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Hello guys,
I feel like the car bogs down a little on the freeway. It could be my imagination since I drive mostly my 90 Accord and I have it tune pretty good and very responsive. My wife drives this Corolla to work. The car seems to drive fine in the city. It accelerates well and takes off as normal. It’s when on the freeway. Let’s say I was going 60 mph and wanted to pass some one or change lanes as I get near an exit, I want press down on the gas pedal to accelerate but it speeds up very slowly and not as responsive. Some times I had to let go of the gas pedal slightly for the car to pick up. By the way, it’s been over 300 miles and the CEL has not came back on yet for the P0420 code. So I am keeping my fingers crossed as it’s not the cat. Here’s what I recently done for the car:
1) Replaced spark plugs, 4 NGK platinum G power. It was running V power, before the V, I had G power in it so it would last longer. The plugs look pretty normal with brown color not burned or fouled looking. A slight tint of red, probably the additives from the Chevron which is all I use, Chevron regular 87. I wonder if the platinum plugs would cause this?2) Replaced wires, same exact kind, Autozone Value Craft. It’s been using that since I had the car in 2006. Every 2 years I replace the cables as they come with lifetime warranty. I wonder if the wires would do this? If the car misfires, wouldn’t the CEL goes on or I could feel it? The car runs smooth as usual.
3) I was lightly tugging on the throttle cable and there’s about a little more than half an inch slack in it. If I remember it correctly, it was more snug than that when we bought the car used. How do I adjust it? There’s 2 sets of lock nuts on the cable, which set to I use to adjust it tighter? The Hayne’s manual just say adjust the lock nuts but which ones? Here’s a pic below of some one else’s car but it shows the lock nuts.
http://i226.photobuc…/IMGP0477-2.jpgThanks.
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Did you try looking at the Chilton’s online we have linked for free in the ‘How To’ section on throttle cable adjustment?
If you suspect an issue with the ignition wires, look at this video Eric made –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-U9WqJf … t3EVppbf88
For the poor performance issues, i would recommend cleaning the MAF sensor with the correct cleaner to start with.
Without seeing live scan tool data, it will be difficult to pinpoint the exact issue. Is the pre-cat o2 sensor original?
I am wondering if you need to adjust the transmission kickdown cable as it sounds like the transmission is not downshfting when you go to pass. check the online chilton manuals for proper settings.
Quoted From dreamer2355:
Did you try looking at the Chilton’s online we have linked for free in the ‘How To’ section on throttle cable adjustment?
If you suspect an issue with the ignition wires, look at this video Eric made –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-U9WqJf … t3EVppbf88
For the poor performance issues, i would recommend cleaning the MAF sensor with the correct cleaner to start with.
Without seeing live scan tool data, it will be difficult to pinpoint the exact issue. Is the pre-cat o2 sensor original?
I saw that video already. This car does not have any MAF sensor. Only the Corolla 2000 models or newer have MAF sensors. The air filter is new also. Both of the O2 are original I think. I have not replace them since I bought the car.
If any of the O2 is bad, wouldn’t the CEl light up?
Thanks.That transmission would be electronically controlled, and wouldn’t have a kickdown cable I believe Dio. Other than that, I don’t have alot to add other than you are probably just not used to the car. Those cars with the 1.8 liter (I think) and the automatic aren’t speed demons. My mom had a leased ’98. It wasn’t a monster. Does the car feel dangerously slow though? As in, in a pinch, you wouldn’t be able to floor it and get it to downshift if you had to get out of the way of a truck or something?
Actually this year and up to atleast 2001 have a kickdown cable. I don’t have a clue how to post videos nor video links but if you check for corolla kickdown cable on youtube there is a guy with a 2001 corolla with the same symptomsC8-)
I believe you man. That’s an odd setup though. Went to watch the vid, and forgot my headphones catastrophically failed last nite. I’ll need to get another set tomorrow.
Lazy 02 sensors don’t always throw CEL’s. You can have vehicles with some drivability issues that will not always show a CEL.
