topgun129

Slight hesitation and resistance when accelerating from idle - Feels like the car is heave - Any Ideas?

For the time that I've owned my car I've noticed a slight hesitation and resistance when I hit the gas peddle from idle speed. It is less when I hit the accelerator harder and speed up quicker when I'm at a light, but when I speed up slowly it feels like the car is pulling weight and is heavier - it seems like it doesn't want to move but I'm forcing it by hitting the peddle. I feel this via the gas peddle and how it is a little harder to press.

If I lay off the accelerator for a sec than try again, then car will act normally and slowly start to accelerate normally. It happens up to about 20 mph, then the problem goes away at higher speeds.

Anybody else experience this sort of problem? Any solutions and any ideas what it is?

Thanks!

3UZFTE

I have yet to have something like that... however I am having an issue with No. 1 shift solenoid. It seems to not want to shift back into first when coming to a stop or a slight roll. It makes my car feel like I am driving in overdrive, even though I'm in 2nd gear. Do you have any trouble codes? Checked all your fluids? Are you running premium? Can you manually shift through the gears and you have the same issues? More details please.

topgun129

Hi,

I would have to say my guess is in the direction of something to do with the transmission and nothing engine related. My trans. fluid is fine, and I always put premium into the tank. I can go thru all the gears and no error codes at all.

To be more exact it seems like when I go from 2nd gear down to 1st, then need to go back up (accelerate) there is also a little resistance.

fourthmeal

details...

what year car? Are you in snow mode?

damon

Had a similar feeling then got a CEL on my 94. I replaced the ignition coils & the two "pre-cat" O2 Sensors. Much better now!

topgun129

@fourthmeal - 93 Lexus LS400 with 140,000 miles. No snow mode. No CEL codes at all.

@damon - Did your problem feel like it was the transmission? I wouldn't mind doing the repairs you mention if that is truly the cause of the problem. I don't think the ignition coil or O2 sensors were ever changed.

topgun129

damon

Just felt slow & sluggish but never seemed to be tranny related.

fourthmeal

check the engine vacuum at idle. Vacuum should be ~18 inches at sea level

Check vacuum during crank startup by removing the air intake boot, hold your hand over the throttle body and feel for a strong sucking in on attempted startup. use a friend to turn the key.

the timing belt can and will jump on these cars and it would cause a low vacuum, around 14 inches.

Of course the next thing to do is check the spark strength at all 8 plugs and check the coil.

These cars still run good on only one bank, so its hard to tell whats wrong sometimes. The coils and wiring to them would be my first place to look.