'99 is jerking/surging

[andreanna]

Ok, I'm completely automotively-challenged, so bear with me. I'm hoping to maybe get an idea of what's going on with my car. First off, I think my battery is about dead cause i'm having problems with it starting first thing in the morning, so I'm going to change that. But that's not the problem. I was driving last night, then all of a sudden, when I hit about 30 mph, it started to kind of jerk. i slowed down and pulled over, tried to drive again, and it did it again, but at about 40 mph this time. Then I stopped at a light, and this time, it started to do it at about 45. Basically, each time I accelerated, it would do it at a higher rate of speed until it seemed to stop doing it altogether. It didn't do it at all on the way home.

Water in the gas tank was a suggested problem..however, my step dad added dry gas on Saturday just because of the cold (we're in Michigan), so it's probably not that. It seems like it could be many things..I'm way overdue for a tune up (106k miles)...it may be the fuel filter or the fuel pump or the mass air flow sensor according to other websites. But I was hoping someone here could give their opinion. And yes, I realize there's only so much you can suggest without seeing exactly what the car is doing and whatnot. I just appreciate any suggestions that can be given.

Thanks!

Sara

[Rare_Fate]

what type of gas you use?

[andreanna]

Originally Posted by Rare_Fate

what type of gas you use?

I use regular unleaded.

[pcv]

I'd do the regular maintanance on the vehicle. Since you are due for a tune up, I'd do one. It is quite possible the ignition system is starting to break down, and there is nothing like the cold weather to give you that clue.
Good Luck.

[andreanna]

Originally Posted by pcv

I'd do the regular maintanance on the vehicle. Since you are due for a tune up, I'd do one. It is quite possible the ignition system is starting to break down, and there is nothing like the cold weather to give you that clue.
Good Luck.

Yeah, my dad put some new spark plugs in tonight and cleaned debris off the battery. We bought a fuel filter too, but didn't get a chance to get that in. Interestingly enough, it hasn't jerked at all since the incident last night. I'm wondering if it was because of the dry gas put into my car by my step dad. He put it in when there was only a 1/4 tank of gas and it wasn't driven around (which from what I was told, it should be put in on a full tank and then driven immediately to mix it)..I'm wondering if that could have possibly done it. Either way, I'm feeling much more confident while driving around in it.

[andreanna]

Just an update for anyone who may be curious. I took it in and had it diagnosed....it's the throttle position sensor that's causing the jerking apparently. But naturally, that's not the only thing that needs replacing. My timing belt is in need of some help and the spark plug wires are arcing. Total of about 550 plus tax is the damage and 2 days with no vehicle.

Could be worse I guess. I'll just be glad when I can drive without worrying about stalling out in the middle of the road and being stranded in the middle of michigan weather.

[tgeno]

Just this week my 1998 escort (148,500 miles) started the same thing. I replaced the fuel pump and the throttle position sensor last night. This morning it happened again and I had to hitch a ride on to work. I'm now told by a friend who had the same problem it is probably one of the oxygen sensors as that was what was wrong with his. I'll replace both of them this afternoon and hope for the best. Your problem may have been solved with the throttle position sensor but it did help mine.

[tgeno]

Just this week my 1998 escort (148,500 miles) started the same thing. I replaced the fuel pump and the throttle position sensor last night. This morning it happened again and I had to hitch a ride on to work. I'm now told by a friend who had the same problem it is probably one of the oxygen sensors as that was what was wrong with his. I'll replace both of them this afternoon and hope for the best. Your problem may have been solved with the throttle position sensor but it did not help mine.

[knockout_jab]

I'm about as automotively challenged but I have done some research. My '99 ZX2 has been having the same problems. There is also a very high pitched squeal coming from the front and low. I've had a number of mechanics look at the problem and they're all stumped. Then I found someone else on another forum say that this sound could be a torque converter. Is anyone else experiencing the hesitation with the sound?

[Jet-Lee]

Maybe ya'll can tell me what kinda transmissions ya'll have. I gotta '99 Escort LX with a 5-speed. 138k miles, and runnin great. It has had NO MAINTAINENCE on anything what-so-ever, except oil changes and coolent flushes, and it runs GREAT.

[Chamiltor]

I am having a similiar issue, but it only happened to me after a mechanic replaced my engine (I thought I threw a rod, but he said all the rods were fine, but I had three holes in my block). Anyway, the used(new to me) engine I had put in had 38,000 miles on it, but it has been jerking a lot. I put in a bottle of injector cleaner, because I thought the injectors might have been a little gummed up from sitting around, but its still happening. Right after I fill 'er up it stops for a bit, but then starts doing it again. It doesnt hinder driving ability, but it is damn annoying. So it could just be the sensors eh? Maybe a lose spark plug wire? Any other input please read!

[Robnov77]

I had a problem like that. One of my vaccum lines was disconnected.

[daleb9]

It could be just the bad battery, insufficient voltage may cause the various sensors hooked to the Engine Control Computer to give invalid readings, so the ECC makes bad adjustments.