4Runner Suddenly jerks forward after pressing gas

[rooneyy]

Hello everyone!

I find this a little odd and I have searched to no avail.

This occasionally happens...I'm driving along and then I'll either slow down or stop all together then accelerate again and the car rev's but doesn't move then suddenly jerks forward. Then it will continue to drive normally again. It's as if I am pressing on the gas to about 1000-2000 RPM's while in neutral then putting it into Drive suddenly, except I'm not. It feels like the car is doing that on it's own randomly.

It's a little hard to explain. I will continue to do some research and hopefully come up with something. Thanks for your input guys and gals!

 

[HB 4X4]

It could just be the driveline clunk. Do a search for it and you'll find dozens of threads about it. It's a simple fix if that's what it is- just lube the drive shaft.

 

[JoH4'08]

Hello everyone!

I find this a little odd and I have searched to no avail.

This occasionally happens...I'm driving along and then I'll either slow down or stop all together then accelerate again and the car rev's but doesn't move then suddenly jerks forward. Then it will continue to drive normally again. It's as if I am pressing on the gas to about 1000-2000 RPM's while in neutral then putting it into Drive suddenly, except I'm not. It feels like the car is doing that on it's own randomly.

It's a little hard to explain. I will continue to do some research and hopefully come up with something. Thanks for your input guys and gals!

Mine does the same thing, I have a 2008 SR5 i bought in Aug. '12 with 142,000mi and it does it randomly too. Its happens mostly when I am at a stop and give it gas, it feels like the car behind me is bumping into me.

 

[Greydog]

Same here, it seems related to the traction/stability mgmt systems. Mine is accompanied by a noise near the brake pedal too, sometimes its the sound of a spring releasing and then full power compes back to the throttle.

I asked at the dealer and they say its normal, to control how much power you put into the trans when you shift quickly back into drive. blah, blah, blah.

Mine is worse when I back up and then go forward, it can easily be a 3-4 second delay.

I get that it may be there for protecting the trans when rolling back and shifting into Drive, but mine has gotten worse over time. I think the mechanism making the spring noise of the culplit but have not really looked into it further yet.

Let us know what you find out, there are other posts on this issue to I know its somewhat prevalent.

 

[Burt]

It could just be the driveline clunk. Do a search for it and you'll find dozens of threads about it. It's a simple fix if that's what it is- just lube the drive shaft.

Yep, very common. I lube the drive shaft once a year and it hasn't came back.

 

[lehiguy]

The engine revving up and then suddenly you experience movement is most certainly NOT as simple as a slip and spline that needs grease. You have a tranmission issue. Either you are low on fluid, have a clogged filter, internal leaks, etc. I would get it checked out and flushed ASAP. Sealed tranmissions with "lifetime" fluid is a load of crap. There is no such thing in reality. It needs service.

 

[Greydog]

Sorry Rooneyy, I read too fast (missed the reving part).

I agree with Lehiguy, if the endgine is reving but there no immediate forward in gear, then there is a trans issue perhaps.

 

[rooneyy]

Many thanks for everyone's input. I will get it checked out.

 

[ryanbt]

Mine does the same thing. After it's been in reverse, come to a complete stop, and put in drive and start moving forward about a second later it accelerates a bit more than I would have pushed the pedal. No noise or anything. This seems to be more noticeable if I have the wheels turned. (backing out of my driveway or a parking spot when I'm turning directions is where it happens the most). Please report back your findings.

 

[lehiguy]

Mine does the same thing. After it's been in reverse, come to a complete stop, and put in drive and start moving forward about a second later it accelerates a bit more than I would have pushed the pedal. No noise or anything. This seems to be more noticeable if I have the wheels turned. (backing out of my driveway or a parking spot when I'm turning directions is where it happens the most). Please report back your findings.

That may be normal. Torque converters are like variable ratio hydraulic clutches. When you start off, there will be, depending on the specific machine, as much as a 3:1 reduction at the converter, let alone what the actual gear ratio is for first gear. That ratio reduces with speed and decreased load and would be felt as acceleration. Again, what you are feeling MAY be normal... maybe not.

 

[rooneyy]

Sorry things have been so hectic I haven't had time to had this looked at. As of right now though, it hasn't happened as much if at all. I will definitely report back when I get it check out.

 

[rooneyy]

Still need to get this fully diagnosed but I have narrowed it down to do this everytime I brake hard. It is guaranteed to happen every time i brake that hard.

 

[rooneyy]

So I had time to finally take it to the shop to have it looked at. The issue is a bad transmission solenoid that is stuck in the ON position. So this was a special order part from Toyota which costs $195 and 4 hours of labor. All in all I am looking at about $700, it's a little steep but I'd rather get it done now and right before it leads to other issues. Hope this helps anyone with this same issue!

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Thanks for letting us know what was wrong. To many people post problems and then never come back to let us know the fix. How many miles on your 4runner?

 

[oljedi11950]

^^^^^^^

 

[rooneyy]

it's my pleasure, I know what you mean. I have been to several threads where I have had the same issue but there was no resolution ever posted.I have one hundred and twenty thousand miles on my 4 runner.

 

[Keros]

Hello everyone!

I find this a little odd and I have searched to no avail.

This occasionally happens...I'm driving along and then I'll either slow down or stop all together then accelerate again and the car rev's but doesn't move then suddenly jerks forward. Then it will continue to drive normally again. It's as if I am pressing on the gas to about 1000-2000 RPM's while in neutral then putting it into Drive suddenly, except I'm not. It feels like the car is doing that on it's own randomly.

It's a little hard to explain. I will continue to do some research and hopefully come up with something. Thanks for your input guys and gals!

I have developed this same problem... except the transmission isn't throwing any codes.

As Rooneyy had, I brake hard to a crawl and then roll into the throttle to get going again and I find the truck feels to be in neutral... then it kicks itself into first gear and gives us all whiplash. The sensation feels like being rear-ended by something big.

Without a code, there's no way to know what's wrong. Has anyone had this happen before?

Truck in question is an '05 Limited V8, ~278000km

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[52577]

I once owned a 2009 Saturn Sky roadster that had this same problem. It is a known issue within the sky/soltice community. I don't know if it is the same issue as the 4Runner, but I'll post the link to the solution. Hopefully it helps.

Click below and scroll to the top of the thread. There is a very knowledgeable write-up explaining why.

Saturn Sky Forums: Saturn Sky Forum

My previous '03 Sorento also had the same problem, but never got resolved. If I find out I'll post that as well.

 

[Wells1203]

^^^^^^^

So I had time to finally take it to the shop to have it looked at. The issue is a bad transmission solenoid that is stuck in the ON position. So this was a special order part from Toyota which costs $195 and 4 hours of labor. All in all I am looking at about $700, it's a little steep but I'd rather get it done now and right before it leads to other issues. Hope this helps anyone with this same issue!

Rooneyy did you ever get this fixed and curious if you did, did it help? Thanks! Having similar issue but it doesn’t jerk that hard just kind of feels like I have my foot on the brake pedal as I’m trying to take off.

 

[Ralph Blake]

Am waiting to read if the $700 repair fixed it.