Camry 2013 Shifting from N to D Takes Effort - Jittery - What Could Be The Problem?

2013 Camry Altise. 98k kms on the odometer. Always serviced on time at the Toyota dealership. No leaks visible (ever) under the car and has been a pretty good ride.

Moved interstate and since the car mover delivered my car I have noticed the gear stick shifting feels not as smooth as it was - only when shifting from N to D. When moving from N to D with the usual force of habit/hand, the gear stick just sits in a vacuum (can easily shift it to its right for the manual speed mode though). When I apply some force, it feels as if the teeth on the gear go grrrr and are jittery/grinding/not smooth - almost as if something is stuck between the teeth. Does anyone know what's going on? It does shift to D and drives smooth.

If its simple enough and someone can point me to a video or give me the steps I can attempt to fix on my own. Its about 12k kms away from its next service and since its a stand by car it doesn't get driven around so much - so if this doesn't seem like a problem that will get worse over time, I'd rather save some money having this specific problem looked at and rather have this attended to at its next service. But I feel uncomfortable enough that am happy to fix this myself if its not too complex, but will need detailed instructions if someone can please do so.

Comments

  • +4

    Only 98k the shifter is probably still just breaking in

  • +8

    My bets are on the delivery driver, must have stuffed up the gearbox while loading or unloading the car. To start with try transmission fluid and filter change from a Transmission specialist or your trustworthy mechanic.

    • +12

      You should be ashamed of yourself.

    • -5

      Please tell me you copy and pasted this post
      😱 , and these pagans down voted you too !

      • +7

        It's AI you goose. Incorrect AI at that.

        • -1

          That's Ganda to you .

    • +2

      Sorry could you repeat that

    • +2

      Do you even understand the dribble you posted?

  • -2

    You are not shifting any "gears" when moving an automatic transmission shifter. You may have an issue with the shifter itself, perhaps someone was a bit tough with it.

    • yep, could be worn linkages
      But nobody is going to solve the problem here.
      The only answer is fior OP to take it to a mechanic

  • +5

    Maybe something fell in there and is stopping it from moving. A rouge stick of lip gloss would do it. Also check under the bonut for something jamming it at that end.

    • +6

      Rogue rouge lipstick 💄

      • Get the wife to find it.

  • +1

    Maybe it's the brake switch?

  • When I spill strawberry thickshakes down the shifter it gets harder to shift between all drive modes, including N to D..
    Not sure if this is the case for you.

  • All the crumbs from my KFC do the same.

  • After the abovementioned checks take it to a good auto trans mechanic-possible bands work required?

  • ASSuming nothing was about to Fail before/as the mover got it, and this is purely coincidental since the move.
    Also think…. what or how could tying the vehicle down on a trailer hurt the Trans. Have you lost a FO or such inside?

    It sounds mechanical - cable related.
    At the Shifter in the console, or anywhere to the transmission. It is highly unlikely to be anything fluid or internal related.

    It is not "it feels as if the teeth on the gear go grrrr and are jittery/grinding/not smooth - almost as if something is stuck between the teeth. "… absolutely No Teeth involved there.

    I doubt very much anyone asking 'what is the problem' has the nuts to repair it, if they can not diagnose it.

    But, just for you, remove the gear lever knob, remove the console and clean/inspect.
    Then, remove cable at either end and move cable thru its length, see if binding is mechanical in 'T'bar', cable, or linkage at trans. Move the Change lever/Quadrant thru full gear range as well with cable still disconnected.

    Now, you have all the info to diagnose the issue. And a mil says not fluid related.

    Online vids/diagnosis is only good if you have that EXACT as described problem on that EXACT model in that EXACT Video.

    But then again, a quick chat/show a trans specialist will give you his/her 2 cents worth if they have seen this before. Probably where you should have gone first.

  • -3

    As always, today on A1 I saw at least 10 broken down toyotos on emergency lines, did not see even one single broken down German car on emergency line.

    • -1

      Those "toyotos" haven’t broken down — they’ve just stopped for a nap, knowing full well they’ll start right back up. The broken-down German cars? They didn’t even make it out of the driveway

      • -1

        they’ve just stopped for a nap, knowing full well they’ll start right back up.

        Lol :) Yeah yeah for nap all were trying to fix their engines.

        The broken-down German cars? They didn’t even make it out of the driveway

        Even I stopped twice to offer my help, first for cemry's engine oil leak, second for prada's hole in radiator. They said in effect "Mate these are crap jap cars, not like your German car'. Lol you are funny! :)

  • @tik tok, Did you get any advice or fix for this from Mechanic or by yourself?

    • No, been busy with other things.

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