1. I have a Toyota AE91 Sprinter SE 1989 5E engine. Even driving at 80kph it DOES NOT engage the overdrive. What could be the problem. 2. In the morning it gets hard start, but starts OK for the rest of the day. Please advise what is the problem.

Start the engine and warm it a bit, find the transmission dipstick and check the fluid level. Pu in fluid to bring it to full mark then check it for going into forward gears. If that works, find the leak and fix it.

If it is flashing then it is a malfunction indicator. Think of it as a "check transmission light." It could be anything from a loose connection in the shifter to a bad transmission. How does it drive? Is it shifting into overdrive?

Hello. Welcome to FixYa. I am Toyota Ed, and I will be assisting you today.

The Overdrive function allows the transmission to shift an extra time, sort of like selecting 5th gear in a 5 speed manual transmission. The Overdrive, when used, will save you gas, as the engine is no longer maintaining a high RPM at normal driving speed. Look at the tach whilst driving about 45 mph, and engage/disengage the OD. You will see the tach RPM raise when the OD is off.
More RPM = lower fuel mileage,

The ECT is a different circumstance. The ECT button is used primarily when you have a heavy load in the car, or are towing something. All the ECT button does, when it is engaged, is lengthen the shift points as the transmission upshifts. Normally, the transaxle will shift into 2nd gear at 18-21 mph. When the ECT is engaged, the transaxle will shift in the area of 22 -24 mph. In short, the ECT just makes the time to the 1-2 and the 2-3 upshift longer, to compensate for the additional load being carried/towed.

I hope my assistance answers your question.

Thanks for choosing FixYa today!

is the engine light on? does it **** or engage in drive with a thud?

bad relay switch

does it sputter and kick while it is shutting down? This sounds like a timing problem. Your timing may be to far advanced.
To fix this, there is one single bolt at the base of the distributer that holds it in position. It will probably be a 1/2 in bolt or 9/16ths but being toyota may be 10 or 11 in metric. Put the emergency brake on and make sure it is neutral or park if automatic. Start the car. While it is running loosen the bolt at the distributer base and turn it counter clockwise just a hair or two. You should mark the spot with chalk or crayon where the distributer is located before you move it incase you need to return it to the original position. Listen to the idle while you turn the distributer to lower the idle just a little but making sire it still runs smoothly. The car should be warmed up before doing this. Take it for a drive and make sure it was not turned to far and you still have a smooth drive with no missing or hesitations or wanting to quit while stopped.
If this does not cure the problem then put the distributer back to it's original spot that you marked. It may be an ignition switch going bad on you and is allowing electricity to continue to flow to the coil after the key is off. The switch may need to be replaced.
I hope this is of some help, Keep me informed, The Raz

drive with it engaged.your engine will work less on the highway and give you better gas mileage.the switch is there for towing or when you need that extra pulling power because it stays in third gear.

The ETC switch is a transmission control device. When it is not active, the transmissions shifts normally. When the ETC is engaged, it alters the shift points.
Example: the 1-2 upshift occurs normally between 18-20 mph. Now, say you are towing something, or are carrying a heavy load...engage the ETC, and the trans computer will "hold" the 1-2 upshift until 22-24 mph. It is just for that, prolonging the shift points, due to load.

The switch on the side of the shifter is for the Overdrive. Engaged (the OD light is off) the transmission shifts into overdrive. This saves you gas. When the button is dis-engaged (the OD OFF light is on) , the transmission does NOT shift into overdrive. It is best to leave the overdrive ON, and the ECT OFF to obtain maximum fuel mileage. I hope this has answered your question. Please feel free to comment back if you have any other questions. Thanks for chosing FixYa for assistance.

Yes, all po codes are a default code, you need to reset the computer by removing the positive cabel for 10 mins.

Hi. 2005 Corolla CE. It's normal. They tend to do this when upshifting form 1st to 2nd gear. No timing chain readjustment needed.

96 Corolla. Overdrive not working properly, if not engaging after 45mph constantly. If driving on the city, is normal, but not after 45mph, when the car is trying to engage overdrive in order to save gas and preserve the trans gears. If not able to get help at the dealership, find another one and explain them the situation.