Weird problem 1998 2.4. Stutter start, but not engine, feels like TC???

[redgtxdi]

OK, so wife says car's sputtering. (She drives 90% of time). And only from a stop. I took car today & & sure enough, I already felt a little weirdness reversing out of garage. Then going into drive, takes about a full second & then, "BAM" (not that hard really, but not smooth) it goes into gear & you're off. Shifts thru 2nd, 3rd, 4th just fine & all the way back down. Can roll thru a stop & it'll stay engaged, but complete stops results in another 'bam' hesitant start. (As if torque converter took a few extra spins to engage???)

Best part is......I decided to get on the freeway & burn thru all gears (remember, engine runs fine & trans shifts fine) and when I got off the freeway, it stopped doing it. Are you kidding me?? I drove around stop & go driving for at least 15 minutes after that & it's just fine.

Ideas???

TIA!

[71Corolla]

You need to stop driving the car immediately. The transmission fluid could be low, continuing to drive will destroy the transmission. If the fluid is not low, then chances are the unit is on the way out. Pulling the pan will tell a great deal of what is going on inside the tranny.

Another possibility, although unlikely, is the throttle linkage is out of adjustment.

[redgtxdi]

Should've said that was one of the first things I checked. Fluid level is perfect. Fluid color is perfect. No traces of shavings or anything weird. Pan was pulled about 2 years ago.

Drove the car all the way home completely trouble-free. (I mean, not even a "hint" of trouble).

That's why I'm so confused.

[71Corolla]

Hmmmm, then make a note of the position of tranny throttle cable, and try adjusting it. It might be worth your while to take your car to a transmission specialist. Look for an ATRA certified outlet.

I found some suspect particles in my transmission, and decided to take the car to a specialist. It was worth the money (actually they only charged me 1/2 hour labour) they road tested, pulled the pan, and told me they didn't find anything wrong, glad I took it in.