I've had my 1998 Toyota Camry for about 2 years and noticed this problem about a year ago. The car starts and runs just fine, but the shifting is all messed up. Once I start approaching 3-6k RPMs the transmission just won't shift into second. If I get the RPMs into that 3-6k range and then let off the gas a little, it will shift up, but I suspect that it is actually shifting into 3rd gear. This is because I can't apply much pressure to the gas pedal or it will downshift back into 1st (shooting my RPMs into the red) This causes a big problem when merging into traffic, as I can't accelerate fast enough in what appears to be 3rd gear. A similar problem (though not as urgent) occurs in the higher gears (I'm not sure how many there are, but when I cruise at higher speeds on the highway, it often will not shift up to save gas mileage)

I took it to the local dealer about a year ago, and they performed

-transmission flush
-refill transmission fluid
-transkit (this cost 36 dollars, but I'm not sure exactly what it entails as I'm just looking at the receipt)
-Labor was 2 hours (130 bucks)

This seemed to solve the problem, but it came back after a couple months (around March) I have noticed that the problem only occurs when it starts to get warmer. During the winter it never acts this way, and in Springtime it comes and goes depending on the weather (warm=problem)

I got a free diagnostic check at Autozone (since the check engine light came on this time) and it was P0755. I couldn't find the translation for Toyota, but figured it would be similar to Lexus, which is this:

Shift solenoid B malfunction - SSV SL2
Probable causes
1. Shift Solenoid stuck open
2. Blocked oil passage

I plan on putting the car up on the ramps to see if there is anything blatantly obvious going on down there, but if possible I'd like to fix this myself. I'm certainly not going back to the dealer...any suggestions? I've checked the oil and trans fluid and both are a-ok.

Thanks!

I suggest you go to a transmission shop to have it checked out. Gone are the days when a little shift mechanism adjustment could cure a delayed shift. It sounds like an internal leak or a bad shift solenoid. The solenoid is probably on the outside of the transmission, which would make replacement relatively easy and inexpensive, labor-wise. You need to have it checked out before you burn up the internal seals and need a complete overhaul. Good luck. Hy. P.S. Let us know what you find out and how it's repaired.