Car Hiccups/jerking? Urgent Problem to me!, :(( Hope it doesnt die at work!! Options

[cHinaman727]

Situation: I was doing a 15 mile delivery today, and after driving for about 10, my car started hiccuping. I was in 5th gear at the time and was doing about 3500 rpms. After that started, it happened when I was as low as first or second and accelerating from a stop. When that happened, it was more of a jerk than a hiccup. This feeling can be reproduced by quickly tapping the breaks while cruising, or quickly tapping and releasing the gas. I don't know what this is, but it has been doing this for the last two tanks of gas, and just as I was almost done, my check engine light blinked on for maybe two-five seconds.

Problem: I need to get this resolved if this is something very bad! I don't have another car to do my deliveries so I need to know ASAP if I should still be driving it or not.

I looked up "car hiccups" and found that some people have these too and call them "fuel cut", but this might only be on turbos and i only have a 5sfe.

Help PLEASE! I have to leave in an hour for work again!

edit:

What I have done recently: I changed the top radiator hose for my car after it broke and refilled the coolant. I did not empty and fill, simply replaced the lost coolant. I also reinflated my tires. And that is all!

This post has been edited by cHinaman727: Nov 4, 2007 - 10:50 AM

[netrata]

About the CEL light, you have a OBD1 diagnostic system on your car so you are fortunate that you don't need the reader. So just do what tonytunino suggested for you to do to get the codes. And like 95CelicaST said, just change it yourself. In fact, do a whole basic tune-up for you celica. Replace the Spark plugs with Iridium or Platinum plugs, preferrably NGK or Denso plugs, they'll have a longer changing interval then your normal resistor-type plugs. Replace you distributer cap, rotor, and maybe your spark plug wires if they looked worn or frayed. Then recheck the timing with a timing light.