? Sluggish 98 Taurus ?

I have a 98 Taurus, and something does not feel right driving it tonight. It sort of seems sluggish. When I first noticed it felt 'odd' my first reaction was I had a flat tire. I pulled over and checked the tires and they appeared ok. It seemed as though the more I accelerate, the car seems sluggish, or to have a drag to it - maybe as if it might feel if I were driving through snow or something. There seems to be a bit of vibration on the gas pedal when I accelerate. It's hard to explain. :banghead: My husband just says I'm being paranoid :screwy: , but I would l like to correct it if it's a problem that could become worse with time.

I also pulled over to an incline and put it in neutral to make sure the brakes weren't sticking, and it rolled back just fine. It does sometime sort of idle funny when I first start it, or after I have stopped and am ready to pull out. It sort of acts like it could possible stall. I'm not sure if this is related.

I've also had the parking brake light come on sometimes when I have come to a stop. After I take off again it goes off.

I don't know if this is a problem under the hood, or something with the suspension. It definitely feels like it's in the front end of the car though. Would appreciate any insight or similar experiences anyone may have. Thank you in advance!:)

Unfortunately, from the description, the issue could be one of several possible causes. There is a good chance that the funny idle and the sluggish feel are related.

You've done a nice job of describing your experiences, and you've also done some logical preliminary checks (like how you checked for brake drag) but you may want to post the engine size to get some possibly engine-specific suggestions.

The funny idle could be due to bad spark plugs, spark plug wires, dirty fuel injectors, restriction in the fuel line (starting with fuel filter), degraded oxygen sensors, etc. When is the last time the car has had a tune up? Try putting a bottle of fuel injector cleaner in the fuel tank and run it for 100 miles or so. See if that helps. If the car has not had a tune up in awhile, get that done too. Any of the above could potentially cause the sluggishness as well as the vibration.

The vibration could also be due to a worn suspension component or bad wheel bearing or inner CV joint. Have the front suspension checked for looseness. If all is tight, I'd suggest getting the engine idle fixed before exploring wheel bearings in the front or CV joints/half-shaft. Unless during the front suspension inspection a leaking CV boot is noticed.

The brake light could very well be due to low brake fluid in the master cylinder. However, don't just top off the master cylinder with fluid. If the level is low, it is low for a reason. Either the friction material of the brake pads (front and maybe also rear) or brake shoes (rear if your car has rear drum brakes) is worn or you have a leak somewhere. Check the condition of the braking system. The same light will illuminate on your dash if you have the parking brake on or the master cylinder is low on fluid.

I guess the bottom line is, if running a bottle of fuel injector cleaner doesn't clear up the problems and the car hasn't had a tune-up in quite some time, get the car a tune up. Start there. A tune up is considered preventive maintenance and if it is due, it won't be a waste of money - even if it doesn't fix the immediate concern.

-Rod

Rod,
Thanks for your insight. My husband did finally decide maybe the fuel filter & air filter could use replaced, so he will be working on that this afternoon. I will tell him to add the fuel injection cleaner as well.

The tune up and suspension inspection makes sense. I've not had one done since I've owned the car - 5 yrs now. Just got it paid off last month and would like to keep it running well, especially with the mileage - 103,000 miles! I've only had pretty minor repairs done to it - door sensors, sway bar end links, tires replaced, oil changes. I would like to take it somewhere and just get a good overall inspection, but am wary of what I could be told would possibly need done that perhaps may not need done. I notice you're from Cedar Rapids. Do you know of any reliable trustworthy mechanics in the Burlington area? I don't mind paying a fair price, just want to know I'm not being taken advantage of.

Again - thanks for your help and insight - I appreciate it!

~Nickey

Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions for shops in the Burlington area. I do pretty much all my own work, but I do have a few friends in the business in the CR area.

If you felt like a road trip, I could give you a few suggestions. :)

Good luck!

-Rod

You mightcheck and make sure your car is level and doesnt have a broken spring.

If it does it may have changed the geometry and caused part of your problem
although most people have reported that it ruins a tire.

Probably not it but worth checking.

THe other thing that comes to mind is the tranny.
Make sure the care is warm and cycle it thru the gears and put it in park on level ground
check the level and also the condition of the fluid.
It should be a red color NOT BROWN also if it is burned up it will have a nasty smell



Mike
:smokin: