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2096 Toyota Camry with P0732 Code: Gear 1 Ratio Issue After Transmission Rebuild and Shift Kit Installation

Model: Intrepid 96 ES Fault Code: P0732 Posted: 2008-04-12 00:52

Hi everyone! I recently rebuilt my 1996 Toyota Camry transmission (A604/41TE) and have less than 1,000 km on it. The rebuild included the A604/41TE Shift Kit by TransGo, which is also compatible with A606 and 42RLE transmissions (more info here: http://www.transmissionpartssales.com/a...42rle.aspx). After installation, I started experiencing a strange issue when starting the car. When I shift into Drive (D), the transmission doesn't respond — it feels like it's in neutral. The vehicle won’t move forward or reverse. Occasionally, after pressing the gas pedal, the transmission responds normally and operates correctly. However, once I stop and try to restart driving, the issue returns. This behavior only occurs when the transmission fluid is cold, and it resolves itself within a few minutes of operation. My mechanic confirmed that this is consistent with the TransGo shift kit’s design — which increases pressure in the piston accumulator to enable faster shifting between 1st and 2nd gear. I’ve also noticed that the vehicle enters LIMP MODE at times due to this issue, but turning off the car and restarting usually resolves it. The problem is intermittent and not constant. My questions are: - Can a TransGo shift kit like this actually cause transmission shifting problems such as P0732 (Gear 1 incorrect ratio)? - Could faulty sensors be responsible? I understand that sensors were likely not replaced during the rebuild, even though they worked before. - Or could it be related to the transmission oil pump? The original pump was used but in better-than-average condition? I’m especially concerned about fluid levels and temperature-related performance. I’ve read that cold fluid can cause shifting issues due to reduced viscosity — which may explain why the problem appears only when the oil is cold. Thanks for any insights! I don’t speak English very well, so please forgive any confusion in my description.

Related fault codes
P0732
Comments (5)
Anonymous 2008-04-12 06:49

It's possible you have an electrical issue — speed sensors in the transmission should be replaced during a rebuild. Check if your transmission fluid level is within the recommended range and ensure no sensor wiring or connections are damaged.

Anonymous 2008-04-13 00:01

Thanks so much! I found that my transmission cooling fan was leaking. After replacing it with a new one and adding more transmission fluid due to low levels, everything now works perfectly again!

Anonymous 2008-04-13 07:48

Transmission cooler leakage? That seems unlikely — fans don’t typically leak oil. Could this be a misdiagnosis?

Anonymous 2008-04-14 02:08

Yes, the mechanic noticed a small leak near the radiator during inspection. The old transmission cooler was leaking oil onto the chassis. My girlfriend has a Neon with the same issue — it was caused by poor maintenance and lack of regular servicing. In her case, the leak came from the transmission itself because the car had never been properly maintained. Before the rebuild, I also experienced this problem with low fluid levels and visible leaks from the transmission. Adding fluid helped temporarily, but leaks persisted. After the rebuild, the issue continued — only now I realized it was likely due to a low oil level in the cooler. The small amount of oil left in the cooler was leaking through the transmission cooler assembly when it wasn’t circulating properly. This explains why the problem worsens when the fluid is cold and why shifting becomes erratic. After replacing the cooler, the issue has been fully resolved.

Anonymous 2008-04-14 16:38

So the root cause was actually the transmission cooler leak — that makes sense now!