tempo with a problem

[blindivad]

I am looking to try and figure why this 94 tempo (auto,4cyl) has this acceleration problem. the problem is that it does not want to accelarate normally. to get up to speed you must very slowly and gradually push the pedal other wise it only wants to go like 5 to 15 miles a hour.

[hoosier1]

Originally Posted by blindivad

I am looking to try and figure why this 94 tempo (auto,4cyl) has this acceleration problem. the problem is that it does not want to accelarate normally. to get up to speed you must very slowly and gradually push the pedal other wise it only wants to go like 5 to 15 miles a hour.

The most probable cause is a vacuum leak . Look for cracked rubber hoses between the engine and firewall. If the desired speed is eventually reached, this indicates the fuel delivery and ignition is OK.
Another possible problem is the Catalytic Convereter is defective.
There is a procedure to test it using a simple vacuum gauge.
Get a diagnostic reading from Autozone to see if a code has been set and go from there.
The 1994 is still the OBD1 system and can be checked using an ohmmeter.

[UnexplodedCow]

Check for plugged exhaust. I had a car that did that. It had no power, unless the pedal was gradually put down....still had no power, though.