1989 Toyota Corolla hesitates when accelerating hard - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

oliverr87 · 10-13-2006, 09:04 AM

Hi guys, I have a problem with my 1989 Toyota Corolla. It is an automatic. It has the 4-AF engine. When I accelerate, the car stumbles and makes this 'clunk' sound before going smoothly. I know it's not the engine because if I'm in neutral, and rev it, it's fine. Also, when accelerating SLOW it will be okay, but once the car shifts to 2nd gear, and you press the gas harder, thats when it goes clunk clunk (fast sounding clunks, almost like pop), RPM goes down a bit and stumbles along the way at around speeds of 20-25 mph. After that its smooth. I'm leaning towards the transmission, but what specifically could be the problem? Thanks.

sportrally88 · 10-13-2006, 10:26 AM

alot of us sr5 owners are havingthe same problem ....so tell us if you come up with anything

retiredat44 · 10-13-2006, 12:40 PM

If the engine spits back. or feels like the timing is floating, it can be the distributor... how many miles is on it? If more than 150,000, it could be that.

the clunking could be the side effect of the engine stumbling,, and the drive trains is getting slammed in the stumbling..

oliverr87 · 10-16-2006, 09:05 AM

The engine has less than 60000 miles on it. It's already been changed. The transmission though is original and has some 209000 miles on it. Timing feels fine, and engine revs fine when in neutral. Anybody else have any other suggestions?

retiredat44 · 10-16-2006, 05:11 PM

sorry to say but could be the tranny, have a tranny shop give it a test drive..

89molavi · 10-16-2006, 09:12 PM

Is this a carburated or fuel injected engine.
You rev it in neutral, the engine is not under load so that doesn't mean that it is not the engine. It could still be the engine. When was last tune-up?

silkydraws · 10-18-2006, 01:53 AM

I had a auto 3 spd make clunking sounds and jerky acceleration. Turned out to be the bearing to the final drive (Ring & Pinion) tranny seals had leaked to the poin there was no more diff. lube and bearing went dry and failed. I did'nt figure it out till it locked up at 30 MPH errrrt. At least it was'nt 60. Drain and fill rear portion of tranny and refill and see if it improves somewhat. If so you will need to tear down and replace bearing. Just a thought and an 89 prob. could use a refill. I don't know what the maint. was but lots of people A) Never change the tranny fluid at all or B) don't change the diff. fluid when they do. Not accusing just asking. And I'm not saying fo sure thats it. With Autos it could be a number of things, but this is diagnosible.

oliverr87 · 10-26-2006, 08:15 AM

Well, its not my car, but know for sure the tranny fluid has never been touched which is why I was leaning towards the transmission. Engine is carburated. Tune was was 1 month ago, everything checked out good, and replaced everything air filter, oil, cap rotor, plugs, fuel filter. Nothing was wrong with the old parts, just replaced them for good measure, but still the same. Plugs are fine. How much does a tranmission go for this car?

Infinitrium · 10-26-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredat44

If the engine spits back. or feels like the timing is floating, it can be the distributor... how many miles is on it? If more than 150,000, it could be that.

the clunking could be the side effect of the engine stumbling,, and the drive trains is getting slammed in the stumbling..

Desrcibe what floating timing feels like, I'm wondering. I notice my 88 Corolla wagon hesitates a bit if I hammer the gas pedal.

retiredat44 · 10-26-2006, 07:24 PM

Description of floating timing:
sometimes it wil run nice, other times runs like crap... never the same each day or each week runs different..

a worn loose timing belt can do this too, or a worn our distributor.

retiredat44 · 10-26-2006, 07:26 PM

the carb has a primer pump, that give an initial squirt of gas when you hit the gas pedal. But, since the car has low mielgage I woul dnot think the carb would be in bad shape.. but if it is in a bad weatehr climate, the carb can definetly do that too..

TokyoRacer · 10-26-2006, 08:24 PM

Do you have an intake on it?

oliverr87 · 10-30-2006, 08:45 AM

No intake, all stock. Drove the car yesterday, pressing on the gas pedal lightly, and the car was completely fine. I took time to drive up to speed though, but no clunking noises or hesitation, it was completely smooth.

diver9000 · 10-30-2006, 05:06 PM

Sounds like CV Joint/axle. They are pretty easy to change out. Not very expensive either. Check your boots and make sure they are not torn and they have grease in them. If any junk got inside them one or both of them may need to be changed.

freakinbox · 10-30-2006, 05:27 PM

I was thinkin mine was due to the temp of the air and the blown headgasket.