03 SE I4 AT slip + runs hot
 

Hi there, new to this forum but not to forums in general. We just bought a 2003 Camry SE 4cyl 4AT PZEV w/ 102K on it. We owned a 2002 Camry LE 4cyl 4AT non-PZEV w/ 135K previous to the SE. There are some quirks that I'd like to clear up regarding the new car that I think are somewhat abnormal.

First of all, for the first couple 1-2 shifts on a semi-cold start (sitting for maybe a an hour+, also happens on a cold morning start), there seems to be a hesitation and a flare. Initially I thought it was just the PZEV programming trying to delay the shift to help warm up the engine, but then this morning I noticed that after it shifted, there seemed to be a 100-200RPM flare as well. Once you get past those couple shifts, the transmission shifts perfectly fine, no hesitation, no flare. It never happens 2-3 shifts either, just 1-2. Is that normal for a PZEV car? I changed the ATF once already but didn't flush it, but it didn't really help.

Second, the car runs hotter than our old Camry did. Our old Camry ran at the 3rd tickmark from the bottom (on the temp gauge), but the new one runs at 1 tickmark higher, at the 4th one. I attributed this to the PZEV running hotter for better emissions. It has never overheated. Is that normal too? I suspect that it is.

Thanks for any responses y'all

If this car uses the same trans as the standard model flare was an issue. Flare being the trans overspeeding during a shift. For the standard car the Toyota fix was to have the dealer reflash the trans computer.

The dealer may be able to check Toyota service bulletons and determine if one or more apply to model.

Not sure what a normal temp reading is on this car. If the temp gauge never varies would suspect this is a normal indication.

Thanks for the reply, do you know where I could get the TSB from or any more information regarding the flare issue? Also, do you have any idea if the flare is bad for the tranny? If it's not really doing much harm, I'd just leave it...I just want to make sure my tranny isn't gonna go out anytime soon, otherwise it's going back on the used car market.

If the temp gauge never varies would suspect this is a normal indication. thread insert helicoil
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