Please help. My 2002 ES300 with 130K miles shakes and vibrates when accelerating going uphill. It usually happens on the freeway when I press on the gas to get more power for the uphill climb. I notice it when going uphill at 40, 50, 60mph. It almost feels like the engine is starving for power. I first thought it was the suspension but it does not shake on a level ground or at low speed. I also have new balanced tires installed. Then I thought the engine was not getting enough gas, so I replaced the gas filter. But it is still happening. I brought it to a mechanic. He can't figure it out either.

Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks for any help.

 

Could be in the trans or the engine. If possible, you need to either hook a scantool with streaming data to it and have someone ride with you and read what the ECM is seeing/reading when it happens. Try to do the same with a fuel pressure gauge. It's possible the transmission is either not kicking down as it should or possibly the torque converter is the issue. Eliminate all the easy things first.

 

The same thing happened to my 98 camry everytime i went up the steep garage at work. In my case it was the a FILTHY air filter. im not sure if this is the answer for you but never hurt to try it

 

had the same thing , did you put the handbreak ? if you did , it could be your caliber that not reopen ...

cost me 400 $ to fix it

 

Thanks all. I'll try all of these great advice.

 

what happens to your rpm's when this happens? do they jump up/down or stay nomal?

 

It could be one of your engine mounts... But, that something like this is hard to diagnose over the internet. Many possibilities.

 

the rpm stays normal. it does not jump up or down.

if it was the engine mount, will the symptoms show at level ground? this only happens on uphill acceleration. after the car reaches the proper speed then the shaking goes away.

 

It turned out to be the Front Drive Axle. It was worn and loose thus the vibration and shaking resulting in wobbly front wheels. Cost of repair- $380 parts and labor.

 

Glad to hear you could take care of this, I used to see some disasters down in Mexico (including at our 1/4 mile track) with bad axles.

 

Hey Lexmex,
I wasn't sure how long I'd be able to drive it without it falling off. But I decided to replace and not wait for a disaster like you mentioned.

 

This was a nasty one we had at my track back in Mexico,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11jSnYe7Rsk

Luckily no one hurt.

 

YIKES!

Is there a way to maintain or lube these axles so it will last longer? I didn't see any nipples to apply grease into it.