YACT: RPM meter redlining

[wizard5233]

I was driving on the freeway in my 2003 Toyota Corolla. I was going about 75 mph when the rpm meter all of a sudden jumped from 3000 rpms to 7000 rpms, redlining it. So then I let go of the gas pedal completely and the rpm meter fell, but as soon as I slighted tapped the gas pedal, the rpm meter redlined again. What do you think is wrong? the transmission? I pulled over and cut the engine, and when I started going again it was fine.

 

[amdhunter]

Did the engine rev up with the needle? Or was it just the needle moving?

 

[wizard5233]

the engine reved up as well

 

[Tu13erhead]

Overdrive turned off?

 

[wizard5233]

the overdrive was on

 

[Tu13erhead]

Hmm. It sounds like the car shifted down for some reason, maybe if overdrive was accidentally disengaged it'd cause this. I know if I'm in my car travelling > 50mph and I turn off OD the same thing happens as what you described.

 

[bootymac]

Originally posted by: Tu13erhead
Hmm. It sounds like the car shifted down for some reason, maybe if overdrive was accidentally disengaged it'd cause this. I know if I'm in my car travelling > 50mph and I turn off OD the same thing happens as what you described.

My first thought also

 

[Aftermath]

Did you hear any audible grinding or crunching noises at any point after that? That's the same thing that happened to me in my '91 Mercury Grand Marquis that I had. It dumped me from 4th to 2nd on the interstate with a nice loud crunch and some nice engine reving. Turned out the third AND fourth gears esploded and I was left with a $1,200 transmission rebuild for my $1,500 car.

 

[wizard5233]

no grinding or crunching noises at all.

 

[Analog]

Actually, it sounds as if the car went into neutral. That would do the same thing.

 

[Viperoni]

Were you on a flat surface, uphill?
How hard were you stepping on the gas?

 

[wizard5233]

flat surface completely, I wasn't stepping on the gas very hard, maybe 1/2 of the way down.

 

[Tu13erhead]

Originally posted by: yellowfiero
Actually, it sounds as if the car went into neutral. That would do the same thing.

Could be, I guess that depends if stepping on the gas once it happened had any effect.

Did it?

 

[wizard5233]

stepping on the gas at that point did not accelerate the car at all.

 

[eLiu]

Originally posted by: wizard5233
stepping on the gas at that point did not accelerate the car at all.

Then it definitely sounds like the car dropped completely out of gear (neutral), especially if a 'light tap' caused the engine to rev up a lot. Is this the only time its happened? Maybe have your transmission checked?

 

[jlee]

7000rpm? Have your rev limiter checked as well..shouldn't go past 6200.

How's your tranny fluid?

 

[wizard5233]

This is the first time it has happened, my transmission fluid is at a good level. I'll see to have it checked tomorrow.