Dio is right, that vehicle does have a kick down cable after looking online.
I am under the impression that the vehicle may be performing normally though.
I think it’s bad for the transmission if you have 3 speed and going at 50 mph or more to kick down from the 3rd gear. I saw that video but the loose part of the cable is on the top over and not where that dude is describing it.
Thanks.Quoted From dreamer2355:
Did you try looking at the Chilton’s online we have linked for free in the ‘How To’ section on throttle cable adjustment?
I look at the manual online and couldn’t find the section how to adjust the throttle cable.
Thanks.Hi guys,
Took the car for a test drive. It takes off like normal on the streets. Though I did notice that the transmission shift a little early in the 3rd gear once. I think it might be I was not flooring the pedal. It didn’t happen again later. Took it on the freeway and it took off fine. Very smooth acceleration. This is what I notice, the valve seems to sound really loud when I floor the pedal. How do you check if valves are without specs? I am not sure how the 99 Corolla valves are? I don’t think they could be adjusted like my 90 Accord. I think it’s hydraulic lift.Thanks.
You would need to look at factory service information and use feeler gauges to check for valve lash.
Most vehicles will sound loud when you stomp on them. Every engine will sound different due to type and how they have been maintained.
I live in an area with a few Corolla of the same generation and never hear it that loud. My car has that roar on a light tap of the gas pedal.
It’s just one thing after another with my 2 cars. I need to get back to the games I got for Christmas.
Thanks.ok. I studied the cable carefully and bottom part on the top is the throttle cable. And the bottom part is the kick down cable. I adjusted the cable to reduce some slack to about a little less than 1/4 inch. Before adjustment it was a little more than half an inch. I ran out of thread on the nut to reduce more. I might have to find a rubber piece to put in there as a spacer. The rubber piece that is originally there must be flattened down thus given slack, not counting the stretched cable.
Thanks.
Here is a video on adjusting the throttle cable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rawvJop772E
Be VERY careful adjusting the shift cable if you get the adjustment wrong you can damage the transmission so don’t good too tight on that.
To be honest you might have a ‘normal’ condition as Toyotas are more geared for ‘off the line’ performance and Honda’s work better at higher rpm’s making them better at passing on the highway. All I’m saying here is that I think you need to consider the condition to be normal and be careful about any adjustments you make as you don’t want to cause a problem where there wasn’t one before.
As for the P0420 code it will likely come back but it may take some time as the computer needs to see certain conditions met before it will set the code for cat efficiency.
Quoted From EricTheCarGuy:
Here is a video on adjusting the throttle cable.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rawvJop772E
Be VERY careful adjusting the shift cable if you get the adjustment wrong you can damage the transmission so don’t good too tight on that.
To be honest you might have a ‘normal’ condition as Toyotas are more geared for ‘off the line’ performance and Honda’s work better at higher rpm’s making them better at passing on the highway. All I’m saying here is that I think you need to consider the condition to be normal and be careful about any adjustments you make as you don’t want to cause a problem where there wasn’t one before.
As for the P0420 code it will likely come back but it may take some time as the computer needs to see certain conditions met before it will set the code for cat efficiency.
Hi Eric,
I have already adjusted the throttle cable. No problem with the transmission. It shift as usual. However, the throttle response is like when I first bought it. I don’t have to press the gas pedal very deep to get the car to move. Not only that, the valve seem to quiet down a bit.
I hope you are wrong about the code coming back as we cannot afford to shell out for a cat replacement. Usually when the cat is bad is due to poor running car. But this car has been running good. I change the oil regularly, all fluids changed, and tune up good. I replace the air filter every oil change b/c I change it at 6000 miles. This car is famous for oil burning but the most I have ever pour extra is half a quart the entire 6000 miles and that is not b/c it runs low. When the engine is hot and it falls below the high mark I put little in to bring it back up. I changed the chain tensioner last year and replaced the valve cover as well. I noticed the chain has no crack, very clean, and the cam and every thing is in good shape.
Thanks.
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