Full overhaul kit for the Toyota A540E and A540H four-speed with 23 frictions, 22 steels, and the complete seal and gasket set.
An early V6 Camry, a 1990-1991 Lexus ES250 or a 1989-1991 Camry All-Trac that chatters on takeoff, engages reverse slowly when cold, or slips going into third is a typical A540E overhaul candidate. This master rebuild kit gives you a complete clutch pack set for the A540E and the all-wheel-drive A540H: 23 friction plates, 22 steel plates, the overhaul gasket and seal set, the rubber lip seals, the sealing rings and the cushion rubber for the drums. Listing cross-references are B065820E, W065880E and W065881E.
Toyota built the A540E as a stronger version of the four-cylinder A140E, and Import Service reports it went into every V6 Camry built from February 1988. It is a four-speed transaxle with an overdrive unit at the far end of the case. The ECT computer runs two shift solenoids: number 1 on and number 2 off for first, both on for second, number 1 off and number 2 on for third, and both off for fourth. Every gear then depends on a clutch or brake pack holding under pressure. Because this kit includes the steels as well as the frictions, every pack goes back together with fresh, flat plates instead of reused steels that may already be heat-marked.
Import Service ties several of those symptoms on this family to worn pump and drum bushings rather than to the clutches alone, which is why the bushings need checking during the rebuild.
Separate controls from hard parts first. Import Service describes a quick check for this Toyota family: unplug the ECT connector and the transaxle should take off in its highest gear. A solenoid that is healthy clicks firmly, and one that sticks can make the unit shift fine at light throttle but slip under load. Our guide to testing a transmission solenoid with a multimeter covers the resistance check. Then compare a fluid sample with our ATF color and smell chart.
The listing covers 1988-1991 Camry 2.0L and 2.5L, 1992-1993 Camry 2.2L and 3.0L, 1990-1991 Lexus ES250 2.5L, 1992-1993 Lexus ES300 3.0L and 1998-2000 Sienna 3.0L, plus the A540H. Be careful with four-cylinder Camrys: the 2.0L and 2.2L normally used the A140E, which takes our A140E master rebuild kit. The A540E belongs behind the V6 engines, and the A540H appears in the 1989-1991 Camry All-Trac. Read the transaxle code on the tag or the door sticker, or send us your year and VIN. A version for the later V6 years is our A540E kit for Camry V6, ES300 and Sienna, and more Aisin-built units are on our Aisin parts page.
For routine care after the rebuild, see our Camry and Tacoma transmission service guide.
| Fits | Toyota A540E and A540H 4-speed automatic transaxle |
| Vehicles | Camry 2.0L/2.5L 1988-1991, Camry 2.2L/3.0L 1992-1993, Lexus ES250 2.5L 1990-1991, Lexus ES300 3.0L 1992-1993, Sienna 3.0L 1998-2000 |
| Clutch pack | 23 friction plates, 22 steel plates |
| Also includes | Overhaul gasket and seal set, lip seals, sealing rings, cushion rubber |
| Cross reference | B065820E, W065880E, W065881E |
| Item weight | 7.5 lb |
| Package dimensions | 12 x 6 x 6 in |
Usually not. Four-cylinder Camrys of these years normally used the A140E, not the A540E. Check the transaxle code on the tag or the door sticker, or send us your VIN. Our A140E master kit covers those cars.
The listing gives 23 friction plates and 22 steel plates, plus the overhaul gasket and seal set, lip seals, sealing rings and the cushion rubber.
Yes. The listing says the A540H uses the same clutch and seal package as the A540E.
Bushings are not listed. Inspect the pump and drum bushings during the teardown, because worn bushings are a known cause of overdrive and forward clutch failures in this family.
Yes. A sticking shift solenoid can cause slipping under load. Unplugging the ECT connector should make the transaxle take off in its highest gear, which helps separate an electrical fault from a mechanical one.
