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Hesitation from idle when cold (already searched)

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GT_Rich

New CEG'er
Joined
Sep 16, 2007
Messages
5
95 Contour, 4 cyl, 5-speed.

Before I go replacing every sensor imaginable I'd like some input from you guys on this one. Before the car is up to operating temperature, I have a hesitation/miss right off of idle. It does it in neutral and in gear. If I stab the gas while in neutral, the engine bogs really bad (but doesn't ever stall) and then the rpm's jump. When going into first gear, I have to slip the clutch more than I should. Once it's warmed up, the problem goes away. It also feels down on power between 2k and 3k rpms, and that is regardless of it being warmed up or not.

New items so far are: plugs, wires, TPS, fuel filter. I've pulled codes and get none.

Thanks in advance,
Rich
 
This sounds EXACTLY like what I'm dealing with right now. I currently have a thread open on it.

I've replaced a ton of things trying to address this, as well as done a FULL UIM/LIM cleaning...and have even replaced hoses/sensors not mentioned.

I've kept suspecting the MAF...but this was supposedly replaced by the dealer not long ago during one of their repairs to a screw up they did during the wire harness replacement.

As a test yesterday (recommended by Ray), I pulled off the MAF sensor connector (before starting the engine). The engine was not stone cold yet though. But, I did seem to notice a marked improvement!

But, I won't really know for sure if this is actually helping until the temps around here really drop. Last winter, any time the temp was 50F or below, I literally had to wait 5-10min. while the engine idled before I could even attempt to pull out onto a street with cars, w/o causing an accident. It just bogged like crazy unless a seriously slipped the clutch.
Once warmed up though, it ran like a champ.

So, my recommendation to you, if it's happening that bad to you right now, try pulling the MAF connector off and then run it when cold. If it's better, then you've got a MAF problem.

NOTE: when I did this, I noticed a smell which seemed to indicate that it was running excessively rich. I only drove it like this about 3mi. and then pulled over and reconnected it.

Chris
 
Even though it's a different engine, the concept should be the though, should it not?
 
GT_Rich said:
95 Contour, 4 cyl, 5-speed.

..... Before the car is up to operating temperature, I have a hesitation/miss right off of idle. It does it in neutral and in gear. If I stab the gas while in neutral, the engine bogs really bad (but doesn't ever stall) and then the rpm's jump. When going into first gear, I have to slip the clutch more than I should. Once it's warmed up, the problem goes away. It also feels down on power between 2k and 3k rpms, and that is regardless of it being warmed up or not.

New items so far are: plugs, wires, TPS, fuel filter. I've pulled codes and get none.

Thanks in advance,
Rich
Click to expand...
Test the IATsensor and clean the MAFsensor.
http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/1b/ca/f8/0900823d801bcaf8/repairInfoPages.htm
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies. I will check both IAT and MAF according to the instructions posted. One question though: For the IAT, what is the acceptable resistance range for temps around 70F? The autozone instructions say to refer to the accompanying chart, but I can't find the chart.

Thanks,
Rich
 
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