95 Screeching sound on reverse gear engage

Dear all

Since yesterday, I have started to encounter a strange issue on my toyota camry 1995 LE. As soon as I put the car in reverse gear, i get a whining noise, which dies down as soon as the gear shift is complete. I can hear a very mild screech again, when my car shifts from 2nd to the 3rd gear. My car is automatic transmission, has 103K miles on it and just 3k miles ago I had got the transmission oil changed.

I took the car to 2 mechanics, and both said all they can say is that " there is something wrong internal to the transmission - a worn clutch plate maybe". Also, they needed to open up the transmission, and will be able to figure out the issue only then.

I have really maintained the car well, and I feel before i pay in money just to open up the transmission , is there any way i can verify the problem atleast in some other way.

Your input is much appreciated.

Thanks
Andy

Unfortunatly the only other way to verify this is when it won't move.This is a fairly common failure warning.

Noise from a transmission is nature's way of telling you something's wrong. Get it fixed before you are stranded somewhere.

Thanks guys for your helpful advice. This has started to happen only 2 days ago. i have 2 follow up questions -

1. How safe is the car to drive on the highway, based on the condition i described. This is because my mechanic is around 18 miles away from where i live.

2. Any ideas - would a transmission flush help, or is it a physical issue with the transmission - bearing, clutch plates etc.

Any help is really really appreciated.

Sounds like a physical problem to me. Don't mess with it, don't flush it. Get it fixed. It will drive for a while, you just can't tell how long.