Engine info in Sig

Transmission has a leak. It will not shift right. I have to go 3K to 4K rpm to get 30-35 MPH. I am guessing the transmission needs an overhaul?

I also noticed that I have to make sure the shifter is all the way up in P for it to start.

I'm thinking of replacing the torque converter since I have no idea on the history of the car, except that the previous owner just kept feeding it tranny fluid while driving it. Along with that it most likely needs a rebuild.

With a rebuild kit being less than $200, would it be worth me spending the time to rebuild it rather than spend $1600 to have it rebuilt? I could get a re-manufactured transmission for around that price.

Someone mentioned a manual transmission that was available. How much work is it to convert it? I would imagine I would need the pedal as well as the cable (or hydraulic setup), the ecu, shifter, and linkage.

Try to start your car in Neutral.
if it starts normally, sounds to me like you have a.... cant think of the word....
its the mechanism that tells your computer which gear you are in.
something like a clutch safety switch but for autos.

Neutral safety switch. It's a safety thing, it's supposed to only start in Park or Neutral.

As far as the other not having enough fluid the transmission won't shift properly, that or a bad solenoid will also cause issues.

The solenoid internal to the transmission? How would I troubleshoot it? I'm guessing one of the main seals went bad so that needs to be replaced for sure.

I found a video on checking the solenoids so was able to answer my own question

I called a place about a transmission rebuild. They told me the would need the car because they have to hook a computer up to it since the Celica transmission is computer controlled. He said Toyota was a little ahead of its time with the 95 being computer controlled and because of this, bench work to rebuild a transmission wouldn't be feasible.

Is this entirely true? I haven't seen anywhere that had mentioned this.

I don't know about the automatic for sure, but I know there is a different ECU for the automatic and the manual. But I don't see why any sort of controls would make anything 'not worth rebuilding'.
Of course when you're taking it to a shop ran by people you really don't know They would no doubt charge you a ridiculous amount of money to rebuild it. Unless you know somebody personally who knows how to rebuild a transmission you're better off finding a good used one.
I found a nice manual for $350, an auto shouldn't be much more. Between the FS threads on here and the local salvage yards you should be able to come up with one. I wouldn't look at a U-pick-it kind of salvage yard for a transmission but you can search the inventories of the local places online.
But I'd look for it yourself, don't let the guys at the shop find it for you or they are gonna mark it up more. And if you can find somebody that knows what they are doing it's only about 4 hours of work to put it in.

That's another possibility, could be the computer. Just another reason I hate automatics, only a bajillion things can go wrong with a bajillion right answers... Have you tried shifting "manually" by starting in Low, then bumping into Second, and finally bumping into Drive?

Also, the Camry and a few other vehicles should have the same transmission. So it shouldn't be that hard to find a replacement.

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I have tried shifting manually. First is somewhat okay but it doesn't make much difference if I shift manually or if I leave it in drive. In 2nd it would be about the same as if I had it in D

Is the light on your Cluster that says O/D OFF illuminated?

and does it turn on when pressing the button? Just because the bulb could be blown and you might have it on.

Also check the cable that goes from the transmission to the Throttle body. it could be too tight and the transmission thinks you're at 1/2 open throttle when at 1/4 which would cause the car to shift at higher RPMs

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Thanks I will check the cable. The light does turn on and off when the button is pressed.

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Speaking of neutral safety switch, found out that one of the wires was melted from a bad CB radio install someone did. I have to solder in new wires for that and the cigarette lighter. I cut the bad wires then ended up with the key stuck in the ignition until I unhooked the battery.