car jerks

[mike7869]

while driving my 99 v6 with 191k there was a sudden jerk, at first i thought i hit an animal. but then the car did the same thing today. it feels like the tranny locks up for a split second.. the car did it while slight acceleration around 50, then declaration around 65.. anyone have a clue to what could be wrong. i fear i might have to get a new tranny.

my old camry had the same symptoms before the diff blew up, putting two massive holes in the tranny case..

[frenum49]

If you think this could be the diff going you could always pull the gear-box drain plug and check the magnet for excessive amounts of ferrous metals or large pieces of gear. However, if the gears are bad enough to cause a split second lock-up you should be hearing a lot of gear whine or clicking coming from the case. If you can, lift the car on jack stands and have a friend put it in drive and reverse while you listen to the case. Or better yet take it to a shop with a lift to be safe and do the same. Make sure the gear-box is full of fluid. Most folks use ATF in theirs. I prefer gear-lube.

You wrote that it "jerks". Is it a violent jolt like someone hitting the brakes? Wheels lock up? Or more like the trans is downshifting like turning OD off at highway speeds? OD light come on? RPM jump when this happens? MIL on? Could have an intermittent short in the wiring for the OD button or other wiring short for the shift solenoids or converter lock-up solenoid. Sticking or failing solenoid. Could be difficult to diagnose since it is so intermittent. Check the wiring harness and connections at the transmission for poor connection or short.

[mike7869]

no it feels like the wheels lock up, it seems to do it more when i stay at the same speed. no lights come on, the rpm doesnt seem to drop. the fluid is freash.. i will take a closer look at the tranny this weekend, thanks tho.