Transmission Problems for 1994 Toyota Camry - P0500 - P0720

I believe that I may have burned out the bands on my transmission. Reverse works (relatively well) but none of the forward gear selections do. I get the codes P0500 and P0720 which on their own leads me to believe that my vehicle speed sensor or circuit wiring could be malfunctioning. Question is, would a malfunctioning VSS cause the transmission to not operate or is it more likely that a busted transmission can cause the VSS to not operate and generate the codes?

sure, on chryslers and some fords when they loose a speed signal reference or range switch they won't shift, sometimes though if the tranny is slipping enough it generates the rear speed sensor code because it's looking at the output not going fast enough. if the circuit is good to the sensor then you could try a sensor but if the fluid is discoloured then it's best to have the the tranny checked by a pro

I have a 1994 Toyota Camry XLE that has been sitting for 3 months. I was going to have it shipped to me but whe it was recently started up it also would go into reverse but none of the forward gears. I am wondering if this could be the problem. I am in Orlando and my car is in Seattle... before I take it to a Transmission pro I'm wondering if this could be something simpler and much less expensive. Please let me know what you find.

Thanks

is there enough fluid in it?

My friend checked the fluid while engine was running and levels were above the normal level but he thought it was probably because the fluid could not be circulated to the gears. He was able to go into reverse but no forward gears. The fluid has always been clean and I had the transmission flushed about 6 months ago. A note: the car has always been in good operating condition and has only 116,000 miles. This was unexpected. My friend said I should junk it...but I think it needs a second opinion.

Was the engine at operating temperature when attempting to run it through the gears and checking fluid level?

Three months of sitting in Seattle at this time of year could cause condensation and oxidation at the connections...I'd check all connections/wiring.

Hope this helps and post back.

I'd get it towed to a tranny shop!

The dealer manual states to "Disconnect the electrical Connector" This is located just below the Battery tray area and is visible on top of the trans. Two, use the shifter as a manual. Start in Neutral. Press break and shift to Low, then proceed to up s**t as the speed reaches the appropriate level or RPMs reach about 2700. The car will shift slowly and first gear will feel sluggish but if the problem is the electronics it WILL SHIFT. If the problem is the Mechanical Side like gears or Pump then it WON'T. Good luck. Hopefully its just a dirty contact or bad sensor.

The transmission should still drive and shift(though erratically) even with speed sensor issues. Has it had shifting problems in thepast? Has it been driven hard? The VSS codes shouldn't prevent forward motion. The fact that reverse works indicates fluid is pumping so your friend is wrong. It sounds like you have 2 problems. Smell the fluid, Does it smell burnt? If it smells burnt=trans has been hot and clutches were slipping. Comps right, you should take it into a good independent shop because this is probably out of your league.

Well an update here.
I did have it towed to a dealer and he hooked it up to the diagnostics machine and it read an internal failure in the transmission. They say they can replace it with a used one for $1000 ofr the transmission and $750 for installation. As I said before I am in Florida and my car is in Seattle. The value of it is about $K when it's running well and frankly I'm over it. Do I pay the $1800 for the repair and sell it there? Or move on. I wish I could sell it as is. Any ideas?
Thanks

Its a 94 XLE Camry with 117,000 miles in good condition and has been well cared for except for the sitting for three months.

if it were me I'd do the repair depending on the warranty on the used tranny and there work!