Recently our Echo started having a throttle problem when the engine is first started and for a while after. It idles fine and seems to have no problem until you try to go. When you press the gas, the pedal goes to the floor and nothing happens. The car just remains idle. Then suddenly gas starts flowing to the engine and off you go. Pumping the gas doesn't help and the engine never cuts out. It just doesn't rev. The problem goes away as the engine warms up. Thought having a tune up would help, but it didn't. Any ideas?? Thanks
Sounds to me like you may have an intermitent problem with your fuel pump. By all means, check the throttle cable, but I don't think that you'll find this to be your problem.
Good luck.
__________________ Size matters not! Judge ME by my size do you? Hmmm?
OMG - I have been having the same problem for over a year with my 2001! My car seems to have good times, where it zips around just fine. Then, out of nowhere, I press the gas and NOTHING, or just a putt-putting along. The closest Toyota dealer to me is 100 miles away, and my problem started right after I took it to that one (for a tune up) so I really don't want to go back there - and I'm timid to drive long distances. Sometimes, just a hilly road is scary. You're sort of rocking in your seat saying, "I think I can, I think I can" and hoping it'll get some juice. It's almost as if it won't downshift. And sometimes it does, and the engine revs like a son-of-a-gun, but the car isn't going anywhere. Let up on the gas, press back down, and I'm still trying to get it up that hill.
I've been working with a local mechanic that works on Toyotas. Unfortunately, we live in boonieland and I have only seen two other Echos in the area, and I've talked to both owners and they don't have a single problem with theirs (same year or older). My mechanic has never worked on an Echo. He's gotten readings from it on his machines, he's went through his bulletins, trying to figure it out. But to no avail.
My problem seems worse after going for a longer drive first thing the next morning. But that's not always true. I mean, it just comes and goes. I never know if I'm gonna go after I hit the gas or not. I never know if I'm gonna have to stop trying to get up a hill, turn around and try again (that really stinks!)
Oh, after a few (or more) seconds of basically nothing, the car will "catch on" and then gun it so to speak.
Looking forward to any comments. I feel for you aerosaints. I believe that if your problem is not fixed, you'll be where I'm at. My problem started the same way.
I've been searching forums like crazy. Does anyone think the acceleration problem could be due to the MAF Sensor? Anyone out there have one replaced (or cleaned)? What was your problem that led to the MAF? Thanks in advance.
I have the same thing on a 2000 Echo Sedan. Mine ends once the coolant (blue- low temp) light shuts off. If I push the gas prematurely though - forget it. pfft-pfft, stutter, cough. let off the gas and press slowly and it starts to go, too fast back on the pedal though and it almost stalls.
The best way to describe it is what used to be vapor lock...at least that is what the symptoms remind me of....
My engine light comes on some what often too....i bought a code reader and get a 'sytem too lean' error.
I am changin the plugs this weekend, if that does not restore it, I am pulling the pump/filter out of the tank.
MAF sensor (mass air flow).. had the same problem with my 01 (corolla). CEL light.. (System too lean code)
step on the gas the engine hesitates.. and feels like it's gonna stall.. then after a few secs.. it goes.. revs only to 3000 and feels like it won't go anymore.
Dixie toyota up in canada already sold 300 of these for the corolla alone.. I think the echo's has these sensors too..
My Echo doesn't feel like it is going to stall. It just doesn't always get up and go when you hit the gas. The engine itself seems to be running fine (minus some squeaks and rattles). At first, I was like, oh..no...the transmission. But, the car generally shifts fine with the exception of not always wanting to downshift going up a hill. I started thinking it was a sensor going haywire.
I've had a CEL come on before, but it was due to revving the engine too high due to other problems: car wouldn't cold start without giving gas - had to keep gas down for about 2 minutes before car would stay running - especially worse on cold days. That problem was the idle air controller. I was hoping that replacement would fix the acceleration problem, but it didn't. However, I haven't had a CEL since the IAC was replaced.
I feel so close to the cure for my car (besides trading it in! ). Sure, my gas mileage is now horrible, but I'm never one to give up hope. Funny thing is that through all this turmoil, I found a great, trustworthy mechanic. Sure, he's never worked on an Echo before, but he's hasn't charged me a dime for any diagnostic work he's done (and he's driven it quite a bit w/ the computer hooked up). He also cares enough to listen to my theories (which, being a woman - I've never had any other mechanic do). After posting, I discussed the MAF sensor with him. It turns out that his wife's Corolla has the same model MAF. So, he's gonna do a switcheroo of parts (against his wife's wishes - she's VERY protective of her car) next week.
I will keep everyone posted. In the meantime, I'd still love to hear any other theories on this acceleration problem.
dlwnd - I just re-read your post. When i had my IAC problem, the car wouldn't start without giving it gas. It also liked to almost stall when I'd let up on the gas suddenly (specially at stops and backing up). I can't remember which symptom came first. I had to let up on the gas lightly to keep the car happy. And the problem would disappear once the the blue light was off. The IAC can be cleaned, but mine had to be replaced. As far as I know, the IAC needing replacing is rare.
