QuestionQUESTION: I believe there are a few things wrong with my car, but it may just be one thing. I am planning on it being taken to the dealer tomorrow, but maybe you can tell me before they slap a huge bill in my face, what I should expect...
1. Randomly when I would make a stop the car would not respond to gas pedal depression after the stop ( making it horribly dangerous at busy intersections) but then after pushing the pedal to the floor for a few seconds, the car would leap forward suddenly (scaring the crap out of me further! As if sitting in the middle of an intersection with traffic coming quickly towards me wasn't enough!)
2. It started to make a really horribly whining noise ( somewhere in the engine) it would make the noise while driving and in park and the car would act like it didn't want to shift. When it would shift the rpms would be horribly jumpy.
3. After driving it to a bar, and leaving it in the parking lot for only about 4 hours, it would refuse to drive more than a 15mph all the way home, thankfully only a few miles away. After parking it in the driveway it hasn't moved since, immediately after I start the car, while still in park, I can get the rpms to respond by pushing the gas, but only for a second. After that it won't respond again...
Please help! I've read lots of forums online stating it could be the transmission, transfer case, or throttle positioning sensor. The non-response from the gas pedal wouldn't be caused by the trans though...
Thanks!
Amanda
ANSWER: Hi Amanda -
Actually the non responsive pedal could be from low or no fluid in the transmission. Have you checked the level?
If the level is fine, then check the color of the oil. Trans oil should be bright red. If it is brown, the oil is burned, and should be replaced along with the filter screen.
Looks like the transmission is slipping badly. Try an additive called AT205, has worked wonderfully in my experience.
If not then a trans overhaul is probably what it needs. I would take it to a transmission specialist instead of the dealer. It will be a lot less costly.
Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: The muranos have a CVT transmission...so no way to check anything.
ANSWER: 1) Drive the car for about 15 minutes to warm up the transmission fluid - warm fluid flows faster
2) Park on a level surface, apply the parking brake (!)
3) Optional - jack up the car and place on jackstands, all four corners (remember the car needs to be level for a proper drain)
4) The CVT oil pan is located on the drivers side - easy to find because the big metal/plastic scoop
5) The CVT drain plug is located on the back half of the oil pan
6) Place a large container (8 qts recommended) beneath the drain plug
7) Remove drain plug with a 19mm socket
8) Be careful! Oil will be quite warm and gushes out very quickly. You might want to wear a pair of latex gloves for this.
9) Allow 10-15 minutes for CVT fluid to drain out.
10) Important - pour used CVT fluid into separate containers - I used old 1 gallon water jugs - to calculate approximately how much fluid you should add back in - in my case, it filled a little less than 1-1/2 gallon jugs, so I estimated 5-1/2 quarts.
11) Remove the old copper gasket - I used a flathead screwdriver to pry it up, then unscrewed it from the threads
12) Replace with new copper gasket
13) Reinstall the drain plug - hand tighten with socket wrench - similar to how you hand tighten the oil drain plug (i.e. a few strong tugs after the gasket has been flattened)
14) The CVT dipstick is also the charging pipe to add new CVT fluid. It is locked into place with a plastic tab. Use one tip on the nose of pliers (opened) to push in the plastic tab facing the front of the car, then pull up to release the dipstick. I used the pliers because the first time I removed the dipstick, I used the small flathead screwdriver, and ended up breaking the plastic tab! The dealer replaced the dipstick for me for free though.
15) Using the narrow neck funnel, which should fit neatly into the CVT tube, refill with NS-2 fluid the same amount you drained out.
16) Reinsert the CVT dipstick with the plastic tab rotated 180 degrees (i.e. so it does not lock) - this makes it easier later on to check the CVT fluid level.
17) Take your MO for a test drive, and with the engine at operating temperature (again 10-15 minutes drive), shift through all the gears and then back to park (this is what the FSM says, but its a CVT, so I dunno why you need to do it).
18) With the engine idling and gear in Park, pull the CVT dipstick and check the level - it should be within the normal range. If low, add CVT fluid as required, 1/4 quart at a time (then recheck).
19) When level is correct, reinsert the CVT dipstick so that the plastic tab locks in place again.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: The vehicle isn't responding to the gas pedal...it's impossible to drive.
The ses codes are as follows:
P0420- catalyst system
P1778- step motor fnc
P1273- air fuel ratio sensor
P0021- intake camshaft position timing
AnswerHi Amanda -
I apologize. I did not realize that you had all those codes. That should have been my first question, but I assumed there were none as none were mentioned.
That said, yes, perhaps the ECM is not reading the inputs of the sensors. Either way probably the best thing is to take it in and have it checked out by a reputable mechanic.
Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin
