Computer problem?

[TJM]

My 02 has a weird issue of occasional sluggish takeoff. When it happens I can hit the gas and for 5 to 15 seconds the key might as well be out of the ignition for all the response it gets (zero). After that time it slowly starts responding.

We've changed the plugs and wires, cleaned the throttle body, REPLACED the throttle body, checked for codes on the scanner, all to no avail.

Someone told me it might be a computer problem. Does that sound like it might be the case? Has anyone had a similar experience, or know enough to chime in?

Thanks

 

[diverscale]

My 02 has a weird issue of occasional sluggish takeoff. When it happens I can hit the gas and for 5 to 15 seconds the key might as well be out of the ignition for all the response it gets (zero).



Thanks

key out of ignition, you mean, it is not started already? Or hitting the gas does not rev-up the engine. When it starts to responds, it does progressively, or back 100% from one second to another?

did it have those symptons before replacing the throttle body?

 

[TheDurk]

'02 is throttle-by-wire which is a very different beast than what the rest of us are used to. Sure, it could be the ECM, although Toyota electronics tend to be bullet-proof. There is a position sensor on the pedal that would be my first suspect. Did you test that?

 

[TJM]

It was happening before replacing the throttle body. It's been going on since I've had this one actually, bought it at 126,xxx. Is the TPS on the throttle body or is that elsewhere? If its on it, it went with the rest.

As far as the lag goes, its while the key is in the ignition and I'm driving around. Once in a while I hit the gas and get ZERO response. It was happening before and after I put bigger tires on it. Basically nothing has changed in the behavior of the vehicle since doing the following:

Larger tires (32s)
New shocks
New plugs
New wires
Cleaned throttle body
Replaced throttle body
Not sure about TPS

 

[TJM]

key out of ignition, you mean, it is not started already? Or hitting the gas does not rev-up the engine. When it starts to responds, it does progressively, or back 100% from one second to another?

did it have those symptons before replacing the throttle body?

When it starts to respond it does so sluggishly.

 

[gamefreakgc]

You replaced the TPS if you replaced the throttle body, it's attached.

Most of the time it's the TPS... unless it's a fuel delivery issue or like Durk suggested, perhaps the gas pedal/throttle sensor is malfunctioning?

Have you ever replaced the fuel filter? It's a $30 part and not hard to do if not rusted.

 

[TJM]

So there's a position sensor on the pedal? I haven't changed that yet. Haven't tried the fuel filter either. So is the consensus this can't be the computer?