NEW MEMBER REQUESTING HELP WITH 07 SOLARA PROBLEM

[STORMKING]

Greetings - this is my first post - although I have been "lurking" as a viewer for a long time.

I'll cut to the point. I just recently purchased a new 07 V6 SLE Solara - 5 weeks ago to be exact.

It reached 1200 miles last night - and I was very happy with it up to last night until..

As I was driving on the highway at about 65mph, all of a sudden, the car started slowing - despite my foot staying put on the accelerator, (the cruise was not on). It continued to slow down - as I tried to push harder on the accelerator to no avail. Then the check engine light and VTC lights came on. I made it to the side of the road - where I found myself driving 20MPH with the accelerator to the floor and the hazard lights on. I managed to exit onto side roads and made it home going 20 mph max - actually only 10 mph up hills (it was very late at night - so virtually nobody had to pass me).

The strange thing is - during the whole time - despite flooring the accelerator - the car only would reach a max of 20MPH. And even more strange - the RPM's never exceeded the 2 on the dial - no matter what I did with the accelerator.

Since this car is new - I am naturally really pissed off - since I bought a Toyota for the supposed "quality".

I called the dealer today - who naturally stated to bring the car in. I rather boldly proclaimed that I could not drive the darn thing in at 20mph max - and then he gave me a towing number to call for Monday.

I will have it towed in on Monday - and will let you know what they tell me.

But has anybody ever experienced this or heard of anything like it? I am curious to calm my mind before bringing it in - because - like I said - I am really pissed off at this happening on a brand new car.

Any comments are appreciated.

[woa_its_j3ff]

wow wtf.. that is the first time I ever heard of that, I would have no idea but maybe it has someting to do with the gas pedal stuff...

[STORMKING]

Thanks for the reply.

Maybe - but I am wondering if something with the stability control has gone wrong - since that was the only warning light that came on along with the check engine light.

It almost seemed like something was "holding" back the car from accelerating - when everything else seemed normal.

I also had an extra alarm/remote start added by the dealer - and I am wondering if the dealer screwed something up with the wiring. Since the alarm was added before I got the car - I am not holding my breath on that one.

[PhreakdOut]

It could be a number of various sensors. TPS is my guess. As you can tell, throttle is by wire not cable on the Solara.

I haven't heard of this being an issue. I wouldn't worry. Your car was assembled by some of the best workers in the world using parts made by the lowest cost bidder.

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

Does the car sound like it's constantly stuck in one gear and accelerates painstakingfully slow (e.g. it takes about 10 seconds to accelerate to 20mph instead of like 1-3)? It might sound like a blown fuse/relay for the transmission and it's stuck in fail-safe... Similar thing happened to my SenCrap once.

(SenCrap = brand-new 2004 Sentra that broke down on me 14 times before I got the Lemon Law to buy the hooptie back)

[STORMKING]

The lowest cost parts bidder is the part I worry about. I still thought Toyota used a little better parts.

Guess what car I drove to work today? The car that the Solara was intended to replace - a 91 Celica with 210,000 miles on it. It obviously used less low bid parts....

[STORMKING]

It took forever to even reach 20 mph after having to stop for lights - and then stayed there as a max.

I can tell you it was quite embarassing driving a brand new car at 20mph with the hazard lights flashing. At least it was 230AM and there were not many people around...

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

You mentioned remote start... Definitely sounds like they screwed up wiring somewhere and somehow overloaded the transmission relay; I remember only being able to do roughly 20, and even worse is that this happened to me TWICE; first time with perishable groceries in the trunk AND only having a cheap dealer-installed Chapman that shouldn't interfere with the drivetrain.

[PXLpainter]

Weird - freak thing, I'm sure... but let us know what you find out on Monday.

And BTW - Welcome!

[JMSinMaryland]

Anytime someone is towed in and the vehicle is still under factory warranty I pass the tow bill onto Toyota, just a heads up.

