meandthecar

Cheers Adi How long did it take - while u wait - or a couple of days?

Thanks for all of the help guys. I drove my car for about 10 miles on Friday night, then checked the level and colour of the tranny fluid. Both looked OK to me, so I am a little stumped Chris - perhaps I should come see you sometime soon. When are you available? Howler

Thanks Terminator Do you think I am doing any damage to the Gearbox with this niggling "cold-start" problem? Do I need to get on this really urgently?

Eyefi, I have not tried this yet - I will later and let you know Howler

No problem... 1) I start it up. 2) Then from Park to Reverse to get out of the driveway 3) Put it in Drive gear 4) Pull away - will not climb to 2nd gear (MANU has no effect i.e. cannot force it into 2nd - the MANU light is on, but it just does not do anything) 5) Drive about 30 seconds (v. slow in 1st) 6) Go to Neutral/Reverse/Park at junction 7) Go to Drive to pull out of junction 8) Sometimes still sticking to 1st (repeat step 6) 9) Usually will go to 2nd when throttle is eased off 10) Fine hereafter The whole think lasts a minute (at worst, so far). I have definitely noticed that if the car has only sat for an hour or less, the problem does not happen. Do you think this is a) temperature, b) transmission fluid movement (not all in sump after one hour), or c) something in the (gearbox?) ECU? BTW, the manual just says, "Toyota Automatic Transmission Fluid Type II" Any use? Howler

Thanks a lot for the answers so far guys I REALLY appreciate being pointed in the right direction. My main concern is that a relacement gearbox would be ridiculously expensive, so any knowledge I can have to help sort the problem is great. I will check the level/quality this weekend and let you know what the story is. I have also been told that there is a sensor for the Gearbox oil getting to hot, so it could be linked to the temperature is some way. Thanks again

I don't know how to check , or what fluid he used. However, this problem was happening before any top up took place. The guy who looks after my car only does Jap import motors, so I would hope that he knows what he is doing. This is going to be tough one, isn't it...

My regular mechanic

Sorry Matt - I should say "topped up" last week, not changed

Changed last week - problem has been around 4 weeks now. The only variable I could think of was the weather.... I am NOT that smart with cars

Could anyone offer any help as to why when the engine is cold (or possibly it has been left for a couple of hours), my Jap Auto has difficulty getting out of 1st gear? It is becoming a pain. As soon as the car "gets going", it cycles through the gears fine. Could it be something to do with the MPH converter? Any help would be greatly appreciated...