94 Has hard time accelerating when cold

[Greenhornet94]

Hi, I have a 94 Taurus. It has a rebuilt trans (done in Feb '10) and a replaced engine.

Recently, I've been having problems accelerating when it's cold. I have to either let it sit for a while and run or drive it around really slow in order for it to kick into second gear. I can't go over 15mph without it struggling to shift. After it warms up, though, it goes fine! I was told it could be my trans needing to be adjusted, the air-intake hose, or gas filter. Any clues as to what it might be? It also shudders and loses acceleration when I'm driving around 35-45MPH when I take my foot off the gas. So far, no one at a shop has really been able to tell me what the deal is. Just curious if anyone has had this problem. Thanks!!

[shorod]

Happy Thanksgiving, and welcome to the forum!

For starters, have you checked the condition and level of the transmission fluid on the dipstick?

It also sounds like your Taurus may have a vacuum leak that is causing a lack of power, primarily on a cold engine. Has your check engine light ever come on while driving? Since your '94 should be the OBD-I system you can check for current diagnostic codes using a jumper wire.

The stumbling at higher speeds could easily be a misfire due to worn spark plugs, wires, and a cap or rotor (if your '94 has a cap and rotor - which engine does your Taurus have - 12V or 24V DOHC?). When was the last time a tune up was performed? I suppose if your distributor cap were cracked and there's moisture inside, that moisture could be causing the cold start issues as well.

-Rod