Power loss when in gear?

[thinus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close thinus]

Hi,
Some advise for a newbie?
Just returned from a trip in 120 petrol (auto). When in neutral the vehicle revs fine . When in gear (drive of other) the engine experiences power loss. Can't accellarate etc. Revs are all over the place :cry: . Simptoms are similar to water in petrol or crook air flow meter. (Cruise control has no impact).
I had to pull over switch off and restart which teporarily improved the symptoms to get home.
The MAF was replaced earlier this year. (May check it again and clean. Is Isopropyl Alcohol the preferred cleaner? :?: )

Is there a sensor on the gearbox or other that can cause this.
This only happens in gear - no prob in P of N.
Gratefull for any advise...
TS

[clifton Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close clifton]

Re: Power loss when in gear?

Hi,
Some advise for a newbie?
Just returned from a trip in 120 petrol (auto). When in neutral the vehicle revs fine . When in gear (drive of other) the engine experiences power loss. Can't accellarate etc. Revs are all over the place :cry: . Simptoms are similar to water in petrol or crook air flow meter. (Cruise control has no impact).
I had to pull over switch off and restart which teporarily improved the symptoms to get home.
The MAF was replaced earlier this year. (May check it again and clean. Is Isopropyl Alcohol the preferred cleaner? :?: )

Is there a sensor on the gearbox or other that can cause this.
This only happens in gear - no prob in P of N.
Gratefull for any advise...
TS

Hi Thinus,
I would first scan your ECU for fault codes using an OBDII compliant scanner before cleaning the MAF sensor as your MAF sensor is reasonably new, I use only MAF sensor cleaner not sure if Isopropyl Alcohol based.

[HGMonaro Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close HGMonaro]

Re: Power loss when in gear?

for it to rev 'all over the place' and "can't accellerate" whilst in gear could indicate a transmission problem. Has it (the auto transission) been serviced? However, turning it off shouldn't change anything (unless you also let it cool down) if that's the problem, mechanical gremlins don't just go away... electrical ones however can!

What year and how many Kms has it done?

[thinus Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close thinus]

Re: Power loss when in gear?

It's a 2003, 105,000km. Agents claim contaminated fuel. Its seems better but contaminated fuel would not explain it being 100% when in N or P. Verdict is not in yet on the route cause.
PS: Aso checked the MAF and its clean as can be.

[Jon Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Jon]

Re: Power loss when in gear?

Hada similar problem with my (previous) 90 series auto.
Eventually, after speaking to the service manager, Toyota finally agreed that there was a problem.
It turned out to be a gearbox sensor that was faulty (I did suggest this!)