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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
I will do my best to explain this, its a feel thing so hope this will be clear. First the car in question: 2003 GT, stick, 15,000 miles. Second recent work done: changed oil from 5w30 to 10w30 and had belt and tensioner replaced.
I should note that I noticed this before the belt change.

The problem: at 4000 to 5000 rpm (80 to 90 mph) the throttle feels a little hard to push in (only a little) and there is almost a friction or crunchy feel. This only happens at high speeds and I only really noticed it the last two days. Also there is this feeling like there is a lot of drag coming from something, I feel like I'm dragging a dead body at these speeds.

She has always been a little crazy at high speed (what do you want from a 4 cyl), but this seems odd. It could all be in my mind but I would like your advice.

Last edited by Gen7fan; Jul 29, 2003 11:00am.

Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,667
ECelica Staff
ECelica Staff
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,667
Well, I've never experienced anything like this so I have no idea confused

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 182
Member
2002 Toyota 5 SpeedCelica
Member
2002 Toyota 5 SpeedCelica
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 182
Originally Posted by Gen7fan
. Also there is this feeling like there is a lot of drag coming from something, I feel like I'm dragging a dead body at these speeds.

scary quote + scary avatar...freaky sounding shit.

but ya sorry no clue...i have 2002 GT stick, never had that problem.

try the dealer?

Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 313
Member
2000 Toyota Celica GT
Member
2000 Toyota Celica GT
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 313
If it feels like the pedal has friction, your throttle cable may be offline and when you got your belt replaced they might of knocked it worse. Take off your passenger side engine plasic (big one) there will be a little black cover that looks like an upsidedown cup. Pull that off and look at your throttle, see if there is anything obtrusive on it or if it's not exactly online. If not PM me and I'll check into some other possibilities

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
Will do, I'll let you know what I find. Big Ass Thanks thumbsup

Joined: Dec 2002
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ECelica Staff
2001 Toyota Celica
ECelica Staff
2001 Toyota Celica
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,660
Yea, check the throttle cable. Also, check the body itself. Make sure its opening and closing properly. It only does it at high speeds, or all time in that rpm range? Could you be at idle and make it do it? If so, have a buddy rev it up while you check under the hood. Try that and check out those things. Post back your results.

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
I will check the cable, and yes it only feels this way at high speeds. She is tip top right up until about 80 mph.

Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,660
ECelica Staff
2001 Toyota Celica
ECelica Staff
2001 Toyota Celica
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,660
This is very interesting. I have never heard of this problem before. It is sill under warranty. Go get it checked out.

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
I want to see what I can see and then I will take it in to them. I wonder what the service guy will say when I tell him my problem is at 80 and 90mph, hahaha.

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 522
Senior Member
2002 Toyota Celica
Senior Member
2002 Toyota Celica
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 522
Okay dude, THat crunchy feel is probably because of two things:

1) the cable needs to be lubricated. there is a special tool that allows you to shoot grease into the cable sleeve with the cable still installed. this may fix your problem altogether, and the dealership can do it for you, or, you can get the tool from an auto parts shop and do it yourself (you'll also need a grease gun & some lithium grease)... unless of course...

2) your throttle cable is beginning to fray, or come unraveled somewhere, in which case, you should replace the entire throttle calbe.

Other areas to check out would be the throttle rotator on the throttle body (the little "half-moon" shaped wheel your throttle cable goes to), it may be bent a little, or, the springs on the rotator may be cracking. also be sure to inspect the ends of the cable. both at the pedal & TB. make sure it's all in good health.

You may want to clean your intake manifols and throttle body with throttle body & MAF cleaner spray (STP and others make this, available at auto parts stores) this will clean out carbon sludge, and you may restore some of that power, clean the MAF while you're at it; be sure to read the instructions for use on the can, it's real important. that may also be why the throttle is hard to manipulate; if the TB butterfly is all gummed up, cleaning it may help.

