1993 Toyota Tercel Locks Up After Moving

TOYOTA TERCEL
Avatar
JIMDIZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
1993 Tercel auto with 141000 miles. With no warning after accelerating from stop light there was a lungging then a slowing of the speed and diffinate strain on the motor. After pulling over the motor seemed fine. However, no matter what position it was shifted to, (P, R, N, D, D1, D2) the car would move a couple of feet and lock up, forward or reverse. I asked a friend who used to be a Toyota service person and he said he has never heard of anything like this. Is this a tranny problem, a problem with the electronic shift accuator. or CV joints?
Jun 12, 2006 at 1:36 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
SYNCRAIT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 235 POSTS
when you start to move is there any obvious noises eg. clunk, thud, click, etc...
Jun 12, 2006 at 11:33 PM
Avatar
JIMDIZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It is kind of hard to tell. There is a clunking sound once it gets freed up a little, and that only happens when you let it cool down.
Jun 13, 2006 at 5:00 AM
Avatar
SWEEP2WIN
  • MEMBER
  • 21 POSTS
Sounds like you are skipping a gear in your automatic transmission. Like it's going straight to 2nd or 3rd gear at take off. Try disabling the overdrive button if you have it on your shifter. You might need lockup solenoid service or just add transmission fluid.
Jun 23, 2006 at 9:47 PM

Suggested Repair

Check and add automatic transmission fluid if low, and try disabling the overdrive button on the shifter. If the transmission still skips gears or locks up after moving a short distance, have the lockup solenoid serviced.

Conversation Summary

A 1993 Toyota Tercel automatic with 141,000 miles lunged, slowed, and strained after accelerating from a stop, then would move only a couple of feet and lock up in every shifter position, forward or reverse. A clunk was noted after it freed up following a cool-down. One reply asked about noises; another suggested the transmission may be skipping into a higher gear and recommended disabling overdrive, checking fluid, or servicing the lockup solenoid.

Related Repair Questions

Add a reply
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.

Ask a new question

Frequently Asked Problems for This Vehicle