HELP! 6000 rpm at 60mph?!? Shaking on the highway?

[jbrams]

I was on the highway tonight and got my 1992 Toyota Corolla up to about 60mph when all heck broke loose! The tachometer went up to 6000rpm and the engine wouldn't stop revving so fast until I slowed to 45-50mph (the tach went to about 3300rpm then).

It was real disturbing and the whole car was shaking/vibrating. Has this happened to anyone else? Does anyone know what might cause this?

Please help, I'm very worried about my corolla which has otherwise been so good to me.

Thanks so much,
Megan

[jbrams]

Could it be that it's low on ATF?
Megan

[Oz]

Sounds like it slipped out of gear if it's an auto or the clutch and/or gearbox if a manual.

[jbrams]

Originally Posted by Oz

Sounds like it slipped out of gear if it's an auto or the clutch and/or gearbox if a manual.

Thanks for the reply, from a moderator no less! It's an automatic, I had a friend check the ATF and while it was not running it seemed fine, but when it was running and at "opperating temperature" (how hot is that?) it was quite a bit low on ATF he said.

Which kind of AFT would you use to top of the stuff currently in there?

Could that cause it to slip out of gear like you said? Or could it be something else? How hard it changing the ATF fluid and filter (and how often should that be done, like every 50,000 miles?)?

Thanks again for all you help, I'm still very nervous about this though.

[Toyota91]

Ya it seems like your ATF fluid is low. You don't even have to change it at this point. Let your engine run for a while and put some in your tranny dip-stick hole. Don't over fill.

I suggest you take it to a lube place and have them do it for you, it's much safer that way. You should change the fluid every 30 000 miles.

PS: Let me know if this works.

[jbrams]

I filled it back to normal levels with Lucas stop leak/stop slip/ATF additive. It has not repeated the problem and certainly shifts much more smoothly in the lower gears. I made sure that it was at normal opperating temperature and checked the levels while it was running (as per the owner's manual). Now it's at the lower end of the "hot" section as opposed to half way between the cold and hot markers.

I'll be bringing it in to have the filter and ATF changed soon. Which place would you recommend:
Midas, Pepboys, Bridgestone, Jiffylube, or another?

Thanks a million,
Megan

[Oz]

Get them to check the tension of the belts inside the auto box as well. It could be that they're loose. I wouldn't be going to any of those places - goto a specialist auto transmission place. Preferably one that has been around for many years.

BTW, my Corolla shakes on the highway too. Could be that it sits 70mm off the ground (3")

[jbrams]

Originally Posted by Oz

Get them to check the tension of the belts inside the auto box as well. It could be that they're loose.

Thanks, I'll have my mechanic look at that. Do you know how much it would cost to adjust the belts' tension if it is loose?

I wouldn't be going to any of those places - goto a specialist auto transmission place. Preferably one that has been around for many years.

That's true, but shop rates in my area are very high (average is $85-90) so I am looking for a cheaper alternative. I'll check prices again though, maybe the difference will be smaller than I guessed.

BTW, my Corolla shakes on the highway too. Could be that it sits 70mm off the ground (3")

I didn't know that this was considered very high. I think the shaking this time was simply because my motor was revving so dang high (6000+ RPM). Good point though!

Thanks for the additional tips, I can use all the help I can get!
Megan

[Oz]

Beleive me when I say the specialists will be worth the premium in this case. Checking the tension on the belts and probably checking fluid and a few other bits and pieces you're maybe looking at $50 on top of labour. I was sorta kidding about the height, I have one of the lowest cars on the road.