Sluggish drive off on initial start up.

[Travelbuddy]

Our 2000 registered 1.3 cvt auto Yaris with 21k on the clock has started to pose a dangerous problem. On start up, even if you leave it in park and rev the engine, once you engage drive and depress the accelerator the car virtually creeps forward. It then rectifies itself and you are accelerating and on your way. But a few minutes later on reaching a busy junction the problem returns putting us in jeopardy. Once this part of the journey is completed the problem disappears until the car is left standing and has cooled down. 

Any feedback as to what could be causing this would be really appreciated.

[Stevie J]

The mk1 Yaris (1999 - 2005) did not have CVT transmission, it was a bog standard 4 speed automatic transmission. CVT automatic was not offered until the Mk3 came out after 2011.  The Mk2 (2006 - 2011)  used a semi automatic that was very unreliable, and this was dropped when the mk3 came out.

One of the first things to check would be the level of the automatic transmission fluid, which should have its own dipstick, usually sticking out of the transmission housing, separate from the engine oil dipstick. Most automatics require the fluid to be tested with the engine running and the transmission warm, and in "N", where the level should be between the min and max marks. Its not s good idea to read the automatic transmission fluid level with the engine off, as it could give a false reading. Many problems with automatics can be resolved simply by making sure the transmission has clean fluid at the correct level, and the fluid should be changed at regular service intervals, much like the engine oil would be, but many owners never bother to change the transmission fluid, allowing it to get dirty and burnt.

If the level is OK, than check the engine management light is not on, as if it is, then it could indicate a problem with the engine somewhere, causing the intermittent lack of power, even something like a dirty MAF sensor could cause lumpy idle and poor acceleration.

if the level of the fluid is correct and its clean and smells OK, and there is no enigine management light on on the dashboard, then the problem may be with the torque converter or the transmission itself, in which case, it would be a case of taking the car to a transmission specialist, for a transmission check and repair, although, on a 2000 car, this would probably be so expensive it would not be worth it.

If the transmission fluid is very low, then there could be a leak on the transmission somewhere - I'm not sure if the 1.3 Yaris Auto uses a transmission oil cooler, but if it does, this could be leaking, or its associated hoses and connectors may be leaking.

[Catlover]

Assuming your info is correct, Stevie J, that was a very informative post.  If I was the original poster I would be checking when the transmission was last serviced and fluid changed first. Seen so many posts where an oil change solved so many problems..

[FROSTYBALLS]

On the first generation Yaris, a Freetronic transmission was available, which like the later Multi Mode Transmission, was a manual gearbox with automated clutch.