Help! Advise Please - Tercel engine turns on but does not accelerate over 20 MPH

[esaenz]

The engine turns on fine, but does not accelerate over 20mph- that is doesn't go over 1st gear,,

car is automatic....I checked both engine and transmission oil levels, the engine was like 1/4 of its capacity and i just added 2 quarts still behaves the same...

i do not know if its a transmission problem or if i blew the engine pistons..but when the car is on...does not overheaT so i am guessing its not the engine

the strange is that i drive 80 miles every day..and if did not sound or heard anything bad before it happen...i came to work just fine but at noon..i notice that i would push the gas and would not go over 30 just the rmps....

any clues..tips i can try before taking to the mechanic.!1
thank you

molleja2000@yahoo dot com

Efren

[WilliamRobert]

Do you get full RPMs from the engine? When the engine is running and the transmission is in neutral, can you step on the gas and make the engine scream for mercy?

If no, then check your throttle cable, might be broken or stretched or the lock nut might have rattled loose. Check all the stuff that you would in a normal tune-up.

If yes then check the transmission. Check the level with the engine running and transmission in neutral. Is the level correct? Is the fluid burnt?(smell funny, dark red) Is the kick-down cable connected? They can sometimes rattle loose as well. Can you select the gears manually? Start off in 1st, and shift manually into 2nd. Dose the transmission shift? Might be time for a transmission filter and oil change. Check the shifter linkages, make sure that everything is tight etc.

BillyBob

[96paseo]

Originally Posted by esaenz

The engine turns on fine, but does not accelerate over 20mph- that is doesn't go over 1st gear,,

car is automatic....I checked both engine and transmission oil levels, the engine was like 1/4 of its capacity and i just added 2 quarts still behaves the same...

i do not know if its a transmission problem or if i blew the engine pistons..but when the car is on...does not overheaT so i am guessing its not the engine

the strange is that i drive 80 miles every day..and if did not sound or heard anything bad before it happen...i came to work just fine but at noon..i notice that i would push the gas and would not go over 30 just the rmps....

any clues..tips i can try before taking to the mechanic.!1
thank you

molleja2000@yahoo dot com

Efren

I'm most concerned about the bold text above. If you have it in "D" and rpm's rise with little or no acceleration, it may be an internal issue with the trans. As BillyBob said, don't overlook your fluid level. Low trans fluid can cause the problem you've described. If possible, don't drive it until you check it out thoroughly.

[doug1717]

Check your vacuum hoses. There's a diagram under the hood. If you have a vacuum leak you can get this effect, engine revs but no power.

It could be you accidently disconnected one when you checked the fluid levels

[silverhawk]

sounds similar to the problem I had:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t326563.html

It was a clogged catalytic converter...and like yours, when I parked it there was no problem with the engine, and no warning signs.