I bought my 99 tl-p in November and since I've had it, 4th gear has always seemed... off. after about 80mph in 4th gear, you can floor it, and it seems to top out at around 95? but my rpms, are only at about 3000. it just feels like there's no torque. In the past week or so I began smelling something burning from the engine bay, but i haven't been able to locate the cause yet.
Then yesterday on the way home, I got onto the highway, and 1st gear started feeling odd too, once again, no torque. and my acceleration was much much slower. but after it shifted into 2nd, it felt fine? Any ideas?? Its been throwing codes, but the engine check light comes and goes, along with the TCS light, an help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Get your codes read. We can better help you once we know what codes you are throwing.

 

ASAP on the codes, parts stores (except California) will ck the system for free
Write down the exact letter-number combos

by themself they are not a diagnosis--merely clues... but we need them

hows the atf look and smell?

 

I had them read yesterday, and they said it was throwing 2 codes about the EGR. I'll get them checked again tomorrow and write them down. The guy i was talking to recommended trying seafoam, so I'll probably try that. But it sounds like i may need to clean the egr valve

 

egr codes usually mean the system is clogged- not the valve itself is bad

common prob for us - every 75kmiles it needs removal of intake manifold and cleanout of the length of egr passage- and all ports,,plus ck and lube egr valve arm
couple hours at a casual pace
seafoam will cure many things,,, except this one!
foam at 1 can to 8 gallons gas in tank method,,repeat on another half tank, then good for a year

 

I checked the atf, and it looks, and smells fine.
So, I'm gonna take it and have the egr cleaned this weekend, so I'll post the results when its done.