My Ford Taurus hesitates ******) when I accelerate then drives fine whats wrong

AMPFORD

MEMBER
1992 FORD TAURUS
125,550 MILES

When I accelerate it makes my car***** for a second then drives normal at the same time it****** the lights dim and go back on bright this just started yesturday. This happens most of the time when I have to stop then press on the gas. But it seems to stop after the car warms up. Im thinking the alternator but want to be sure b4 I spend money I dont have to try and fix the problem want answers from the pros.

9 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

No to the alt. The lights will dim if the engine RPM's drop low due to the hesitation. If the check engine light has come on, have the computer scanned to identify trouble codes. Most parts stores will do it for free. Next, if there is no light, check for vacuum leaks on and around the engine. Finally, there are many things that can cause this type of problem. Without a check engine light, it becomes a guessing game. A vacuum leak is a common cause. Other than that, it could be a sensor, fuel pressure issue, dirty injectors.

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Sunday, November 13th, 2011 AT 5:44 PM

AMPFORD

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5 POSTS

Ok the light is not on and how would I know if its a vacuum leak I dont know where thats located im not a car expert and if I took it in would any problem be expensive cause I dont have money to waste im on a tight budget as it is

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Sunday, November 13th, 2011 AT 5:59 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

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108,192 POSTS

If you go to our homepage under the DIY section, there are directions to help with vacuum leaks. As far as cost, that is hard to say not knowing what the problem is at this point. Check for vacuum leaks. It isn't hard to do.

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Sunday, November 13th, 2011 AT 6:04 PM

AMPFORD

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5 POSTS

Ok thanks one more thing I live in north dakota where our temps get really cold well I didnt let my car warm up can that cause it to act the way it does cause its warmer out and I went for a drive around the block and it didnt mess up just when its really cold so can not letting it warm up cause this cause it was 20 degrees when this happend both times

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Sunday, November 13th, 2011 AT 7:27 PM

RASMATAZ

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75,992 POSTS

Do you warm the car up before you take off- atleast till it comes up to operating temperature?

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Sunday, November 13th, 2011 AT 8:05 PM

AMPFORD

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Sunday, November 13th, 2011 AT 8:06 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Joe-you take this you started it. This? Is not gonna cut it-You need to do better than that if you want us to help

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Sunday, November 13th, 2011 AT 8:13 PM

AMPFORD

MEMBER
5 POSTS

No before I did but these last 2 times I didnt and this was the reaction that happend but its warmer outside now and I let it warmed up and took it around the block and it was fine our temps at night are 20 degrees and in the morning and are only getting get lower when it snows so not letting it warm up to normal temp can cause it this to hesitate?

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Sunday, November 13th, 2011 AT 8:23 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,192 POSTS

A cold engine can hesitate. However, there are temp sensors that should tell the computer to change the air/fuel ratio to adapt. It could be a sensor (which should set a check engine light). However, the most common cause is a vacuum leak. Once the engine is off idle, a vacuum leak isn't as noticeable.

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Sunday, November 13th, 2011 AT 8:38 PM