hesitation when accelerating from a stop - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

lnrsea · 09-11-2011, 04:37 AM

I am a new owner of a 2007 Toyota Corolla with 80,000 miles on it. I recently noticed it sometimes hesitates when I'm trying to accelerate from a stop. My check engine light is not on.
I took it to a mechanic who drove it around and basically said he couldn't feel anything and it looks perfect.
I had my coworker drive it and he felt the hesitation and suggested the MAF sensor needed cleaning. we cleaned it and for 2 days it didn't hesitate, and then today it did it again twice.

I'm not sure where to go from here. From reading similar threads on this forum, I'm guessing I should check my spark plugs? Please forgive my lack of auto-knowledge. Thank you in advance for any replies.

invader · 09-11-2011, 05:31 AM

Replacing spark plugs could help. It was also due for an automatic transmission fluid change at 60000 miles.

***silver04rollas*** · 09-12-2011, 12:43 AM

Is it an automatic tranny??

dorman68 · 09-12-2011, 06:11 AM

My car does the same thing. It's hesitates for a brief moment when accelerating from a complete stop. I personally feel that it's a glitch in the throttle-by-wire system. I have had it to the dealer a few times when the car was still under warranty; the mechanics weren't able to find anything each time. I also had the ECU recall done, my ECU was replaced under recall a few months back as it was one of the one with the bad batch of serial numbers and still no change. My car is up to date on all the maintenance items; oil change, air filter, throttle body cleaning, mass air flow cleaning etc. I even swapped over a mass air sensor and throttle body from a buddy's car and still no change. Right now I am just living with the hesitation as it just lasts for a second or two, I don't know what to do next? Good luck! I hope your able to solve your issue.

invader · 09-12-2011, 07:27 AM

Was your ECM replaced for the warranty covered revised one yet? Throttle hesitation is a common complaint with the drive-by-wire system, which can worsen as the original 2005-2007 ECM starts failing. A dirty MAF/IAT sensor can also be a factor.

http://qcwo.com/technicaldomain/my-c...n-i-accelerate

gideon1331 · 09-13-2011, 07:35 PM

My hesitation is still there, but is remarkably better after getting the new ECM. It happens with all drive-by-wire systems, but some are better than others, and it seems to be mostly in the software.

TrdSpeed140 · 09-13-2011, 09:08 PM

This is also sometimes caused by a small air leak around the MAF sensor O-ring. I had a similar problem of hesitations at higher rpms at any amount of throttle. I thought it might have been the transmission slipping but I have since swapped to a 6 speed manual and It still happens. There was a thread over on 9th Gen about this, the OP got a set of various sized O rings and found one that was just slightly thicker than the stock one and claimed that the problem no longer ocurred.

GREENPUS · 09-14-2011, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorman68

My car does the same thing. It's hesitates for a brief moment when accelerating from a complete stop. I personally feel that it's a glitch in the throttle-by-wire system. .

my 2005 does it and i assumed as you that it was the throttle sensor system or whatever it is. It comes and goes for me. I think I notice it more when the outside temps are in the high 90's

mr1114 · 09-17-2011, 06:49 PM

Mine also does it. Its very brief and intermittent.

Anyone know if there's a way to tell whether or not the ECM has been changed? I purchased the vehicle about 3 months ago. Very happy with it despite this little issue.

Edit: After doing a search and checking, looks like my ECM has already been replaced.

ems · 09-19-2011, 11:03 AM

Mine also does it but, I have become used to hit and I just hit the throttle a little softer and it never happens.