I hope someone here can help with this. I have a 1999 Countour LX automatic. When I start from a stop, or very slow roll, the car hesitates and jerks terribly until it gets into gear, and then it's ok. It also happens when going up a hill. Has anyone else seen anything like this, and if so, what is the fix? PLEASE HELP!! Thanks.

it sounds like you have a linkage delay. try putting in neutral when u stop and then put it in gear when you need to go, that should get you to your dealer.

I had a very similar problem. It can be a number of things, but it my situation, one of my spark plug leads was faulty... there is a easy way to check the leads with a long screw driver.

I think you place the screw in the socket, and turn the engine over, but make sure the screw drive is near something metal, that way you can see the spark if it is firing. ...then again I could be wrong...

Check the leads before you dig really deep. Start with the cheap items.

A faulty EGR valve can create similar symptoms.

Replace the fuel filter. Check the fuel pressure...

Well....the fuel filter has never been replaced, and the car has 56k miles on it, so that may be a problem. I just replaced the spark plugs about 5k miles ago, so I doubt one of those has gone bad already. Do you think the fuel filter could be the problem?

What plugs did you use? Did you replace the wires, too?

Could be, and it may not be.... but for $10, it's an easy cheap fix attempt - and you said you haven't replaced it, so it's a good start.

One thing to keep in mind though, if it is a firing issue, where a cylinder isn't firing. This can potentially damage the CAT-Conv'....fuel from the mis-firing cylinder is ejected into the exhaust, which makes into CAT - causing it to burn there creating extreme heat in the CAT which can damage it.

So you may want to seek professional help soon.

Another test which my mechanic did with me in the car was...

He placed the car in 1st....got in moving (slow speed) and then dropped it 4th...causing a real load difference on the car and he could hear a faint "popping" noise which he said was that the car was backfiring - but thru the air intake. Which meant 2 things....a cylinder isn't firing or its' running too lean.

But the other guy asked a good question - did you replace the wires?

Yes, I did also replace the wires at that time. I used Champion spark plugs, if that makes a difference. It said they were pre-gapped, so I didn't do anything with them.

If they're not double platinum you may be experiencing premature wear. It happened to me while using splitfire plugs after about 7000 miles. I replaced them with Autolite 764PP plugs (basically the same plugs as OEM) and I haven't had any problems.

My hesitation happened at heavy load and 3000+ rpms, so I can't say for sure that yours is the same.

I am almost certain they are the Champion double platinum plugs.

Anyone else with any good ideas?

UPDATE!

I changed out the fuel filter last night, and the problem seems to have significantly lessened. I can't say it's entirely gone, but it is a LOT less noticeable than it was. I only got to drive the car for about a minute after changing it, so it may not have had enough time to totally work itself out yet.

I could still feel a slight stumble when starting from a stop, and when going up an incline, but the car didn't feel as though it was going to DIE, like it did before.

If anyone else has any more comments/ideas, they are most certainly still welcome. Thanks for all the help thus far.

Update to the update. Apparently the fuel filter didn't fix it as much as I thought. The car still exhibits the problem of stumbling, or jerking while taking off from a stop, going up hill, and as I found out last night, on the freeway at higher speeds. Anyone with any more thoughts? I am thinking fuel pump, but I REALLY hope that's not it....

Well, if its not plugs and wires, the other ignition variable is the coil pack... That would be easier to change than a fuel pump, but if it doesn't fix it you're back to square one.

Usually fuel pumps that are dying show symptoms when they really have to work a lot harder. This is most evident when the tank gets closer to empty and/or at high load. You seem to be experiencing the opposite, but then again crazier things have happened.

$ on plugs & wires. They are so sensitive in our cars. Get some Autolites or OEM Motorcraft pluds with FMS wires. Total=$70 and you'll have one less possility.

Ok, well, I'll take a look at those tomorrow morning. I just changed the plugs and wires (albeit with cheap wires and Champion plugs) toward the end of last summer, as previously mentioned. What should I look for when taking the wires off, and pulling the plugs?

If you can get a good look at them at night (while its dark) you may be able to see sparks coming thru the wires while the car is running. Once you get the wires off (shut off the car first!!), look for little white rings on the wire boots. This could be a sign of the spark coming thru and shorting on the engine block instead of lighting up the plug. Magnecore's website has a good set of pictures and a good description of this problem. Also look for corrosion on the connections. If you see any of these, the wires are bad. The plugs should be clean of oil and crust etc...

Also, check your vaccuum lines. If your car cant find gears easily and its stumbling goes away when you floor it at high rpm's this could be your problem too.

Hope this helps.

Well....took a look, and all of the spark plugs, wires, and the coil pack looks fine. I can't see any jumping sparks or anything. One thought, though, could this be a timing belt issue? The car has 56k on it, might I have to replace the belt?

DEAR GOD !!!! REPLACE THE BELT !!!!

Originally posted by Tiger561:

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DEAR GOD !!!! REPLACE THE BELT !!!!

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why does he have to replace the belt? i have 77k on mine and havent done it... do i need to?