Odds are, you just need to clean up the intake tract a bit, and lube the throttle cable.

BTW: one more thing... This may sound stupid, but honestly, this happened to me, and you'll slap yourself if it happens to you too.

I recently put an additional set of plasticolor mats in my GTS, to keep from wrecking the factory mats at the car wash, or when wrencing on it. I use them daily to keep my interior clean.

I noticed the car wouldn't accelerate as fast as it used to, and the lift didn't engage as easily.

I was able to get up to 100 on the interstate, but from there, the car just crawled. I couldn't figure it out for the life of me, then it hit me... My new floormats were taller than the stock ones, and the accelerator pedal, well, it has almost no clearance between the floorboard and the bottom of the pedal when it's floored. my new mat was geting in the way of the pedal's full travel (the mat is only like 1/2" thick).
I slid the mat back, and under the front seat a little, so the top of the mat was level with the factory mat (notice, it's cut out by the gas pedal?). suprise, suprise, it fixed the problem.

Sometimes the solution is so simple, you fail to realize it immediately.


Last edited by Rave669; Jul 29, 2003 3:30pm.

Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10,110
05 WRB
2005 Subaru WRX STi
05 WRB
2005 Subaru WRX STi
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 10,110
I have to agree that the throttle cable and body need to be checked...something would be interfering when it is opened or moved to that certain point when the gas is pressed...check them out.


SUBARU TECNICA INTERNATIONAL

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
Well I'm an asshole! I did check the throttle body and the whole 9 yards. Shes fine, every thing is in place lubed up and lookin like the day I bought her. I'm an asshole because its my shoes. Up until two days ago I have alway had boots on when I drive her (docs, grinders, tanks), but I had my airwalks on the last two days. Point is I'm feeling the vibration that I have never felt before.

But you guys are great, on point with all your help. I can't thank you enough for the effort. Thank You.

Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,667
ECelica Staff
ECelica Staff
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,667
Originally Posted by Gen7fan
Well I'm an asshole! I did check the throttle body and the whole 9 yards. Shes fine, every thing is in place lubed up and lookin like the day I bought her. I'm an asshole because its my shoes. Up until two days ago I have alway had boots on when I drive her (docs, grinders, tanks), but I had my airwalks on the last two days. Point is I'm feeling the vibration that I have never felt before.

But you guys are great, on point with all your help. I can't thank you enough for the effort. Thank You.



lollol lollol lollol ... you so funny ... hehehehehe

Nice one, I can't even drive in boots.

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 894
Senior Member
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 894
uhhhh??
i have an 03 gts, but i thought all the 03 celi's had the electronic throttle? correct me if i'm wrong here


rip celi...
95 240sx

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
yeah, I'm a tool.

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 522
Senior Member
2002 Toyota Celica
Senior Member
2002 Toyota Celica
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 522
Don't feel bad, we all miss the stupid little things that cause issues from time to time. It also tends to get a little personal, 'cause we all tend to be a bit anal about our cars as well, and every little issue tends to become larger than life.

Glad I could help smile

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
Originally Posted by element_celica
uhhhh??
i have an 03 gts, but i thought all the 03 celi's had the electronic throttle? correct me if i'm wrong here


Corrected, your wrong. grin

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
ThE iRoN mAiDeN
2003 Toyota Celica GT
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,899
Originally Posted by Rave669
Don't feel bad, we all miss the stupid little things that cause issues from time to time. It also tends to get a little personal, 'cause we all tend to be a bit anal about our cars as well, and every little issue tends to become larger than life.

Glad I could help smile


Thanks buddy! grin rice

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,442
Wheezy Joe
2002 Kawasaki Ninja 250
Wheezy Joe
2002 Kawasaki Ninja 250
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,442
I thought the 03 Celica has "fly-by-wire" throttle ? confused


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To know even one life has breathed easier
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2001 Toyota Celica GT
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