03 LE..Abrupt on/off throttle response..

[kawidood]

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum because I only recently purchased an 03 Camry LE, but this forum is packed with useful info! I did a search on my question, but I haven't seen anyone address my issue. It's not the typical "lag" that many complain of with the DBW.

When I am driving on the highway and I release the gas petal, it feels like there is too much engine braking. It feels like my motorcycle feels like when I release the clutch after it's been pulled in. I also have a Blazer and when I release the gas petal on my Blazer the car simply coasts. Similarly, on my Camry, when I'm coasting and then give it gas on the highway, I'll sometimes feel a little "kick". It's not a smooth transition from coast-on-throttle, not is it a smooth transition from on-throttle-coast.

I bought the car a few weeks ago and it has 140k miles on it. The previous owner did mainly highway driving and last changed the tranny fluid at 100k miles. Do you think doing a tranny flush would smooth things out? Or this a throttle body/sensor issue? Or maybe this is normal for Camry's?

thanks in advance for your help!!!

[sundarpn]

I suppose that how the e-throttle in the camry is.

do a tranny fluid change (drain & fill via the drain plug) and see if that helps first. Also clean your throttle body.

[kawidood]

Thanks for the response Sun. I know people who complain about the e-throttle complain about the lag between depressing the gas pedal and feeling the acceleration. I haven't seen anyone complain about the "kick" I'm feeling.

I feel like maybe I'm not describing it well. The car is an auto (I imagine it's a 4 speed) and it feels like it's 1 gear too low. When I ride my bike and I keep it one gear too low I get very abrupt throttle response when I accelerate/decelerate. However, on a bike it's as a result of drive-line lash, I don't know why the car is geared this way. (I know my O/D is working through because when I disengage it I feel it drop down one gear. )

I guess I'm the only one experiencing this, so maybe it is a problem. I'll have the tranny flushed and clean the throttle body and see if it helps.

P.S. the car shifts fine.

[71Corolla]

Take a look at my thread here to see if it describes anything you've been experiencing.

[kawidood]

Hi 71Corolla,

I checked out your thread. The truth is that I've never looked at the Tachometer while I let off/on the gas, I just pay attention to what the tranny/engine is doing. I don't think my RPM's dip all that much though. Plus, mine happens more pronounced when I'm driving at highway speeds (60+ MPH) and I let off/on the gas pedal abruptly.

[71Corolla]

Sounds like a different problem then, or at least different symptoms. Does this occur in any gear? edit - I guess you've already answered that, it's more pronounced at freeway speeds which is 3rd and 4th gear. How about if you are traveling at say 30mph?

[kawidood]

Well, it happens at highway speeds, and I have my overdrive on, so I assume it's in 4th gear. The RPM's are at around 2k when I'm doing 60-65 mph, so I think I'm in 4th gear (even though it's behaving like if it were in 3rd gear).

[71Corolla]

Next time you're driving at around 60, watch the tach as you lift your foot off the gas to see if the RPM's drop and how fast. A video of the cluster would be helpful.

[kawidood]

good idea. I'll definitely do that. I'm going to my mechanic tomorrow to have the oil changed, so I'll ask him if he thinks I need a tranny flush too at 147k miles. Although the car shifts perfectly fine.

[71Corolla]

I personally would do a tranny flush. It's cheap insurance.

[kawidood]

So a little update for those interested:

I paid a little more attention to the RPM's and I realize that when I let off the gas and the car "cruises", if the RPM's indicate a downshift and THEN I press the gas (rather abruptly), then the car will "jerk" forward. However, If I let off the gas and press the gas again before the car can downshift, I don't notice the jerk. I guess that's normal?

On another note, I took the car to my mechanic (who also drives a Camry, although it's an older one) and I asked him if he suggests I do a flush. He said that with a car as old as mine (147k miles) he wouldn't mess with that. He said sometimes you create problems when you start changing out fluids. We checked my current tranny fluid and it's a nice red color and smells fine. The car seems to shift ok. Anyone have any thoughts on his rational?

[DftMachine]

I can second your mechanic's advice. I had my transmission fluid drained and refilled and after that my car started to shift worse than before. I think if you're going to do a fluid change you should drop the pan and just do a complete flush.