Help me please , my toyota camry 1999 got 140k miles on it. It wont accelerate at first anymore. After I forcefully press accelerator and engine rpm goes to about 3k. It takes some move and at last when I get it to about 10mph it accerates and , as an automatic it changes future gears smoothly. What could be problem ?

 

How does the car accelerate above 10 MPH?

Check trans fluid level and condition such as black in color.

Try to determine if the trans is shifting through all the gears and not stuck in 2nd or 3rd.

Sometimes the torque converter clutch in the trans fails to unlock resulting in what you are experiencing. At speeds above 40 MPH release the O/D button to turn it off, engine RPM should rise by about 300 when clutch unlocks converter.

 

This is a problem I have been experiencing for 2 months now. It happens even if you , hard press brakes, such as when some people get in middle , might be at 20mph. The transmission , sort of, unlocks and car wont accelerate, and even when I press accelerator, engine rpm could go to 4-5k, unless I wait for 2-5sec for the , transmission to , sort of, "click in place", (although there is no such sound). Then it accelerates smoothly. Recently when in that "phase" when the trasnmission is not "in place", after it tries to go in place the car sort of vibrates little bit, and then accelerates smoothly.

Ohh yeah and no problem after car goes above 10mph, it accelerates to 75mph, that speed where I drive. No problem.

Also , and I dont know this might be due to recent sudden cold hit. The car stopped accelerating at first at all when it cold. After 5 min it goes forward.

Why could that happen?

 

Have you checked the trans fluid level and condition of fluid?

Might be a fluid pressure issues, the trans has a pump that circulates the fluid to operate all the internal components such as valves, clutches and brakes. The fluid may not be building up pressure.

Or could be a sticky valve which directs the fluid to the right components.

Or other issues.

When the car is parked and does not move try manually shifting the trans to 1st. ALso determine if the car will move in reverse.

When the trans stops working after deceleration try manually down shifting from D to 2nd (only do this at low MPH) and determine if the trans re-engages.

There are no adjustments for the trans. If the trans fluid is dirty the best you can do is to change all the transmission fluid (including torque converter) and hope for the best.

Otherwise time to take to a shop. But beware most shops have only one answer to all problems, this being to replace the trans.

 

Thank you for your prompt response It repair. There was no transmission fluid in me car!!!

 

One last question, this particular thing which I highlight in yellow got removed (cam off and is just hanging there) and my battery got discharged. Do you know what it is?

 

The cable highlighted in yellow is a push/pull mechanical cable, not an electrical cable.

The cable is called the kick down cable.

It goes between the pulley on throttle body and transmission housing and a valve inside the trans.

When driving and the throttle is fully pressed, the cable actuates the valve to down shift the trans one gear.

As in going up a long hill and the engine revs start to drop along with the cars MPH. Fully pressing the throttle will force the trans to shift to a lower gear, allowing the engine to rev higher and produce more HP.

Don't know why the battery became discharged.