ndrummndrumm Member Posts: 2
    I am trying to locate a 2003 XLE V6 Lunar Mist Metallic, loaded, in the Las Vegas area. There seems to be a shortage of this color, even though it's my understanding that this is one of the most popular colors. Two questions: 1. Does anyone know of any dealerships in the southwestern US that has this car? 2. Does anyone know why there is such a shortage in this color?
  • backlash1backlash1 Member Posts: 3
    Anyone have a noise problem with a 2001 Camry when the car is idling. Dealer said the problem would go away after 10,000 miles, but the noise is still there?
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    What is a timing belt noise? How was this diagnosed? Fan belt I can understand. Noisy alternator I can also understand, but if it really is a timing belt noise, you have a problem I have never heard of on a new car.
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    ...the only noise a timing belt can make is bad and expensive. Sounds like more service dept BS, I'm afraid. Noises rarely "go away"...
  • backlash1backlash1 Member Posts: 3
    Maybe the tensioner is the problem?
  • jrct9454jrct9454 Member Posts: 2,363
    ...the tensioner IS the only real possiblity, and that is NOT something you wait on. If they REALLY suspect the belt as the source [which I personally doubt] then there should be no standing around waiting for it to "get better". How is the tensioner going to heal itself?
  • toyotakentoyotaken Member Posts: 897
    I have just heard from Toyota that it will be extra hard to find any V-6 models for a while now. This is because they are going to be introducting the new V6 at the begining of the year. It is going to be a 3.3L V6. The V6 models will have a 5sp auto transmission. No specific numbers are available yet, but they're estimating 230-240hp with a lot of low-end torque on tap. While they're still changing over production to this new engine, the current model V6 is going to be hard to find unless it's already on the dealer's lot.
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    Whoa! This is the second time I have heard this rumor. The first time, I wrote it off as wishful thinking until I talked to the guy who started it. He told me a regional rep told him the same thing. I replied that I had not heard anything like that and it would be very much out of character for Toyota but a regional rep should know.

    After your posting, I decided to take a look at the order bank for November. Sure enough, only 2% of the Camrys will have the V6 engine next month. You could be right.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Member Posts: 1,391
    http://www.toyota.com.au


    Pretty nice body kit for the Sportivo


    and V6 and 5-speed combo!!!

  • c0kec0ke Member Posts: 44
    cjts,

    Today I asked the service rep about the TSB for reprogramming the ECU to clear up the vibrating annoyance at 38-40 mph on my LE.

    He was ordering a replacement remote mirror for me and said that he would pull up all the TSB's available for my LE VIN and get back with me on it. He didn't recall such a TSB off hand.

    I didn't have the numbers with me for him to check but I'm wondering if this TSB is one they don't commonly have access to?

    Can you tell me the date of the TSB if you were able to get any more info on it? Is it something that has to come out of TMMK or some other Toyota facility?
  • ficklefickle Member Posts: 98
    I went to my dealer, too, and told them about the "hesitation" TSB. They told me they hadn't heard of it. So I went back through all the previous posts. The numbers from that post are EG2006, EG01301, and EG01702. I don't know why the post had so many numbers but I wrote them all down. The actual link that post-er had, went to a TSB titled U140E shift quality improvements for '02 Camry (1 MZ-FE only) The number on the side of the report is EG013-01. I haven't been back to the dealer since I'm waiting for a part to come in. At that time, I'll bring the car in and show them this report.

    On an entirely different subject, the Edmund's website says the '02 Camry has an 18.5 gallon gas tank. If that's correct and I'm getting about 310 miles per tank, that means my gas mileage is about 16/17 miles per gallon? Yikes! I drive 50/50 and AC on all the time. Is that right? That's worse than my '94 Maxima V6! Someone please tell me that the gas tank is actually smaller!
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555
    you have an 18.5 gallon tank, but I strongly doubt you are driving it down to fumes on every tankful! Do not gauge your fuel mileage by the size of the tank, use your tripmeter to find out how many miles you go from one fill-up to the next, then divide by the number of gallons of gas you ACTUALLY PUT IN THE TANK.

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    The only way to know how many gallons you have used is to fill up the tank. You can't judge by the gauge. Most cars have 3-4 gallons left with the gauge on E.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Beat me by one minute - gotta type faster next time.
  • nippononlynippononly Member Posts: 12,555

    2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)

  • cjtscjts Member Posts: 13
    cOke, I assume that the TSB for the hesitation is of common knowledge. When those come out they are sent to all service departments. The TSB number is EG017-02 and was dated August 2002. If you look up the following link: http://applications.edmunds.com/maintenance/MaintenanceServlet?step=step4&year=2002&make=Toyota&model=Camry&style=LE+V6+4dr+Sedan+%283.0L+6cyl+4A%29&popup=current#15 you'll find it posted (without details).