[Down2TheC]

I think I got this one. The throttle by wire kind of gave me the willies so I checked into the system wondering what happens if there's a failure. Could the system go haywire and keep the throttle open? Answer was no. The failure position of the system is twice idle. For any failure in the actuator there is a mechanical default that keeps the valve slightly cracked so that you can still move the car.

Sounds a lot like what you have. So if it's not really far or too dangerous you could drive it in. They'll give you a loaner while they dig. I guess it depends on traffic and shoulders on your route to the dealer.

[crispone]

W-E-L-C-O-M-E ! ! !


Sorry for your trouble. I would not worry about it. Some "sensor" or other ECU related signal/function has "malfunctioned". Yours failed "RIGHT AWAY", since it is a very new car. Such components likely RARELY fail, (in that NONE of us seem to have experienced it, so far...) and the EXCEPTION is LIKELY in your case. The issue will be diagnosed, the part will be replaced, and you will be driving a jolly happy 'lara around for a long time.

"...parts made by the lowest cost bidder..."

CONDITIONALLY, "YES"! Firstly, ANY bidder would have to be able to produce the component to SPEC. Design Validation testing, Part Validation testing, PPAP approval processes, and subsequent provision of statsitically process controlled Inspection Criterion Characteristic Data would heavily influence the reliability of the components that make up your vehicle. (Of which FEWER than you THINK are actually "manufactured" by Toyota... not unlike ANY manufacturer... but the process by which they are SELECTED and CONTROLLED is fairly "robust"... although market economics IS spreading them thin these days. )

Anyway... you either have one of these "exceptions" of sub-component failure... perhaps a piece out of a "bad lot" wherein some process control parameter varied outside of acceptable limits, etc... or you have a failure of some "SYSTEM" that is interactive within the many sub-systems that make up the complex control neuronet of your Toyota...


They should fix it... they WILL fix it... and you will be back on the road.

(If not, I would be extremely surprised... and disgusted with your dealership!)

Good luck... (Can you TELL I just had a REALLY STEEP CUP of JOE this morning?)


...he DID ask for someone to "calm his mind" before bringing it in!

BE CALM.... it'll work out! (Even Italian Exotics that cost a quarter million dollars have component or system failures! NO CAR IS PERFECT! Focus on developing a CONSTRUCTIVE and POSITIVE relationship with your dealer as a PRIORITY as you work through this first GLITCH! A GOOD relationship and history of mutual resolution at your dealer, can pay off IMMENSELY in your vehiclular future... )


-crisp

[crispone]

I think I got this one. The throttle by wire kind of gave me the willies so I checked into the system wondering what happens if there's a failure. Could the system go haywire and keep the throttle open? Answer was no. The failure position of the system is twice idle. For any failure in the actuator there is a mechanical default that keeps the valve slightly cracked so that you can still move the car.

^^^ Sounds like a VERY GOOD chance the car kicked in to this "SAFE" mode when it "defaulted" from a "self-diagnostic" detection! Just THINK!!! That is actually a WOW!!!! AMAZING VEHICLE, type of thought!

When your CAR can determine a "SMALL" problem, and keep it from becoming a HUGE problem... even CATASTROPHIC FAILURE... THAT is a feature to be impressed with!


There, how's THAT for a "calming" and reassuring thought?


-crisp

[MCOjerry]

Wow, crazy! However, even the best car maker in the world is going to have some problems.

Think positively in that it's brand new, and won't cost you a dime. I know it's disheartening for something like this to happen so soon, but better now than later when they can try to say you did something to it.

Try to be patient, let them fix it and keep a close eye on it. Take it back at the slightest sign of reocurrence, and KEEP ALL OF YOUR RECORDS!

If, by chance, you have a lemon; it will be easier for you to deal with it.

I doubt you have a lemon, probably more a small failure like everyone is saying...but best of luck.

Please let us know what the dealer tells you.

[RDKamikaze]

My guess is that a fuse or relay for the tranny got screwed up, like stated above. It sounds like it's in a safe mode for sure.

On another note, welcome to the forum!