00 corolla

[doktakut]

I have been experiencing issues with pressing the gas pedal and having no movement or maybe a very very little movement and sometimes a odd knocking sound. Usually i have to let off the gas and then press the gas again and i'm going fine. Use to happen 2 years ago sometimes and i thought it was because of my bad cat. Well i replaced all that and now this happens everyday.

When i talked to a mechanic he told me it sounds like the differential. Anyone every experience this problem?

Thanks for your help

[fishexpo101]

What kind of Corolla we talking about here - year, mileage, automatic or manual transaxle?

Could you describe the knocking sound in more detail, does it get better or worse at different speeds, under load, light cruise, etc.? Does the transaxle act like it is winding up and then suddenly jerks? Does it do this in all gears?

Could be a number of things. Low, no, or wrong type of transaxle fluid/oil, broken CV joint/axle, damaged differential, damaged transaxle, seized brake system, destroyed wheel bearing, etc.

[doktakut]

2000, 130,000 miles, 3 spd auto, and only made a thump sound once and happened when i was stoped and pressed the gas. it only happends in first gear. And no winding up feeling. Just feels as if there is no power at all and then it finally kicks in. Trans fluid is fine i haven't changed it in a year and axles look good.

[fishexpo101]

Are we talking orders of several seconds of the engine revving, but the car isn't moving at all - or are we talking about the car moving, but just kinds of rolls away from a stop - with no sense of urgency?

If it is the former - could be transaxle / differential issue (keep in mind that you have TWO fluid reservoirs in your 3-speed). One you can drain from the pan and refill from the transaxle dipstick tube (transaxle part), the other has a separate drain plug and refill plug - similar to a manual transaxle, just for the differential part. More than a few times, I've seen cases where they forgot to check the differential fluid - over time the differential ran bone dry and grenaded at speed.

Anything from a bad torque converter to burnt clutch bands inside the transaxle. Could be foreign material floating around the transaxle or differential half.

If it is the latter - could be an engine mount has gone bad - engine torques over and the thump you hear is it banging around in the engine bay. Since the powertrain will shift around more - there is a chance that your acceleration will suffer under heavier engine loads, due to the axles/transaxle binding up on you. Could also be a torque converter issue (cracked welds, so it can pump fluid around like it should) - though quite unlikely, can happen.

[huangxin]

this might be far off but can it be throttle body got gummed up with crap?

[doktakut]

it could happen any time. Just when i start or after sitting at a red light and i press the gas and the car doesn't move. I also changed the fluid myself and i fill both areas. maybe i should dump the diff fluid and put new in and see how it runs?

I just replaced engine mounts as well so it cannot be that.

good advice. thank you for that. I think i will dump the fluid and see how it runs and if it does it still i need to take it in. I feel like if it is the differential i probable will not replace it cause i have put way to much money into this car and there is still other things down the line that need to be replace. Maybe..not sure what to do

[fishexpo101]

Hmm. Sounds like the car is bogging from a standing start. Could be as simple as needing a tune-up.

- Double check the plugs and verfiy plug gap (1ZZ-FE is somewhat picky about the plug gap - should be 0.044")
- Read the plugs and note any significant differences (one is a little wet or oily or may be heavily gummed up)
- Make sure the coil on plugs are in good shape, i.e. no visibly signs of damage - cracks, burnt marks, etc.
- Make sure the is no issue with the induction system (clean air filter, check for cracks/obstructions in the intake tubing, etc.)
- Check the throttle body for damage/excessive deposits - might be completely gummed up or even have a loose throttle cable. Make sure to check behind the throttle plate - actuate the cam on the side of the TB and use a flashlight to peer inside.
- Check the exhaust for leaks/obstructions
- Harder to verify visually, but if you noticed a significant drop in fuel economy - could be an O2 sensor going bad on you. Some will go bad gradually, in a way that will not set a CEL - so called "lazy" O2 sensors.
- Check for electrical problems (1ZZ-FE is very sensitive to electrical noise) - check battery connections, battery health, alternator, etc.
- Check the PCV, make sure the valve is clear and that there is no junk gumming up the works.
- Check the MAF sensor and give it a good cleaning (lots of info on the net about how to clean this sensor)
- Probably can't hurt to verify timing and engine compression, just to give you a warm toasty. If your starting to drop compression, there is not much you can do other than a rebuild.

[Corollaczy]

wow, i have this exact same problem. I press on the gas and nothing really happens, kinda feel a shudder too, then a rhythmic thunk thunk thunk till I let of the gas. To me it happens when the engine is cold and I put alot of load on it, most noticeable when I first put into gear. I was told it could be the VVt-i system screwing up. Im not so sure about all of that so I'll be taking it to a stealership, if I'm still getting problems after the shop runs cleaner oil through it. I just want a toyota expert to look at it, if I can get the problem resolved Ill tell you what my problem was to hopefully help you out