About 4 weeks ago, I would start the car and get some pops and stutters in idle while warming up the car. You could feel them and hear them in the exhaust and the RPM would temporarily drop when this happens. In addition to this, I got a brief hick up at about 7000 rpm when freeway merging. While the engine rpm's were still climbing, it felt like a loss of power. Car stopped accelerating till about 8000 rpm, then I shifted.

Ordered new spark plugs and cleaned my MAF sensor. Problem went away upon install for the first time except for 1 stutter once engine was warm before driving off.

2nd time I started my car, and the problem was about 50% back. 3rd time I started my car, it was fully back.

Today, I accelerated to 9k and again at ~7000 the power cut out while the engine was still climbing in rpm. Car slowed down, then picked back up, then slowed down again, then picked back up, then cut out completely till about 8500 at which point I shifted. During this time, the check engine light flashed on for 2 seconds, came off for 2 seconds, and then repeated this pattern for about 30 seconds. So far, I've only felt this problem in 2nd gear. Nothing in first, and I've not had a chance to hit 9k in 3rd yet.

Wondering what this is?

One thing to note, I've had increasing transmission issues ever since I had a new clutch installed in my car about 2 years ago. The car will shudder at low speeds (think less than 8 mph) and at idle, but will go away if you push the clutch in. I've also had increasingly difficult times getting the car into all gears, especially reverse. I'm waiting to get this fixed as I'm moving soon, but for the time being, I need the car to run just a bit longer before I can fully take it off line to repair. But this new issue is concerning me and not sure if it is related.

 

Typically I would say check your cat for clogging, but given the history of clutch issues it's possible the clutch is slipping.

The way to differentiate is if the rpms are climbing but speed isn't, it's the clutch. If the rpm isn't climbing, look at the cat.

 

Awesome, thanks.

 

Sounds like bad engine mounts to me.

 

Gotta bump with an update.

Took clutch to a mechanic to check on the problem. Said the clutch looked perfect along with the bearing and flywheel. The guy said he wasn't able to get any of my symptoms described, which is odd to me because it is an issue that is very easily noticed within the first 5 miles of driving. But wouldn't go on a test drive with me driving.

He then said there was a hick up in the speed sensor that he believes is attached to the front wheel hubs.

Since the transmission is obviously an issue, could it be anything else? Is it the speed sensor you think? Checked engine mounts, they are good.

 

You had the check engine light flash? It's the cat.
Have you checked the cat yet?

There are 4 speed sensors, one in each wheel hub. A 'hiccup' could be a few things, what did he recommend you do about it?
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He recommended replacing the sensors on the front wheel hubs (which is where he told me they were). I'll check the cat, but it may be a bit. Thanks for the quick response.

 

the front wheel sensors aren’t replaceable, it requires new replacement wheel hub assemblies.

 

Did you ever get a solution? Im having a similar problem with revs going up but minimal to no acceleration. I recently got a new clutch installed about 2000 miles ago.

 

Your clutch is slipping. If rpms increase without speed increasing, the engine is not firmly connected to the wheels. Take it back to whoever installed it.

 

Thank you for your reply. Can I add that over the last few days I am also getting a violent shuddering or vibrating about 15-30 minutes in while driving at constant speed. This settles itself and may come and go a few times. And there is also a screeching or whining noise when I pull down the window. And on my recent drive there was a little bit of a burnt smell at the end of my journey. Do you think all this fits with a slipping clutch plate or is it likely a different issue

 

Burnt smell, shuddering fit. I'm not sure about your window, but you at least have a slipping clutch

 

You are amazing. Thank you !!