95 Avalon Idle High/Transmission Probs

[danny_cincy]

Whenever I start my car (whether it's 20 or 90 degrees outside) it always idles high. The RPM is always pushing 2 and then slowly falls back under 1. However, if I don't allow my car to get all the way back to 1 and the temperature gauge doesn't read almost exactly in the middle, my car seems to have extreme trouble moving, at all. When I shift into R it takes a good 5-10 seconds and then it shifts allowing me to back out of parking spots. When I switch to D it does the same thing. Then as I'm driving, if I have to stop at a red light or something, it seems fine. Until the light turns green. At that point, I'll accelerate the car and the RPM will go to between 3 and 4 just to start going. (We're talking 20-30 mph or so.) I really don't think this is a good sign and it worries me that I may end up needing to do something with my transmission. If I have to come to a complete stop and then continue driving, sometimes my car will roll (forward or backwards depending on the angle of the street) and the RPM gauge will fly up to 3 or 4 and the car won't move until it seems to catch gear. The most confusing part about it for me is, once I'm driving normal speed my transmission responds superbly, I can gun it and it catches like there are no problems whatsoever.

Anyone know what this could possibly mean?

[zythr]

Sounds like the tranny, unfortunately. Have you checked your fluid?

[tacosteelersman]

Is there any chance either the E brake or possibally a bad caliper may be the cauprit holding the brakes on all of the time forcing everything to work harder than normal to move the vehicle?? I only ask because my parents own an Avalon and the E brake was not fully releasing causing similar symptoms... Its worth a try...Check for extra heated rotors possibally even a rotor warped causing brake petal pulsation while brakeing..Good luck Dave

[pmesfun]

same here my avalon idles at about 1750 rpm when i first start it, but it goes back to 800 after it warms up. Its really annonying bc the transmission jerks into gear because the rpms is higher than usual

[stevehosun]

Check for debris/metal piece in solenoid.
You may need to drop the pan to access these.
If fluid pressure is not transferred to different gear/clutch, it causes delay and tranny slip ( higher RPM without any speed increase)

[artbuc]

Originally Posted by pmesfun

same here my avalon idles at about 1750 rpm when i first start it, but it goes back to 800 after it warms up. Its really annonying bc the transmission jerks into gear because the rpms is higher than usual

Mine was worse than that. I hit 2100 which is a major PITA. The problem was in the ECU, the idle speed look-up tables to be exact. You can fix this problem by adding a 1.5k ohm resistor in parallel with the ECT sensor. I actually added a variable 0 - 5k ohm resistor I got at Radio Shack for $3. That way I can dial in exactly what fast idle I want. I like 1500. Before you do this make sure your ECT output is right. Also make sure all other idle speed control functions are ok, eg idle speed increases when you turn on A/C and idle speed is ok at normal operating temperatures.

[robcam13]

it kinda sounds like torque converter going bad.