It hesitates when I step on the gas..

[Ru4wheel?]

I have a 96' with 188K on it. Overall it runs well but when its warmed up, and I'm stopped at a light, the car doesn't want to go when the light turns green. I twitch the gas pedal and after a couple seconds it comes back to life. Do you think its the timing? Something else? Thanks.

[noahthefrog]

If it was a timing issue, you'd probably have other problems too. Spark plugs and wires would be the first thing to check. Does it stutter like it's trying to go? A friend's 95 tercel was doing that and it turned out there was an inch of oil in one of the spark plug recesses, soaking the plug top and wire connection. Could also be clogged fuel injectors, poor quality gas or a clogged fuel filter. A fresh tank of gas with some injector cleaner is worth trying.

[Ru4wheel?]

Yes it stutters like it's trying to go. I haven't changed the fuel filter. Where abouts is that located? That sounds like an easy fix!

[96paseo]

The fuel filter is located on the firewall next to your master cylinder reservoir. Pretty easy to replace. Just make sure to use line wrenches and crack the lines loose before you remove it from the bracket. Put some rags underneath to catch the gas.

[Ru4wheel?]

I opened the hood and there it was! That's way better than under the car. Hey those things are expensive. This car was REALLY running bad until I changed the upstream O2 sensor. Should I also change the 2nd O2, or should I test it first somehow? These things make the fuel filter look cheap. Thanks.

[Ru4wheel?]

I checked the timing. It's at 8 or 9 degrees. I don't see a distributor, so I guess it's not adjustable. I also found a loose wire linkage that runs from the intake (where the linkage for the gas pedal is) and goes down to the transmission. I tightened the two opposing nuts that lock it in place. What does this do, I don't know. I the meantime, I've got a fuel filter on order.

[96paseo]

Originally Posted by Ru4wheel?

I checked the timing. It's at 8 or 9 degrees. I don't see a distributor, so I guess it's not adjustable. I also found a loose wire linkage that runs from the intake (where the linkage for the gas pedal is) and goes down to the transmission. I tightened the two opposing nuts that lock it in place. What does this do, I don't know. I the meantime, I've got a fuel filter on order.

That is the kickdown cable for your trans. Your trans will have a harder time upshifting if that cable gets disconnected. Ignition timing on the DIS 5E is not adjustable so don't worry about it.

[noahthefrog]

O2 sensor problems could confuse the computer into messing up your fuel/air mix. If one died, I'd test the other and replace if necessary.

Have your replaced your spark plugs and wires anytime recently? They start to take more power from the coil as they age and can cause acceleration problems. If the problem gets worse when it rains, your wires are probably damaged and letting water get in and interfere with the flow of electricity, which will also cause stuttering. Wires and plugs are not very expensive, though do get the good Bosch or NGK wires and NGK plugs instead of the auto-zone/advanced-auto branded ones or you'll be replacing them again before you know it.

[Ru4wheel?]

I've since replaced the fuel filter. No change. Still sputters (not all the time) at a traffic light. Next I replaced the down stream O2 sensor, just last night. On the way to work this morning.....still sputtered when the light turned green and I stepped on the gas. I'll try new wires next........I guess.

[Macword]

My '95 is doing something very similar...I've changed out fuel filter, plugs, and wires. Still no improvement.

I took it to a mechanic last week and he couldn't find anything wrong. It was throwing an EGR code, but the CEL wasn't coming on. Code cleared.

My problem is intermittent...

[Ru4wheel?]

A very wise man told me to look for a tear in the air induction tube going from the air flow to throttle body. If the mounts allow the engine to tilt, and there is a crack in the air induction tube, it will suck in unregulated air into the throttle body causing a loss of injector pulse causing a bog until the engine settles back down and the crack in the tube seals back together.
I'll check mine after dinner.

[Macword]

Thanks...I'll try that too. It can get expensive replacing all the little parts that could be potential culprits.

[96paseo]

Originally Posted by Ru4wheel?

A very wise man told me to look for a tear in the air induction tube going from the air flow to throttle body. If the mounts allow the engine to tilt, and there is a crack in the air induction tube, it will suck in unregulated air into the throttle body causing a loss of injector pulse causing a bog until the engine settles back down and the crack in the tube seals back together.
I'll check mine after dinner.

Originally Posted by Macword

Thanks...I'll try that too. It can get expensive replacing all the little parts that could be potential culprits.

If your EGR hasn't been cleaned, now is a good time. You'd be suprised how clogged it can be and not throw a code. www.tercelonline.com has an excellent tutorial for troubleshooting the EGR. No pics, just follow the steps. And just to add, these cars do not have MAF sensors. Air/fuel metering is controlled by the MAP, ECT and AIT sensor along with the oxygen sensors. A tear in the intake hose will affect the amount of vacuum the MAP sees, thus affecting your injector duty cycle. If you want to test this, try unhooking one of the hoses to the MAP with the engine running. The amount of vacuum the MAP sees is crucial to how well the engine will run.

[Macword]

Just found a P0170 code. No CEL.

[96paseo]

Originally Posted by Macword

Just found a P0170 code. No CEL.

Does your CEL light up when you turn the key to "ON", then go out when you start it? If it doesn't, you've got a bad bulb.