    Fickle, the other two numbers I posted were EG2006 which is the number that my dealership used to refer to the TSB internally. However the re-calibration code that they set and the TSB to justify it that they wrote in the label that they put in my car is EG017-02. The other TSB that I mentioned (EG013-01) is an older TSB that came out in September 2001 that DID NOT fix the hesitation problem.

    Advice, if you ask your service department about the TSB and they argue that they don't know about it, ask them to call Toyota Technical Services and request the EG017-02 TSB!! They must do it! Don't take no for an answer, talk to the Master Service Manager if necessary. I hate when people try to dodge their duties!
  • austinman7austinman7 Member Posts: 313
    I read in an earlier post about the automatic transmission not going above second gear until the engine is warmed up. Does anyone know if that setup applies to a 2003 XLE V6? That's the car I'm shopping right now. I've never experienced anything like that in the Chrysler and GM cars I've owned so far. Thanks for any info you may have.
  • toyotakentoyotaken Member Posts: 897
    The way that Toyota engines act when they are cold isn't really all that noticable unless you're paying attention. Basically, they shift to a higher gear earlier in the RPM range than normal. This is even if you have the throttle floored. This is to make sure that the transmission and engine aren't overworking while cold. It will still work its way through all of the gears, and actually it will do so earlier than when it is warm.
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    I actually disagree with Toyotaken's response. All new cars will not shift into higher gears when they are cold. The reason is emissions. Until the catyletic converter is warmed up, the transmission will not shift into overdrive and will take longer to shift into 2nd and 3rd. This is true of all new cars, the 2003 Camry V6 included.
  • toyotakentoyotaken Member Posts: 897
    I can't say that I am definately right, this is just from my own experience driving my own Toyota and the other vehicles we have in our inventory. I would agree with the comment about shifting into overdrive after thinking about what happens when I drive my car. And it would make sense as these cars all seem to warm up after just a couple of minutes, even in the middle of winter.
  • carrelman2carrelman2 Member Posts: 80
    Anybody have any information regarding this engine replacing the present 3.0 liter V6 for Camrys delivered after January 1st 2003? I for one think something is going on.
  • austinman7austinman7 Member Posts: 313
    Thanks, Cliffy1 and toyotaken, for responses on cold engine shifting. I'm still a little in the dark, since one of you says the transmission actually shifts into higher gears more quickly when cold, while the other disagrees.

    I'm getting ready to trade a 7-year-old Buick Regal -- so it may have different characteristics from a 2003 Regal and other new cars. I can confirm that it won't go into the torque converter lockup mode until the engine is warm. However, it is a 4-speed transmission and it most certainly does not stop at 2nd gear when cold -- I would have noticed the higher revs as I get up to 50 or 60 early in my communte to work, before the engine is fully warmed up. I'm sure it's at least in 3rd gear, possibly 4th.

    My only concern is if this Camry setup prevents the car from going above 2nd gear for a significant amount of time, since that would put me at 50 or 60 mph in 2nd gear. I just don't want to be barrelling down the parkway at 5000 revs, or whatever.

    If either of your dealerships is in the North, maybe you have cold enough weather now that someone could start one up and drive it right away and tell me what happens. At any rate, thanks for your input so far.
  • c0kec0ke Member Posts: 44
    Thanks for going further on this!

    My service manager is going to call me when my replacement remote mirror comes in ... they have to paint (or order) them for the color match.

    Now I'll have the info to refer him to.

    Basically they seem to want to do the right thing at my shop BUT sometimes they come back with

    " ... they all do that ..."
    " ... first time I've ever heard of that ..."

    When the rear rotors started showing groves at 4K miles they replaced both rotors with no arguement. They simply could not explain what we were seeing. Replaced my front cup holder when the cup lockdown adapter slipped out of place.

    Major and trivial items basically but I guess getting their attention is better when you can show them something.

    So we'll see where this goes.
  • toyotakentoyotaken Member Posts: 897
    austinman7,

    I don't think either one of us was or is saying that it won't go further than 2nd gear until the engine is warm. I will still do what is right to keep the engine and car running correctly. It very well may keep the car from going into overdrive (4th gear) until it warms up, but that is no different than turning the overdrive off when you're driving. This will in no way impinge in the ability to drive on the highway and these engines tend to warm up within a couple of minutes of getting going. Hope this clarifies.
  • toyotakentoyotaken Member Posts: 897
    The rumor is that they will be coming out with a variation on the 4.0L V6 that they will be using in the 4-Runner. There is no verified information regarding it yet other than it will probably be 3.3L in displacement with somewhere between 230 and 245HP and about 260lb/ft of torque. The V6 models will also have a 5sp auto transmission. As to specific release dates and/or specific performance numbers, they are not saying as of yet. The best guesses so far is sometime in January for the introduction into the Camry.
  • austinman7austinman7 Member Posts: 313
    Thanks, toyotaken, for further clarification. I picked up that 2nd gear limitation idea from an earlier post, so it sounds like that was a little off base.

