My car won't go over 40-50 mph when it raining.

[rnsmelody]

So its ben raining pretty bad up here lately. I live like 10 min away from work.. but it took me about 40 min to get home.. something is wrong with my car... i wonder if anyone has this problem..

So im on the freeway going about 40 since it was pouring pretty hard, cant see & road was flooded with about 2 inches of water..after awhile.. im trying to go over 40 but the car just keeps stuttering even if i wait for a few seconds and then gas it.. it wont go past 40 at all. i just make that noise. like it wants to go, but it cant . so i pulled over at a gas station. I checked the air filter.. it wasnt wet., but just a lil bit damp.
because someone told me that it could have been that, water has got into the intake., but its all stock.. this only happens during the rainy season for me (when its pouring).

i was wondering it anyone ever had this problem.. and what to do?

[Mandarinsolara]

dang man. we can only guess with that info.
and my guesses are : check fuel purity, injectors, ecu malfunction(unheard of).
what sounds does it make?

[Mole]

I think water got in the intake.

[rnsmelody]

I think water got in the intake.

could be.. but the car was running for like 5 min and then it happened.. it only happens when im on the freeway.. in pouring rain.

[Nutty101]

I think water got in the intake.

could be.. but the car was running for like 5 min and then it happened.. it only happens when im on the freeway.. in pouring rain.

Is it almost like a vibration from the motor and somewhat sounding of a miss? Mine does that but has little effect on speed. I think mine has more to do with tract control though.

[Midias]

Make sure your wires are in good shape and not missfireing due to moisture I have heard of it happning on many other cars

[Bigdawg103]

Ok, I've been having the same problem for awhile and I keep mentioning it to Toyota. They managed to recreate the problem when I brought my 2002 Solara in on a rainy day. The car vibrates pretty violently and when i give the car gas it doesn't go anywhere. They told me the Catalytic Converter gets very hot and when it rains the cold rain causes it to cool down too fast and the exhaust may not be exiting the car properly.
In addition to this, many of us have been complaining about a "rotten egg" smell when we punch the gas or pass someone on the expressway. Well it turns out that Toyota has redesigned the Catalytic Converter for the 2002 Solara which is under warranty for up to 80,000 miles. I have my dealer installing this newly designed Converter as soon as it arrives at the shop. I hope this new part will alleviate the both the problems. But they assure me it will alleviate the rotten egg smell. The only reason they are replacing it is because I complained about the rotten egg smell in my car which my dates seem to think I'm passing gas.....not cool!!!
good luck with your repair fellas

[Bigdawg103]

It's done, I've had my Catalytic Converter replaced by Toyota because the old unit produced a rotten egg smell. Everyone with a 2002 who has that problem should mention it to Toyota and get your ride repaired for free. It was a $1400.00 estimate that was under WARRANTY! I love it. As for the rain and the hesitation I haven't noticed anything to note but I will keep my ears open and report of the new converter eliminated that problem as well.
Good luck

[Akfahad]

yeah, i got a '99 and i get that rotten egg smell too, but it's not as bad since i put in my supercharger. anybody hear anything about those high flow cats?

[rnsmelody]

bump cause i am having the same problem again.. no one can figure out what is wrong with my car in the rain..
also this thread points out the problem too..

http://solaraguy.org/viewtopic.php?t=7659&highlight=

any mystery solvers here?

[DatSRBoi]

bump cause i am having the same problem again.. no one can figure out what is wrong with my car in the rain..
also this thread points out the problem too..

http://solaraguy.org/viewtopic.php?t=7659&highlight=

any mystery solvers here?

Could be your MAF sensor is getting old and any little restriction causes it to think its choking. choking cars dont go pass 35 mph or so. That or clean your throttle body valve because its covering the sensetive sensors.

[dude]

do you have traction control? when this occurs does it go away during the drive or does it have to sit overnight to go away. if it has to sit before operating properly, it would seem to have something to do with cooling or drying. if it only happens in wet, and your engine hasnt blown, it is unlikely water has gotten inside the combustion chamber. water could be getting the maf sensor wet or it getting old as stated above. it may also be wires or plugs letting moisture cause a short ,also stated prior. have you replaced these items? if close to maintenence sched, change anyways to elimate variables. my 04 bridgestones hydroplane like a mofo in v. heavy rain and during accel not much happens. i have no trac control, and dont remember if there is any noise as i am making sure the front end does not go off the road! but after, like a 100ft front end off to one side slide, it usually finds traction and hooks up.