Hesitation Acceleration

Henri Luu · December 5, 2009

Hello to All,

I recently bought a 2004 ES330 with 142k on it. It was running great for about a month or so. Recently, the accelerator seem to be hesitating for a second or two, especially at low speed? What could be the problem? From my experience. I thought it was the spark plugs. But I can only change the outside three. The inside is a lot more difficult. Please help with advice on changing the inside plugs or identify the problem. Pictures would be greatly appreciated. Thanks you in advance....

1990LS400 · December 6, 2009

These cars are way to complex to guess that a problem like yours is caused by something as simple as bad spark plugs. Do yourself a favor and take your car to a pro mechanic for a diagnosis.

George_Jetson · December 6, 2009

Hello to All,
I recently bought a 2004 ES330 with 142k on it. It was running great for about a month or so. Recently, the accelerator seem to be hesitating for a second or two, especially at low speed? What could be the problem? From my experience. I thought it was the spark plugs. But I can only change the outside three. The inside is a lot more difficult. Please help with advice on changing the inside plugs or identify the problem. Pictures would be greatly appreciated. Thanks you in advance....

Did any maint records come with the car? I would suggest pulling one of the plugs and looking at it, measure the gap, does it look like the original plug? If it looks like the original plug, and you can not verify otherwise, I would suggest doing a complete tuneup before trying to troubleshoot the problem. It is always best to start with the basics. I would also recomend buying several different extensions for your ratchet wrench in order to get at the rear plugs. They are possible to replace without removing the intake plenum.

camlex · December 6, 2009

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=61311

Hope that helps.

Henri Luu · December 7, 2009

I will try to change the rear spark plugs and see what happened. It was fine until the snow happened, something must be frozen or something. I don't know, I will keep update later.

stcist2 · December 7, 2009

It could just be the traction control kicking in. does it just happen on snow covered roads??

Henri Luu · December 8, 2009

I just finish changing the spark plugs, the problem still exist to a minimal. The inside three spark plug take forever, especially the middle one. It snow here in Houston, TX for only one day. I don't think that could be the problem.

Henri Luu · December 9, 2009

Finally,

I go to the dealer today and they found out what the problem was. It was P2121- Throttle PDL- Position Sensor; it needs accelerator pedal sensor and reprogramming. Te quote for the part alone is $700, the labor might be an hour, which is about $129. I try to look online to find a cheaper part, however was not successful. Anybody know where I can find it for cheaper?

George_Jetson · December 9, 2009

Did the error code not set the check engine light? You never mentioned the light being on in your first post!

Henri Luu · December 9, 2009

Sorry for not mention it earlier. It went on and then off. Then they check it code P2121.

1990LS400 · December 9, 2009

Finally,
I go to the dealer today and they found out what the problem was. It was P2121- Throttle PDL- Position Sensor; it needs accelerator pedal sensor and reprogramming. Te quote for the part alone is $700, the labor might be an hour, which is about $129. I try to look online to find a cheaper part, however was not successful. Anybody know where I can find it for cheaper?

I found part number 78010-33010 (pedal travel sensor) on http://www.parts.com/ for $295.92 (retail $428.01) but I'm not sure that is the part you need. It would be good if you could get the part number from the dealer to be sure or to use to search for the part you really need.