    In the meantime, I'm all ears about this new 3.3 V6 and the possibility of it being available sometime soon in the Camry. I'm impressed with the current V6, but that new one sounds like quite an advance. I trust you'll keep us updated.
  • xbbusterxbbuster Member Posts: 145
    When backing out of the garage in the morning and going from reverse to neutral to drive with my foot on the brake there is a very noticeable jerk to my '02 V6. When I stop at the end of the block and put the car in reverse and then back into drive it shifts smooth. Is this the cold weather shifting or the driveline "thunk"? Either way it can't be good for transmission 365 times a year. Does anyone know what the RPM should be with the engine cold and the car in reverse with the brake on?
  • toyotakentoyotaken Member Posts: 897
    This is not something that I have found to be normal on Toyota Camry's. My understanding from Toyota (and I may be wrong here, but this is what I was told) is that on Camry's with ECTi, when you shift into Drive from park or reverse, it should shift into 3rd gear first before moving back into 1st. This all happens too fast for most people to even notice, but it reduces the strain on the transmission and drive-train from the low gearing on 1st gear.

    If this hard shifting in the morning is what you're experiencing, I would check with the service department of your Toyota dealership and have them test drive it. If this only happens when it's cold, let them keep it overnight and drive it in the morning so that you're reproducing the situation where it happens.

    Tell me what you find.
  • c0kec0ke Member Posts: 44
    The last time I asked (last winter) I got

    " ... they all do that ... even my 2000 LE V6 does it"

    But later I got to thinking, didn't the 02's came out with a completly redesigned transmission?

    This is another one I'll ask about to see if there has been any action on this very common complaint.
  • xbbusterxbbuster Member Posts: 145
    I'm taking the car to the dealer Monday PM so they can try it out Tuesday morning. When I called the service dept. the first thing the "greeter" told my was they all do that and it's because "the engine is running faster when it's cold"
  • bartalk2bartalk2 Member Posts: 326
    Where did you hear about these new engines coming out early next year? Is this just rumor, somebody's wishful thinking, or is it based on hard evidence from Toyota sources? I'm leaning toward the V-6 Accord now, but if the Camry will have a bigger engine soon, I may wait. Introducing a whole new engine and transmission mid-year seems very unusual. More common pattern is to wait until the next model year. On the other hand, both Accord and Altima have leapfrogged the Camry, which is now, by comparison, underpowered. They may want to match the competition as soon as possible, which is the only reason I can see for an early introduction of the 3.3. But then, what do they do with the Lexus ES300? Same deal, I imagine.
  • cliffy1cliffy1 Member Posts: 3,581
    Toyotaken got this from his district manager. That is the second time I have heard this rumor. Another TH member mentioned about a month ago that he had a conversation with a district rep at a car show and was told the same thing. These are two independent sources that are saying the same thing. It is too early to call this a "lock" but evidence is mounting.
  • carrelman2carrelman2 Member Posts: 80
    Of course it will be a big secret about the introduction of this new engine in the Camry by the early part of 2003 (maybe January). If it announced now it would hurt the sales of present dealer inventories of 2003 models(they would probably have to offer bigger discounts to move the inventory). In checking on incoming inventory for November and December it seems less 3.0 V6's are coming in, this leads me to believe something is about to change. If anyone has more information please post it on this website. Thank you
  • bartalk2bartalk2 Member Posts: 326
    Thanks, guys, for the info. Keep us posted.
  • toyotakentoyotaken Member Posts: 897
    There is nothing verified from Toyota yet, but that is not unusual. However, some of the hints from the Reps seem to point in that direction. Plus if they are using the same engine platform for all of their vehicles using the current 3.0L V6, it would make sense that they change over all production at the same time rather than have the same factory building the 3.0L and the 3.3L at the same time. This would be very "un-Toyota-like" as they highly value efficiency. We'll try to keep you informed as we hear anything new.
  • bartalk2bartalk2 Member Posts: 326
    As you know, the redesigned '04 Camry Solara is due out early next year. Is it possible that the new engine (and transmission) will go first into the Camry Solara and not the Camry sedan and will be introduced in January or thereabouts? That makes more "sense" than a mid-year introduction of a new engine & transmission in the sedan. Maybe that's what's in the works.

    And, by the way, a new 5-speed transmission for the Camry is not necessarily a blessing. The new 5-speed transmission in the Lexus ES300 has been plagued with big problems since its introduction (see the Lexus board here) (including, lately, threatened law suits), and Consumer Reports said the Camry 4-speed was much superior to the Lexus 5-speed.
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