96 Camry V6 LE problem

[kman10587]

I've got a 96 Camry V6 LE with about 108,000 miles on it, major servicing at 102,000, and it's been acting up lately...the engine has been making a funny noise, really hard to describe, but its pitch goes up as I rev the engine higher. The other day, I had the car sitting in park for about 10 minutes, then when I shifted it into drive, it just rolled backwards slowly as if it were in neutral. I pressed the gas, but it just moved freely and did nothing. The brakes and the steering wheel were locked up as well. I shifted it back into park, turned off the engine, re-started the car, and everything worked fine. My first thought was that it was a transmission problem and that the transmission had failed to engage, but it could be anything, really. It's just weird that I could be in any gear, and the gas pedal would do absolutely nothing. Any ideas on what the problem could be?

[Brian R.]

Originally Posted by kman10587

The other day, I had the car sitting in park for about 10 minutes, then when I shifted it into drive, it just rolled backwards slowly as if it were in neutral. I pressed the gas, but it just moved freely and did nothing. The brakes and the steering wheel were locked up as well. I shifted it back into park, turned off the engine, re-started the car, and everything worked fine. My first thought was that it was a transmission problem and that the transmission had failed to engage, but it could be anything, really. It's just weird that I could be in any gear, and the gas pedal would do absolutely nothing. Any ideas on what the problem could be?

Not for nothing, are you sure the engine was running? Sounds exactly like what would happen if the engine were not running and then you started it.

If it never happens again, I would forget it and attribute it to a brain fart.

[kman10587]

The thing is, I remember turning it off and then turning it back on when it happened, so the engine must have been running...I think my transmission has just been acting up. The RPM needle oscillates quite a bit when I'm at a standstill, and the gear shifts are rather rough and punchy. I'm gonna have a mechanic take a look at it this weekend.

[Brian R.]

Your explanation does not explain the steering wheel and brake observations.

Good idea to have someone look at it. Rough idle is not a transmission issue either. Maybe a sign of the engine wanting to die (like it may have in the previous instance).

[kman10587]

The engine didn't die though, the car was still idling at about 750 RPM. It was if the engine had no idea I was pressing the gas pedal, seeing as how it didn't rev or cause motion. And I really have no idea why the brakes and steering locked up...I'll just wait and see what the mechanic says.

[Brian R.]

Second guess is a computer problem.

[kman10587]

That's what one of my other friends said, that the car might have done it as a security measure for some reason...

[Brian R.]

Stupidity measure is more like it..

[kman10587]

Heh, well, I'll make sure the ECU gets checked... :T