Any help or advice would be appreciated

[Supra326]

Hi All

I have owned my 1993 Mk4 TT Supra for over 20 years now and it has just clocked 200k miles.

I am no mechanic sadly and anything beyond basic day to day care is wasted on me.  I have managed to keep it going over the years through local garages - mostly on a shoestring budget (luckily Supra's are fairly bullet proof as you all know). 

The Mk4 is the only car I really wanted to drive and own since it first came out in 1993, but I am now facing the prospect of having to say goodbye to it.  While over the years local garages have managed to keep the car going with me having to source parts, they have washed their hands of it due to complexity issues etc etc.

Recently the car wouldn't go into reverse when cold then a little later it wouldn't reverse at all and the green Traction Control light came on and stayed on (won't turn off) and the car is in limp home mode / reduced power mode.  It limped to the local Toyota main dealer and they say they can't fully diagnose the problem as it is an import and I will need to find an automatic transmission specialist.  I was hoping that Toyota would at least be able to diagnose the issue and give me a part number to track down (it isn't the speed sensor apparently, which is the common cause of this type of issue).

I am trying to find a transmission/gearbox specialist in my area (GU14 surrey/hants border) but all those I have tried within reason travel (taking into account the cars current condition) say they won't touch a Jap import Supra because of the problems getting parts etc.

I therefore don't know whether it is an issue that will cost a few hundred or up to say a grand to fix (and therefore keep the car) or whether I am looking at £thousands (and therefore have to sell it as is).  As all of you know, trying to buy another Supra (even a high mileage one) means spending £25k upwards looking at second hand prices on the internet. 

Does anyone happen to know (or have used in the past) a gearbox or service specialist they would recommend that would be able to look at a Supra import (and who is based say within 40 miles of GU14), or have any particular advice on the issue - I thought I would give it one last attempt before having to part ways with it (and probably end up in some grey mudane box on 4 wheels lol).

Thanks for your time. 

Russ

 

[Scooter]

Russ, I'm local to you in the GU8 area. 

What would be helpful is if you can get us some diagnostic codes. This is straight forward, you'll need a plain metal paper clip.

In the engine bay there will be a rectangular diagnostics port (or you can use the one under the drivers side dash), if you open the lid it should show you the locations of terminals, bridgedTE1 and E1 with your paper clip, push down into the terminal holes. In the car turn the key to on without starting and the engine light will flash codes, I think the autobox codes might flash a different dash light so look out for that too. 

Watcht the link below and see how you get on.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3040080559355374

I can always pop round to help, I do have an original diagnostics machine that I'd be keen to plug in if you don't feel confident after watching the above. 

[Scooter]

Gearbox fluid changed at all in the period of ownership?  there is a filter in the gearbox that can be changed and that and new fluid could possibly save the box. If it's not had any fluid over the years perhaps a used box would be the best option as it may be beyond economical repair (you could post a wanted ad up and see what's offered?)

 

[Supra326]

Thanks Scooter, much appriciated.

I am due to pick the car up from the garage later this week.  I think the garage said that they managed to get some codes from the car (not sure), so I will check and have a chat with them when I pick it up. If they haven't got any codes then I will have a go at what you suggest next weekend. 

The car has been serviced every year so should have had the gearbox fluid changed when required - though I now wonder - I will have to recheck all the paperwork. 

Thanks again.

Russ.

[Swampy442]

Guilford is also right in the back yard of a Supra specialist, SRD. But as above an auto box service with filter is where Id start, but dont drive it, low oil levels can cause lasting harm to the box.

[Supra326]

Thanks Swampy442, much appreciated.  I will definitely speak to them when I know more about what is potentially wrong.

 

[Scooter]

Russ, let me know when it's back. We can look at codes and the condition of the autobox fluid etc. As you are so close I'm happy to pop over if you'd like.

We can at least assess the fluid that's in the box, I'm not sure David P is active on the forum anymore, but there are things we can look at to try and see if the box is just ill and so saveable rather than dead dead! 

 

 

[Supra326]

Thanks Scooter, much appreciated.  I am hoping to get the car back this weekend - if the garage can't get any diagnostic codes then I will try the method in the link you provided (to see if it works for me) over the next couple of weekends.  If it works then at least we might have a starting point. Either way I will update you shortly.  Thanks again. 

[Supra326]

Hi Scooter, thought I would just give you a quick update while I can.  Got the car back and managed to get it home. The Toyota garage didn't manage to get any diagnostic codes.

Strangely it started to go into reverse (not smoothly mind you) while trying to park it. I have put some gearbox fluid in it and found the diagnostic port.  I have tested the gearbox a couple of times since and it was still going into reverse.  I was going to have a go at the paperclip diagnostic test this weekend before considering next steps but a family medical emergency has arisen this week which has meant having to shelve any further action on the car (and anything else for that matter!!) for a while at least. 

Thanks again and I will keep you posted when I have time to go back to focusing on the Supra again.