Can't shift when cold. Need some assistance from a supra expert! :(

[bp_supra]

so i just got this supra its got 127k miles 1986 first mark 3 model. and i didnt notice this before since when i test drove it. it was already warmed up and everything and was running perfect and shifting perfectly. but when i try to leave to work in early morning and the supra is still completely cold and not warmed up it doesnt go in any gears.. i cant put it in ANY GEARS when its cold and just turned on for good 5 to 10 mins til its completely warmed up then itll shift into gears smoothly..


so my question is, is that normal or is my clutch going out or does it need transmission fluid or what idk anything about supra so im stomped! help and answers much appreciated!

[Norm]

I have a similar problem. My 1985.5 Supra has to warm up before it will sift down to 1st. Have you ever found a solution to your problem? I don't have any answers, and I'm searching for a solution also.

Thanks Norm

[pandrade]

im gonna get the simple stuff out of the way. 1st off have you checked the gear oil? maby try to do a flush and top off whith new oil( mine seems to like moble 1 synthetic more than others and its sold at advanced auto parts). try checking the clutch cylinder to see for damage as well as the slave( maby performe a clutch fluid flush and make shure the peddle is adjusted correctly), i doubt thats it but the more problems you can rule out the better

[Norm]

I should have made myself clear about what kind of transmission. It's an automatic, and I think your talking about a stick. Thanks for answering; if you know anything about what could fix my transmission I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks Again,
Norm

[pandrade]

ohh its the ol slushbox.has the previouse owner said anything on how often he performed a tranny flush and changed the filter packs?(if this tranny has a filter)on my auto's i do it every 50k miles to enshure good performance and econ.if its never been changed i would leave the old fluid alone once that stuff gets old and glazed on the parts flushing the old fluid and adding new fluid which contains new detergents might result in more damage( i would still top it off whith fluid if low).

im not an expert tech but just a thought here is that maby the passages in the tranny are all clogged up and once the fluid gets hot it becomes viscouse enough to pass by the passages(as well as the metal could expand and let old fluid and debres pass)

[Norm]

That sound like a good idea to have the transmission fluid changed. It is actually a "86.5" year Supra, and I bought it in 2001 with 56,215 miles. I had the transmission fluid changed in Sept. 2002 with 65,350 miles by a local Ford dealer with Mobil 1 transmission fluid. It now has 103,169 miles on it. So, it has been 11 years, 38,000 miles. It would probably be my cheapest remedy.

Thanks,
Norm

[cre]

Check for stored diagnostic codes as well: http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...ection=AT&P=13

When you get the fluid changed make sure the transmission fluid cooler is getting flushed too. I can recall if there's a thermostat on it or not, if there is the cooler won't get cleaned out unless the fluid is hot or the thermostat is stuck open (another possible issue).

[MA70-3.0GT]

From what I recall with driving mine, (getting on couple of years ago now ) with the autobox, from cold the gears shifted differently & when I looked it up I seem to remember that the gearbox ECU had an input from the coolant temp. sensor so that it kept the revs down until the motor started to warm through...

Could be a JDM only thing since mine's an import, but makes sense really, you don't thrash your manual cars till the motor's warm so the electronics do the same for the auto?

As far as the OP's question goes, I guess it's a manual box as you talk about the clutch?
That being the case, can you put it in first with the engine off & then start the engine with the clutch pressed? It's possible the clutch or hydraulic system has a problem but I'd think it's worth checking the gearbox has the correct grade oil in too as a heavier oil wouldn't help when cold...
Also, this is the reason why you should generally make sure you get to view a potential purchase from cold, if it's been warmed up there's ALWAYS a good reason they've done it apart from "popping to the shop just before you arrived"...