You know, I am thinking yellow would have been an appropriate color for my car
My Echo doesn't feel like it is going to stall. It just doesn't always get up and go when you hit the gas. The engine itself seems to be running fine (minus some squeaks and rattles). At first, I was like, oh..no...the transmission. But, the car generally shifts fine with the exception of not always wanting to downshift going up a hill. I started thinking it was a sensor going haywire.
I've had a CEL come on before, but it was due to revving the engine too high due to other problems: car wouldn't cold start without giving gas - had to keep gas down for about 2 minutes before car would stay running - especially worse on cold days. That problem was the idle air controller. I was hoping that replacement would fix the acceleration problem, but it didn't. However, I haven't had a CEL since the IAC was replaced.
I feel so close to the cure for my car (besides trading it in! ). Sure, my gas mileage is now horrible, but I'm never one to give up hope. Funny thing is that through all this turmoil, I found a great, trustworthy mechanic. Sure, he's never worked on an Echo before, but he's hasn't charged me a dime for any diagnostic work he's done (and he's driven it quite a bit w/ the computer hooked up). He also cares enough to listen to my theories (which, being a woman - I've never had any other mechanic do). After posting, I discussed the MAF sensor with him. It turns out that his wife's Corolla has the same model MAF. So, he's gonna do a switcheroo of parts (against his wife's wishes - she's VERY protective of her car) next week.
I will keep everyone posted. In the meantime, I'd still love to hear any other theories on this acceleration problem.
And Aerosaints - how is it going with you??
let me explain more about what I was going through with my problem. let's say if I was sitting on a light, and the light turn green.. I would step on the gas.. the rpm's would drop slightly.. and hesitate before it goes .. there was a point where when I floored it... it would do the same thing.. accelerate normally till 3000 rpm and just sit there .. slowly reving up. on winter days where the days were cold .. I also had problems with my engine starting (low idle (this occured at warm temps too), and occasional stalling.) but since I changed the sensor, everything is great again.. I am almost positive it's the MAF sensor. you can probably try to clean the MAF with electrical parts cleaner, (I've done that). Toyota charges 220 canadian for the sensor ..
n e ways.. whatever it is.. keep me informed.. I would really like to know what the problem is!
I've been thinking more about this and I remember my dad's truck having a similar problem when I was younger. His truck would sputter and not go anywhere for a while until you got it going down the road, then it would mess up again down the road a ways. Turned out his catalytic converter was stopped up and wouldn't let enough air out so he was getting a little vapor lock.
So Aero - you're still living with your problem too?
I discussed things with my mechanic today. I'm gonna try to get the car to the dealership that is a 2+ hours away. I'm a little scared to make the trip (it's a hilly one - and my echo sometimes won't downshift for me to get more power), but I guess I've exhausted the best local resource I had.
I don't know much about cars. I'll get under the car and change oil and do a few other simple things that don't require a lot of tools that I don't have. But, with what I think I know about basic engines is that you need a proper mixture of air and fuel to go in the chamber to fire. Hense, too little fuel and the car is running lean. (if I am getting this wrong - please someone correct me!). My car was running rich for a while. You could even smell the gas quite strong after the car decided to rev up and go (after pressing on the gas for a few seconds). My mechanic replaced an O2 sensor. That solved that problem - no more gas smell. But - it's still having the acceleration problem. Basically, the car is idling and not responding to the pedal being pushed down (that's what it seems like). Then, all of a sudden, it decides to respond. So, I think the air/fuel mixture is fine - just because it idles fine. Now, with just writing about the pedal, I wonder if there is something to do with the pedal. But, my mechanic tested its function and it seemed fine. That also would not quite explain why sometimes when I turn a corner and go up a hill, the car will not downshift but it will stay in the current gear still trying to get up the hill. Sometimes, if I press my luck (and the pedal enough times) I can get the car to shift into what appears to be neutral (revs high and I'm not going anywhere). I have to let up on the pedal and then press again to get back into the gear I was originally in. So, I do not think it is the pedal. I also do not think it is the transmission. The car will shift through all the gears fine on a straight-a-way and sounds great. Of course, that's after it can get going (unless it's having a good day).
Anyone else understand my reasoning or care to correct me? Don't worry - I won't be offended.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Discussion area for all the Toyota Yaris and Echo owners worldwide.
Push the gas...goin nowhere
). Sure, my gas mileage is now horrible, but I'm never one to give up hope. Funny thing is that through all this turmoil, I found a great, trustworthy mechanic. Sure, he's never worked on an Echo before, but he's hasn't charged me a dime for any diagnostic work he's done (and he's driven it quite a bit w/ the computer hooked up). He also cares enough to listen to my theories (which, being a woman - I've never had any other mechanic do). After posting, I discussed the MAF sensor with him. It turns out that his wife's Corolla has the same model MAF. So, he's gonna do a switcheroo of parts (against his wife's wishes - she's VERY protective of her car) next week. 
..
Linear Mode
