2005 Taurus high speed engine hitch

[MRVEGAS711]

Wondering what this may sound like to this forum before I proceed with my next move.

My '05 Taurus started having this issue about one year ago.

On cruise control, locked in at about 74 mph, I would feel a hitch for about 1 second. It feels like running over a patch of water or black ice. Kinda like feeling a void or extremely quick loss of power. This would happen maybe once per month.

Slowly, the frequency has increased to twice per month, three times per month. etc., etc.

Today, it caught my wife's attention as it happen twice within a couple of minutes with the second one being a decent thump. I continued on to my destination 30 miles away off cruise control and with no further problems. HOWEVER, on the way home and shortly under way, it happen twice while not under cruise control. That was a first. Again, this happens 100% of the time between 70 and 75 mph. It happens now at least once per week, but not horribly often.

Here are some details... 100 K miles, Due for its first real tune-up. Lost transmission under warrentee with 35K miles on it. (replaced for free)

I worried about what it might be. I wanted to drive this as long as possible, but its in wonderful condition minus 100K miles, its very well kept. I probably could get close to 5 thousand for it now and might consider trading it in if the news is bad.

Does this sound familier to anyone. Can it be fixed or are we talking a major problem in my future.

Thanks for any help.

[shorod]

It actually sounds somewhat familiar with something I experienced on my prior 2000 Mercury Mountaineer V8. Randomly when cruising down the highway, usually with the cruise on, I would get jolt like I drove over a large pothole or someone very momentarily shut off the ignition and then turned it right back on. It got to the point where once in awhile I'd notice it driving through town. The Check Engine Light never came on so I connected my scan tool to monitor the various sensors while driving to try and catch the issue. Luckily there was a pending diagnostic code for an intermittent Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor. I tried cleaning the MAF but that had not effect. About a week later I replaced the MAF with a new one and the problem went away.

If you haven't already, you might check for pending diagnostic codes.

-Rod

[MRVEGAS711]

God, you're good!

Thats exacxtly what it feels like. Hopefully the same thing.

We'll check it out. Thanks.

[MRVEGAS711]

Its Baaack!

What I did first was get its first tune-up. That was three weeks ago and the car has been flawless till Friday.

Now, the car runs rough (not horrible, but it pops like I'm losing power for a half sec.) from 40-65 mph.

No sound attached, but I can feel the gurgling in the accelerator.

I didn't replace the MAF sensor because I was hoping the tune up would do the trick.

Does this sound like its still the problem? I can replace that easily minus the $110 bucks.

[big white bufflo]

any codes on the car i have had trouble with my 92 buick and97 f350 a little hicup at speed crank position on both those or it could be a cam sensor what is temp of motor when this happens hot cold when ever this could be a electronic glitchon of those sensors

[MRVEGAS711]

This is now happening at start up throughout.

[shorod]

Does your 2005 have spark plug wires or coil on plug (CoP)? If wires, then I'd suggest you start by checking the wires since you recently had a tune up. Maybe one of the plug wires was not properly seated, is a bit too short and popped partially off, or is rubbing against something and is now arcing.

If you have access to a scan tool and can get the fuel trim numbers, that could tell you a lot in a hurry as well.

-Rod

[MRVEGAS711]

I tried the plugs to make sure they were on tight and that did not help. Its off to the garage as it dosen't feel good. I'll let you know what happens.