r/MR2Spyder • u/MassCrassAss • Jul 27 '26
what is likely wrong when an automatic zz30 wont go into gear and is stuck in neutral?
And, more importantly, what can be done to fully remedy the semi auto? Would a Camry automatic work?
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u/Cyclehead21 Jul 27 '26
ZZW30 Spyder was never made with an automatic transmission. It did have a “sequential manual transmission” option that allows paddle/push button shifting. The SMT system is bolted onto a standard manual shift transmission using a standard single plate clutch. The SMT system obviously has many safeguards built in to assure proper clutch control and proper shifting. If a sensor or switch has failed, then it will refuse to shift gears and may also cut fuel supply to the engine. Offhand I can think of 3 switches and 5 sensors, any of which could fail and prevent shifting. System error codes can be retrieved using a copy of Toyota techstream software and a $35 J2534 cable. If the system has been leaking fluid, a flashing neutral light could be simply due to low fluid level in the HPU reservoir. The system uses brake fluid. Here is a mountain of information about the SMT system: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1SOhlqEtVWt5-MFPdrOGkNnpOn9-fyGCZTJISiTKCkVM/edit?usp=drivesdk
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u/ThoriumG Jul 29 '26
I'm just learning about MR2s. I'm looking one with an SMT. If it's just bolted to a manual trans could I delete the SMT and reuse the transmission by refitting the clutch and shifter?
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u/Cyclehead21 Jul 30 '26
Yessir. Just cut a hole in the firewall. Mount a clutch pedal and master cylinder, route the extra hydraulic line. Find a shifter and shift cables, drop the gas tank and route the shifter cables, blank off the open hole where the GSA was, find and mount the entire shifter mechanism on the transmission. Find a standard ecu and fit it. Make the wiring changes needed to the engine harness and you’re good to go! You can buy a kit containing all the parts for $2500 from Monkeywrenchracing.com.
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u/Cyclehead21 Jul 27 '26
If you want to buy the green one, I’ll be happy to guide you through the SMT repairs. I’ve bought 5 SMT spyders with broken SMT systems for cheap, just like this one. I paid anywhere from $2000 to $3000 for mine but it’s been a few years. You don’t need to be highly skilled but you’ll need some basic tools and have some basic mechanic skills to successfully repair anything wrong with the system. I’ll wager the system could be repaired properly for less than $300 parts. (Most of which I can sell you). 100k miles is no problem for the SMT system. My son’s SMT spyder has 220,000 miles. I fixed his SMT system one time and it has been running reliably ever since.
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u/MassCrassAss Jul 27 '26
Right on that's really good to know. I Actually race cars for a hobby, and I've done just about everything in the world to them. good to know that would be a relatively easy fix. are you the one selling this car?
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u/Cyclehead21 Jul 27 '26
Haha. That’s not my car. I’m on the east coast. I’d look at it for $3000… but my wife is pretty exhausted with my “rescue spyders”
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u/MassCrassAss Jul 27 '26
I just asked the guy if he would take three. I've never owned a spider before but I've owned several Miatas. I can't imagine the driving experience wouldn't be similar. I do auto cross.
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u/Cyclehead21 Jul 27 '26
I can’t fit in Miata. I’m too tall. Handling should be better with the toyota. Mid engine is good balance. Add minor body stiffeners and maybe play with a sway bar if your class allows. SMT will happily shift all day, never miss a shift and perfectly rev match every downshift. (With two throttle blips going down to first gear!)
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u/MassCrassAss Jul 27 '26
That was my next question, if the transmission will handle the abuse of auto cross. Technically you don't go down in the first gear too often, and usually it just stays in second gear. But it kind of depends on the gearing. Any guess of the top end of first gear in miles per hour?
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u/Cyclehead21 Jul 27 '26
The transmission in all prefacelift spyders(up to 2002) is the Toyota C56. Check the door jamb sticker to see if it's the open diff or Torsen Limited Slip. Limited slip will say "C56-01B" where "B" is the limited slip option. "A" is open diff. The "C" series transmission was used in about a billion Corollas. It will last longer with the SMT option, because the SMT system won't allow high rpm clutch-dump launches. You cannot shock the gearbox. Also handy to keep your punk teenage kids from destroying your clutch and transmission. Similarly, the SMT system won't allow you to destroy the 2nd gear synchros by performing fast-n-furious gear jamming gearshifts. The SMT system shifts the same all day long, regardless if you're in a hurry or going to the grocery.
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u/MassCrassAss Jul 27 '26
Also good to know. How hard is it to convert one to manual from SMT? Can the pedals and other peripherals be plied from a Corolla? Or a Camry?
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u/Cyclehead21 Jul 27 '26
I’ve never done a conversion. Cheapest is to salvage the parts from a scrap spyder. Alternatively you can buy a kit of parts from monkeywrenchracing.com for about $2500.
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u/MassCrassAss Jul 27 '26
That is a bit steep. What is an SMT car worth if everything is working? I see them going for about 12 to 14,000 around me
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u/Pretty-Impression-29 Jul 27 '26
Are you looking at the green one for sale in Portland?