Camry with a "missing" feeling

[Tezzaltise]

Hi all

Just wanted to let you know what I have experienced in the last few weeks.

My Camry Altise Limited 2005 started getting the feeling, most noticeable at 60 -65 kph and about 1500rpm, as though the engine was missing, which resulted in a slight jerking sensation while cruising at that speed. Below that speed it wasn't there and the faster above 65 you went the less noticeable it was.

Now I've never had any problems of any significance with any of my previous Camrys (that's why I keep buying them) so this had me puzzled and annoyed.

AirCon on/off didn't make any difference. Likewise with cruise control.

I'm thinking maybe it's a tyre balance problem, but no shake in the steering wheel and tyres are fairly new.

So off to my trusty mechanics of 25 years.

Lots of dough later (new coils, leads and spark plugs) the problem is still there. They were sure it was an ignition problem. Obviously it wasn't.

I said maybe injectors? dirty fuel? but they said no.

So last week they had it for another day, driving it around while watching the plugged in diagnostic computer.

All parameters were OK. The only thing that happened at the speed where the trouble started was a little clutch in the auto transmission locks in. Now my mechanic explained it to me thus....

Up to about 60kph or so the torque converter (or whatever transmits the engine power to the gearbox) can have about 6% slip. Above that speed a little hydraulic clutch mechanism actuates and physically locks the plates together so there is no slip, thus increasing fuel economy.

What was happening with my car was that although this clutch did actuate it was slipping and grabbing, thus causing the jerking feeling.

So he found the lead (from the computer) that controls this function and disconnected it.

So far on short drives the problem has gone.

He said there was no problem driving it like this (forever if needs be)...I would notice a slight increase in consumption and maybe slightly higher revs as before.

As yet I haven't done many kms since he came up with the solution so I can't verify the above.

To get to the little clutch (or clutches) is a whole engine/transmission out job....very very expensive.

My mechanic is going to talk to an auto gearbox expert about whether the hydraulic actuator ( which is accessible with the engine in place apparently) can be adjusted to deliver a greater pressure to the clutch to stop it slipping.

Now...has anyone else had this problem? (My mech says he hasn't come across it in a Camry before, but has with other cars).

Do you agree with the diagnosis?

Looking forward to hearing your opinions.

Thanks

[Ascendant Rice]

Ive noticed the same thing in my corolla in 4th gear, ive been told its the torque converter locking like u described. Doesnt really bother me too much sorta feels like the engines off lol.

[Blind Kid Seeks]

have you spoken to anyone from Toyota about this?

[Tezzaltise]

have you spoken to anyone from Toyota about this?

Not yet BKS.....the car's out of warranty and I'm a bit pessimistic about them being helpful. Have driven around today and the problem's definitely been fixed by what the mechanic did.

[benburg]

im having this problem you couldn't tell me were the wire they disconnected is and what color it is but it sounds like my problem to a tee thanks Ben