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Comments
Bear with me for a moment and just briefly assume that my theory is correct that these 1999 to current MY transaxle problems have arisen out of the need to alleviate the potential for engine compression braking interferring with the anti-lock braking system.
If that is the case and an investigation were to be opened the obvious conclusion would be, must be, that absent these new transaxle charactoristics all FWD or front torque biased AWD vehicles are inherently unsafe for operating on adverse, slippery, roadbed conditions.
So were I the head of the NHTSA I wouldn't dare even open an investigation once Toyota informed me of the base purpose, cause, of these symptoms.
So, go slow to go fast - now wrap that in with transmission "learning" and tell me how confused the car is going to get? :shades:
Granted, these ECU's do have to "learn" the charactoristics of the individual sensors and in some cases deterministic forcing functions due to unavoidable tolerances. But I do not believe that any significant level of driver unique charactoristics "learning" is involved in the majority of these "driveability" complaints.
Yes, most of these systems "watch" driver functions and according to the engineering white papers I have read will categorize each driver into one of four "bins" within a few seconds of first putting the vehicle in motion, and then with more time will refine the characterization into one of sixteen "bins".
But all of the learning regarding individual driver unique charactoristics is ERASED each and every time the engine is (re)started.
Upon a full lift-throttle event in SNOW mode the transaxle would remain in the same gear ratio but the engine RPM, via DBW, would not be allowed to fall enough to provide a significant level of engine braking to the driven wheels, front, rear, or ALL.
Absent being in SNOW mode the shift patetrn could be the same as it was pre-2000.
Now the stereo is going haywire. Sometimes it does not respond to the on/off button, and sometimes the display will not come on even though the controls work. Is there some kind of electronic problem that would affect both throttle control and the stereo? Seems unlikely but am curious.
i'm sorry that your dealership is giving you the run-around.
i've cited your post as a good application of a obd-ii reader and laptop to capture the very unsafe and non-normal operational behavior of your toyota vehicle - which your dealer is claiming is normal and won't do anything because (supposidly) they cannot re-create, they are not motivated to re-create, or re-creating will put them in a difficult situation.
look here:
user777, "2007 Toyota Camry Problems and Repairs" #4055, 29 Sep 2007 2:12 am
w.r.t. your stereo: here's what may be happening: do you use the on/off control of the radio a lot? if so, it's possible carbon build-up from many uses (everytime you press on, a tiny spark is generated at the switch contacts causing arcing and oxidation) is causing the switch to fail to close the circuit to power up the unit because of accumulation. it's possible specialized electrical cleaner could be used on the switch if the radio was removed, but you'd best have that theory passed by someone.
the radio display not working... sounds like it might be a loose connection to the radio or in the radio itself. sorry, i don't know more about the stereo in your vehicle.
I found the discussion of the computer reacting differently to different driving styles to be interesting as this has only happened once to my wife who is the principal driver of the car and happens frequently to me, five times in the past weekend. Quite dangerous as I nearly scared to death a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
What do I have to get Toyota to replace the sensors in the system, assuming that will fix this?
I would forcefully suggest the dealer replace your accelerator pedal assembly and throttle body assembly. If you had an uncontrolled accelerator event which you could not control with application of the brake, that is pretty serious.
You can't get the dealership to assume liability for the result of an accident.
If the dealership won't work with you and replace these items at the least (and I'm assuming the problem could also be with the Engine Control Unit but am assuming it's more likely the pedal assembly or throttle body assemby at fault), then personally: I'd get out of the vehicle ASAP even if I had to take a loss.
Your safety, the safety of others travelling with you, and the safety of others in the vicinity of your vehicle are more important than the financial loss.
Hopefully, you're not implying that he sell the vehicle to another poor sucker.
and no i don't believe in passing a problem like that along to another person...
i'd report it to the nhsta:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
and to the manufacturer:
http://www.toyota.com/help/contactus.html
i wouldn't try to sell it private sale - i'd try to sell it back to a toyota dealership - the entity in the best position to replace some components to eliminate the behavior forcing me out of the vehicle.
that's the best i could do. what would you propose for someone in that position?
I am very happy with most everything else about this vehicle. It is one of the best, most stable vehicles I have ever owned in snow, ice and slick conditions. It drives nicely and gets pretty good fuel mileage. But this transmission concerns me.
Please respond with any information you might have concerning this condition. If it is 'normal', is there somewhere to look that explains the condition and what it is doing? If, as I have been told and believe, it is not normal, does anyone have experience or advice for me?
Thank you
wwest hesitation abolition dbw -dfg
As of '08 Toyota has tried out a new fix, revised engine/transaxle ECU firmware that tries to determine the driver's "future" intent based on the rate at which the gas pedal is released. FAST, equaling/implying a coastdown intent and therefore the transaxle will more likely remain in the current gear ratio. Slow letup thereby implying an intent to enter cruise, constant speed mode, therefore an upshift if appropriate.
Custom Body Electronics Systems.......
http://nhthqnwws111.odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/docservlet/Artemis/Public/Pursuits/20- 07/EA/INME-EA07010-26873P.pdf
I checked with a Toyota mechanic about he hesitations and this is what he suggested.
stalling and hesitation problems on these engines are often caused by too much carbon and gummy deposits on the inside of the throttle body, you might consider asking your mechanic to clean the throttle body and the throttle plate, in most cases this simple solution works.