When I accelerate lightly it runs rough...

[Green Machine 95]

I was driving on the highway today and everytime I would accelerate lightly the engine would run kinda choppy

When I have it on idle the needle moves up and down (only a little bit)

and sometimes when I accelerate from a stop I would hear something kick under the hood, I dont feel it, its like someone is kicking my car

any ideas on what this could be, thanks

[newscarver]

try a can or bottle of fuel injector cleaner...not a cheap one it shold cost over 10 dollars for a nasty and effetive one ,some oil change shops sell a one step fuel system treatment for a full tank of gas you should have improved results after an hour of driving...mine behaves like this often

[RobertHammen]

Besides the suggestion to run some good fuel injector cleaner (which is a good one)...

I assume you recently changed plugs and wires? If not, to check wires, with the car running and the engine cover off, use a spray mister and spray over the wires - if you get a fireworks show, it's time to replace 'em.

If you have recently changed the plugs and wires, make sure the plugs and wire boots are properly seated, and that the wires are properly routed. Also verify that there isn't a bad ground on the coil packs, which can sometimes cause this issue. If you've changed the plugs and wires (w/AC Delco only, of course), and everything's looking good, then you might have a bad coil pack...

--Robert

[Green Machine 95]

I recently just changed my plugs, I had AutoLite and switched to AC Delcos, When I first had them in it ran really good, but a few days of driving its been running a little rough, I tried fuel injector cleaner (STP brand) and that didnt work, I am going to have it checked out tomorrow, at first I thought my trans was going because it was running rough, but I always think of the worst situations...I am still hoping its something little, thanks

[RobertHammen]

Check the wires. Mine were actually arc'ing over the metal valve covers/could see the burn marks. Definitely was time to change them (76k mi/6+ years)...

[Green Machine 95]

yea my dad said I should try that at night so it would be easier to see where its arc'ing

I hope its that and not something major