car hesitates from a stop (updated)

[OS]

heh, I think I've caused damage to my transmission.

When the car is cold, starting out from a stop, the car hesitates for a second, then goes. The engine hesitates a bit and then goes. The problem disappears when the car has been running for a while. Suggestions?

 

[The Stigenator]

i dont know what the problem is but most tranny problems in an auto deal with the clunk sound when shifitng gears..(and between D-R-N).

I would think your running a lean condition or your car needs a tune up. Check the standard stuff and then take it in if you cant find problems. If its only when cold then warm up engine.. but i think its a lean burn condition.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy
i dont know what the problem is but most tranny problems in an auto deal with the clunk sound when shifitng gears..(and between D-R-N).

No clunk sound.

I would think your running a lean condition or your car needs a tune up. Check the standard stuff and then take it in if you cant find problems. If its only when cold then warm up engine.. but i think its a lean burn condition.

Funny you mention that, my dad took a look and he says there is an extra sound coming from the engine bay. I don't hear it though. I really need to start driving around without pounding my stereo. I usually let the car idle for maybe half a minute before I drive off.

I have 800 miles of warranty left on the car. :Q:Q

Thx manjul.

 

[Beau]

Fuel Filter, clogged injectors.

 

[Zenmervolt]

What kind of car?

ZV

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Beau6183
Fuel Filter, clogged injectors.

On a car with only 35K miles?? :Q

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: OuterSquare

Originally posted by: Beau6183
Fuel Filter, clogged injectors.

On a car with only 35K miles?? :Q

Supposed to change the fuel filter every 20k, and yes, 35k can give you build up on your injectors.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
What kind of car?

ZV

It's a 2000 prizm. They're mechanically identical to corollas.

 

[thebestMAX]

Usually a fuel related problem. If an old car with a carb, then accelerator pump is probably worn or misadjusted or has a non functioning choke. If a really old car it could also be a broken disributor spark advancement weight spring.

If a FI car, then clogged filter or even bad injectors. Hope it isnt the computer.

 

[PG]

The engine hesitates or the engine revs up and car doesn't move for a split second or two? If the engine revs up but the car doesn't move check the tranny fluid, you might be a bit low.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Beau6183

Originally posted by: OuterSquare

Originally posted by: Beau6183
Fuel Filter, clogged injectors.

On a car with only 35K miles?? :Q

Supposed to change the fuel filter every 20k, and yes, 35k can give you build up on your injectors.

I just looked in my manual and it makes no mention of a fuel filter replacement. I guess I can try that though since it's an inexpensive part.

Thx.

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: PG
The engine hesitates or the engine revs up and car doesn't move for a split second or two? If the engine revs up but the car doesn't move check the tranny fluid, you might be a bit low.

The engine hesitates.

 

[OS]

This just taken out from my haynes repair manual;

Note: The fuel filter on 1998 and later models is integral with the fuel pump module in the fuel tank; there is no routine maintenance interval for fuel filter replacement on these models.

 

[Noriaki]

low tranny fluid can cause an auto transmission to fail to engage.

Due to the way a torque converter works, if you don't have enough fluid, things won't "hook up".

This is particuarlly bad when cold, and very easy to get checked.

Or, if you've got 800klicks of warranty left, why not just take it in and ask them?

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Noriaki
low tranny fluid can cause an auto transmission to fail to engage.

Due to the way a torque converter works, if you don't have enough fluid, things won't "hook up".

This is particuarlly bad when cold, and very easy to get checked.

Or, if you've got 800klicks of warranty left, why not just take it in and ask them?

Yeah I will. It's a pain though, the only walk in time is 7AM on saturday so that means I have to get up at 6 to get there.

It's one of those semi-phantom problems though that I know exactly where/when it happens and someone else might not be able to find it.

I had a problem with this really annoying squeak under my seat and two service visits couldn't fix it. I later fixed it myself when I found out it was caused by plastic trim pieces moving around when the seat was in a certain position.

 

[ElFenix]

you need to press on the right one.

 

[OS]

Gas cap was loose. Problem seems to be gone now.

Thx guys, wouldn't have thought fuel related on my own.


gas cap: 1
outersquare: 0

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: OuterSquare
Gas cap was loose. Problem seems to be gone now.

Thx guys, wouldn't have thought fuel related on my own.


gas cap: 1
outersquare: 0

Umm... Well that's new. I have seen a loose gas cap cause the check engine light ocme on, but never cause a hesitation problem. I will add that to my knoledge base Keep up updated!

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: Evadman


Umm... Well that's new. I have seen a loose gas cap cause the check engine light ocme on, but never cause a hesitation problem. I will add that to my knoledge base Keep up updated!

Yeah I've never heard of this sort of thing either. All I know is that I turned the gas cap until it clicked this time and the problem disappeared.

I'll test the car again tonight when it's butt freezing outside.

 

[JC]

my dad took a look and he says there is an extra sound coming from the engine bay.

An extra sound?? From your symptoms, I would say the extra sound is a vacuum leak, causing a lean condition, which causes the cold hesitation. Or possibly the EGR valve is open at idle, when it shouldn't be open, also causing a lean condition.

I've never heard of a loose gas cap causing such problems, but what the hell! I get the feeling <arnold voice> It'll be back....</arnold voice>

JC

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: JC

my dad took a look and he says there is an extra sound coming from the engine bay.

An extra sound?? From your symptoms, I would say the extra sound is a vacuum leak, causing a lean condition, which causes the cold hesitation. Or possibly the EGR valve is open at idle, when it shouldn't be open, also causing a lean condition.

I've never heard of a loose gas cap causing such problems, but what the hell! I get the feeling <arnold voice> It'll be back....</arnold voice>

JC

Yeah I'm gonna keep an eye out, cause I'm running out of warranty mileage.

 

[Francodman]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
you need to press on the right one.

ROFLMAO!!!!