j1wood

I have had an issue that the diagnostic tests at the dealership don't pickup. I was hoping someone may have an idea.

My '02 RL drives erratically in hot weather and stop and go traffic. It continues to accelerate even when my foot is off the gas pedal. I notice that my brake foot is tired b/c I need to apply it harder to keep the car stopped. I particularly notice that at about 20mph if I take my foot off the gas it will slowly keep accelerating until I need to break.

I also have another issue and not sure if they are related. Often, but not all times, when the air condition is on the engine makes a high pitched racing sound even with slow/steady acceleration.

Any help or ideas would be great.

wackjum

Can it be replicated or does it happen randomly?

j1wood

The acceleration issue described happens every time the car is put under stress (extremely hot weather and stop/go traffic). The problem is that once the dealer gets around to looking at it the car has cooled down and the problem stops.

OLD_HATCH

High pitch sound like you are describing is probably the belt. Next time the high pitch sound comes on quickly hit off on the ac. if the sound goes away then your belts are either loose or need replacing.


As far as the surging, you say only on hot days/traffic so I take it that its not a constant problem.

Try this. Next time you feel like the car want to accelarate on its own, with your foot on the brake and the car completely stopped put the car into neutral. Keep an eye on the engine rpm. if it surges up and either stays there or fluctuates up and down then its probably some sort of idle problem.

If not it could be something out of the norm like sticking cable or maladjusted. (doubt this though)


If the idle stays the same when shifted into neutral (should be around 750 rpm) then the only other thing I can think of is the tq converter?


How has the maintenace been on this car and when were the belts and tranny fluid changed? You run premium? Any other problems?

j1wood

Thanks for the quick feedback. I'll check out what you suggested the next time it happens.

I follow the recommended maintanence schedule and all repairs have been at the dealership. I assume that the fluids were replaced within the last 15K miles. I'm not sure about the belts. I have run premium for life of vehicle. No other problems.