HELP! Something with my throttle?!?!

[latestgood]

Hello,

I have a 2002 Saturn SL2 (82,000 miles) Couple weeks ago, I've been hearing mteal clunking noise when I step on the gas. After much observation, this is what I happens:

- The clunking noise appears when I step on the gas
- It usually happens after driving my car for 3 hours
- The clunking noise goes on for an hour or two and disappears
- The clunking noise appears around 5-40MPH
- When clunking noise appears, the clunking noise increases as I step on the gas
- The clunking noise dissappears when car acclerates over 40-50MPH
- There is no clunking noise when I step on the gas in netural
- Recently, as clunking noise appeared as I pushed the gas, my rpm rapidly moved up and down from 1,800 - 2,000RPM

From this observation, could it be my throttle body or something else?

[maxwedge]

Realistically someone knowledgeable has to drive this to really figure out what's what.

[72chevelleOhio]

I agree with Max, however, I am going to guess its a transmission problem. Just 'cuz.

[Moppie]

It's confubulator.

[curtis73]

This is one of those situations where describing noises on the internet fail the magic prize. You might have to find someone to actually drive it.

From your description, the list could be huge: motor mounts, belt-driven accessory, transmission, CV joints, differential... who knows?

It does sound like a transmission issue if you're getting widely varying RPMs, but you didn't mention if its a manual or automatic so its tough to guess.