Jerky in 1st gear - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

semi-charmed · 01-30-2006, 09:40 AM

hey guys I gotta question for ya...i notice sometimes that when i'm idling the car in 1st (no throttle) or just barely giving it a little gas the car is very jerky...it sorta feels like someone is tapping on the brake as i'm driving...keep in mind this is with the clutch fully engaged...

i've only ever driven toyota manual cars, and i honestly can't remember if my celica did the same thing...it's really annoying, especially in heavy traffic...i think it does it a little in 2nd gear too, but it doesn't in higher gears and its fine when you rev up a little higher...my question is, is this normal? do i have an issue with my clutch? thanks in advance for the response

***MRQtwinturbo*** · 01-30-2006, 10:27 AM

how old are your ignition components..that would be first cause to look into..

semi-charmed · 01-30-2006, 10:56 AM

i haven't checked the ignition components since I bought the car back in august of last year...i'll do that first...thanks MRQ

MR. 2Lanes · 01-30-2006, 11:16 AM

You should listen to MRQturbo.

My car did the same thing a few weeks ago. So, I changed my distributor cap and rotor and no more jerking, rough idle, or stalls. Try it. It'll only cost you about $50 if you do it yourself. Oh, and if you need help buying oem parts just go to www.toyotapartsales.com. They'll help you out.

Drifting Dane · 01-30-2006, 12:27 PM

I know exactly what you are talking about and in my head, it is normal, and here is my reasoning:

Firs tof all, my car still does this with ALL new ignition components.

secondly, when you engage the clutch, weight transfers to the rear of the car, compressing the rear springs. The springs are now loaded, and their restoring force pushes the rear of the car back past its equilibrium position, which, when happens over and over appears to be an oscillating effect. Another support for this theory is that after a few seconds, the 'jerky' characteristics go away.

Try angaging your clutch as slowly/smoothly as possible, it shouldnt be jerky... thats how it is on my car

semi-charmed · 01-31-2006, 12:20 PM

yeah i think what dane is saying makes sense...because when the car is jerking the tach doesn't indicate a jerking in rpm...which is why i'm doubtful of that a replacing of ignition components will make a difference...anyway i'll change my plugs, wires, rotor and cap soon and see if that really is the problem...

one thing to note however, is that this doesn't always necessarily happen just after the clutch is engaged...sometimes it happens when i'm in first and i slow down to almost a stop without stepping on the clutch and then let it idle or give it a little gas to speed up again...

anyone else have any thoughts on this issue? does this happen on your MR2?

***MRQtwinturbo*** · 01-31-2006, 12:40 PM

weight transfer would only make the motor rock....that jerky "hesitation" is definitely a sign of worn ignition components and/or boost leak....a few dollars spent on cap/rotor will make your car run ten times better...these cars love to eat thru ignition components for some reason..i change mine every other spring it seems...

when you guys figure out what it is causing the problem WITHOUT checking or replacing the ignition..let us know what the culprit is...

MR. 2Lanes · 01-31-2006, 02:19 PM

ditto

thetailwind · 02-02-2006, 08:56 AM

I experience this also with my 91 NA. My uncle, a master technician said if it wobbles a little when you are in first it could just be play in the transmission and comression in the engine. If you are approaching a higher RPM in the engine when you let off the gas it will bob when it is slowing down and then bob once again when you accelerate becasue the transmission has a slight play in it. Mine bobs a bunch now and I will replace my ignition componenets.

semi-charmed · 02-02-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetailwind

If you are approaching a higher RPM in the engine when you let off the gas it will bob when it is slowing down and then bob once again when you accelerate becasue the transmission has a slight play in it. Mine bobs a bunch now and I will replace my ignition componenets.

this is EXACTLY what I experience in my 91 NA, on top of the wobbling in first...what does your uncle say the solution to this is? is this problem within the transmission, or the connection from the engine to the tranny?

thetailwind · 02-03-2006, 07:22 PM

No its just bouncing between the compression (resistance in the cylinders) and the play in the tranny. Its just normal. However if it is bouncing alot you may want to replace the ignition components. My car has 102k on it and im sure it is due for a cleaning or replacement.