Urgent Need Help! (Any gurus?)

[sepulchral]

Was borrowing my sister's 2001 solara SE while I was doing a 2JZ swap on my supra... and the solara started acting up... Obviously shes going to suspect I did something to it... Need some help troubleshooting.


Symptoms:

Under light throttle at nearly all speeds (at low rpm) the car has this tiny little jerk/hesitation. It will have a couple of them at a a time... It feels like a misfire but I'm not exactly sure.. The car is not throwing ANY codes and CEL is off. I was also getting a dipping idle a few days ago, but it stopped doing that.

Knowns:

Plugs are clean, TB is clean, car idles smooth but at 600rpm (assume its somewhat normal) sometimes it will get the jerk while its idling but very very rarely. Gas is clean, car has good compression.



Needs:

I need to know every thing that could cause this type of interruption and not yield a CEL. I can't narrow it down to certain cylinders because it only does it while driving.

So what would cause all the said problems and not throw a CEL? And if I am to test the two coils, is there a quick way I can test it? Anyone have an FSM they can send me? Michael.G.McDonough@dom.com


THANK YOU!

[ASG14]

Um, so what engine is it?

[sepulchral]

4-cyl sorry auto!

[ASG14]

I'll guess it;s the 5SFE and not the 2AZFE, and an Auto tranny.

Did you check both the tranny and oil level's? Spark plug wires? Also, what plugs are in it? If it is Bosch, that could be an issue.

[sepulchral]

Originally Posted by ASG14

I'll guess it;s the 5SFE and not the 2AZFE, and an Auto tranny.

Did you check both the tranny and oil level's? Spark plug wires? Also, what plugs are in it? If it is Bosch, that could be an issue.

Not aware of engine codes... It had some iridiums in it, i forgot which ones.. maybe DENSOs.... what is likely hood of coil going out? Wouldn't a CEL come on if it was a coil or misfire?

[ASG14]

Well, at times, the misfire can be so slight, it won't set off the CEL.

Coils do not go out too often, but I do see it happen on the Camry's/Solara's.

How many miles are on the plugs themselves?

I'm sure the issues is likely something simple, but I'm brain dead right now. If you still have issues, there is a good mechanic I know in Richmond that does good work. One of only 3 shops on the East Coast I recommend.

The normal idle should be around 650-800 btw.

[sepulchral]

Originally Posted by ASG14

Well, at times, the misfire can be so slight, it won't set off the CEL.

Coils do not go out too often, but I do see it happen on the Camry's/Solara's.

How many miles are on the plugs themselves?

I'm sure the issues is likely something simple, but I'm brain dead right now. If you still have issues, there is a good mechanic I know in Richmond that does good work. One of only 3 shops on the East Coast I recommend.

The normal idle should be around 650-800 btw.

I can do my own work, just wanted a list of t hings to look for... If it doesnt throw an check engine light, does that mean any codes will be given if it is scanned?

The plugs looked great... I can narrow there gaps though if you think it will help... The car o nly gets 380miles per tank, don;t know if thats running prety rich or not. Plugs were def. not showing it.

[ASG14]

380 miles if you either have a heavy foot, or mostly city, is pretty normal.


Any vacuum leaks?

[sepulchral]

No vacuum leaks