I see that there are many more posts on the Camry forum than on Avalon. My friend has a 95 Avalon, 3.0L with auto that doesn't do anything in forward. Are these 2 cars similar enough to use Camry info for Avalon? Also, since I think this is an OBDI car, can I read the stored error codes using some kind of "paper clip" method? If so, how? I don't have a manual yet and am looking for some preliminary diagnostics to do on this trans.

Thanks, Jim

Yes, Avalon and Camry are nearly twins. 95 was the transistion year for OBDI-II. Look for a white emissions sticker on the bottom side of the hood. It should say which system it's equiped with. If you're stuck with OBD-I, open the factory service manual sticky at the top of the forum. It will have the paper clip procedure. They call the paper clip an SST tool or something like that.

All Gen 3 Camrys with the V6 engines have OBD-II. The Avalon and Camry shared the same 3.0L 1MZ-FE engine. You can go borrow a code reader from the parts store or have their salesperson read it. Post back if you find any.'

Saying it doesn't do anything when shifted into the forward gears, does that mean it goes in Reverse? Check the top of this forum for the 3rd gen Camry repair manual and check the tranny troubleshooting section. First guess would be a bad shift solenoid if you get nothing in any forward gears. Hope this helps!

Thanks for the quick reply.
I put more details on the Avalon forum, but it pretty much does nothing in forward, but reverse still works. Since there is apparently a check engine light on, then maybe there are some codes and if it's an OBD-II as "jdmccright" says, then there should be more info available.
Just trying to help out a friend who has even less knowledge of autos than I do.

p.s. I must be slow, 'cause I can't find the factory service manual sticky at the top of the forum. Help?!

Jim

It's the second thread on the opening Camry forum page. Looks like this:
Important: Factory Service Manuals!

Jd is correct. The V6 engines are OBDII. Won't need to bother with the paper clip trick but, the manual will help in many ways.

Here is a direct link to the section for the A541E transaxle:

http://www.turboninjas.com/camry/ax2.pdf

The troubleshooting section begins on page 50 (AX2-50) of the PDF.
The Trouble code chart starts on page 62.
The troubleshooting maxtrix chart for symptoms starts on page 80.

Good luck...from what I read, you're looking at a rebuild.

'92 and '93 V6 are OBDI (3VZ-FE I believe). '92-'95 5S-FE 4-cyl are OBDI

p.s. I must be slow, 'cause I can't find the factory service manual sticky at the top of the forum. Help?!

Jim Try www.camrystuff.com (http://www.camrystuff.com)

All,
Thanks for the info. I guess I was hoping for a bad sensor or something easier than a complete replacement. I have never tried to "borrow" an OBD-II from Autozone, but if it is like their tool loan program, and I a deposit for the value, they might loan me one?
I'll post back with progress (if any).
Thanks again, Jim

Autozone will actually come out to your car and read the codes for you for free. Be sure to write down the codes and report them back here.

Mike

Do they make house calls? That would be news to me. Or he could drive it in reverse all the way to the store. Cheap readers can be had for abt $50...think those are the ones they loan out.

Do they make house calls? That would be news to me. Or he could drive it in reverse all the way to the store. Cheap readers can be had for abt $50...think those are the ones they loan out.

"with auto that doesn't do anything in forward"

Sorry; I forgot about the original problem when I posted that.

Mike