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YACT: Car acting weird as I accerate

C

crystal

Platinum Member
Car is '98 Camry. 108K - auto. Oil change every 3.5k - 4.5k. Last major tune-up was around 70k.

It has no problem start and run. But recently, every time I accerated to merge into a hwy, there was very little acceration and it seems like the transmission try to find the right gears. The rpm could hit 4000 or stay around 2000 and acts like it will stall out then it even out and run smoothly. It is due for another tune-up but I am afraid there might be other issues.

thx.

btw, do those fuel cleaners really work? I add some to the car yesterday but it didn't seem to help. Maybe it is too early to tell...
 
It sounds like the transmission is slipping for one reason or another. It could be something simple or the whole tranny could be on its way out.
 
When was the last time you changed your air filter?

Aside from that, it could easily be a clogged fuel injector. The fuel cleaner stuff might help, but usually gasoline has detergents in it that help keep that stuff running clean. Another possibility is checking your fuel filter to see if it's clogged with debris. All of these fixes are relatively inexpensive if you do them yourself...
 
Sounds more like transmission. I'd have the transmission fluid flushed, the transmission fluid filter changed out. See if that solves some problems. If not, then it may be your clutch packs.
 
BTW...as others have said, it could be the transmission as well, but one way to test this is to go to a parking lot and shift it to 1st gear. Try pulling out and see if you still experience the problem. That should let you know if it's in your transmission or fuel/air intake. My bet is with the fuel/air flow getting restricted somewhere.

BTW....I've seen this kind of thing happen before with a weak battery as the cause as well. What happens in the computer doesn't get enough current due to a low charge. This would primarily occur after the car is started, but wouldn't be as likely to occur if the car had been running a while and warmed up (as the alternator would charge the battery enough to compensate) This is unlikely, but like I said, I've seen it before. 😉
 
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
When was the last time you changed your air filter?

Aside from that, it could easily be a clogged fuel injector. The fuel cleaner stuff might help, but usually gasoline has detergents in it that help keep that stuff running clean. Another possibility is checking your fuel filter to see if it's clogged with debris. All of these fixes are relatively inexpensive if you do them yourself...
Click to expand...


i dont think the air filter has anything to do with it but the fuel injector will. check you plugs too could be missfiring in the cylinder
 
Originally posted by: rdubbz420
accerate? Qué? uuuhhhh??no say? Dónde? 😕
Click to expand...

Sorry master for making so much grammar and spelling errors. 🙁
















Ah who am I kidding. suck it. 😛
 
When I take the car to those quick oil change for the last oil change, they always said my air filter looks fine so that might not be it. I hope a major tune-up will fix the problem and not the transmission going south on me. That sound expensive. So what is the min - max. I expected to fork out if I bring it in?
min. - tune-up (cap, wires, spark and maybe fuel filter)
max - tune-up & transmission thingie. 🙁
 
Originally posted by: crystal
Originally posted by: rdubbz420
accerate? Qué? uuuhhhh??no say? Dónde? 😕
Click to expand...

Sorry master for making so much grammar and spelling errors. 🙁


Ah who am I kidding. suck it. 😛
Click to expand...

I searched google for "accerate"...you're not the only one. 7 pages of it. A cross between accelerate and accurate.
 
Originally posted by: crystal
When I take the car to those quick oil change for the last oil change, they always said my air filter looks fine so that might not be it. I hope a major tune-up will fix the problem and not the transmission going south on me. That sound expensive. So what is the min - max. I expected to fork out if I bring it in?
min. - tune-up (cap, wires, spark and maybe fuel filter)
max - tune-up & transmission thingie. 🙁
Click to expand...

i replaced the transmission on my 98 prelude earlier this year and the total bill ended up around $3300
 
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
BTW...as others have said, it could be the transmission as well, but one way to test this is to go to a parking lot and shift it to 1st gear. Try pulling out and see if you still experience the problem. That should let you know if it's in your transmission or fuel/air intake. My bet is with the fuel/air flow getting restricted somewhere.

BTW....I've seen this kind of thing happen before with a weak battery as the cause as well. What happens in the computer doesn't get enough current due to a low charge. This would primarily occur after the car is started, but wouldn't be as likely to occur if the car had been running a while and warmed up (as the alternator would charge the battery enough to compensate) This is unlikely, but like I said, I've seen it before. 😉
Click to expand...

Umm, after the car is started everything electrical is running off the alternator. You can actually remove the positive battery cable from the post and the car will still run fine. The battery is mainly for just starting the car and supply a small current to the ECU and such so that they can keep their settings.
 
Originally posted by: jtvang125
Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
BTW...as others have said, it could be the transmission as well, but one way to test this is to go to a parking lot and shift it to 1st gear. Try pulling out and see if you still experience the problem. That should let you know if it's in your transmission or fuel/air intake. My bet is with the fuel/air flow getting restricted somewhere.

BTW....I've seen this kind of thing happen before with a weak battery as the cause as well. What happens in the computer doesn't get enough current due to a low charge. This would primarily occur after the car is started, but wouldn't be as likely to occur if the car had been running a while and warmed up (as the alternator would charge the battery enough to compensate) This is unlikely, but like I said, I've seen it before. 😉
Click to expand...

Umm, after the car is started everything electrical is running off the alternator. You can actually remove the positive battery cable from the post and the car will still run fine. The battery is mainly for just starting the car and supply a small current to the ECU and such so that they can keep their settings.
Click to expand...

You could, but you shouldn't if you value anything electronic in your car. Your battery acts as a surge protector.
 
It could be a bad catalytic converter. I had one where it broke on the inside and blocked the exhaust pipe. The car would run fine until I floored it, and then it would be searching for a gear to go into. When I took my foot off the gas everything was normal. I was able to hear a rattle under the car when I slammed the door which was what pointed me to the problem.
 
Thanks all. I think I will go the cheaper route first, i.e., tune-up and ask them check the exhaust pipe (sound very much like my problem).
Wow, over 3K for transmission repairs. Maybe my wife will let me get a new truck if it costs this much to repair this car. <wishful thinking on my part>
 
Originally posted by: markgm
It could be a bad catalytic converter. I had one where it broke on the inside and blocked the exhaust pipe. The car would run fine until I floored it, and then it would be searching for a gear to go into. When I took my foot off the gas everything was normal. I was able to hear a rattle under the car when I slammed the door which was what pointed me to the problem.
Click to expand...

That was my first thought as well.
 
I dont trust those quickie shops too much...too many stripped sparkplug and oilpan threads...but my first WAGbet would be a sensor or ecm issue. The trans may be searching because of poor power, or ecm is malfunctioning. CEL on?
 
My vote is for tranny or fuel issues. As someone said, put it in 1st and see if you get the same issues. If its still puttering around, fuel/intake related. If its not, then might be your tranny giving you trouble downshifting to accel. Check your transmission fluid, make sure its full and that the fluid is a fairly bright pink. Ever had the transmission fluid changed? 108K on original fluids is a lot, way too much IMO.

If its not the tranny, did they replace the fuel filter at your last tuneup? If you have the tools, pull your spark plugs and check how they look. Elimination is the name of the game 🙂

EDIT Fuel system cleaners generally don't have a noticeable effect until after most of the tank is gone. They're good for reg maintenance, but if you have a seriously clogged injector I don't think it'll do much.
 
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