While driving vehicle all of a sudden lost acceleration power?

Tiny
JAY5RAY
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.2L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 174,000 MILES
This all started as I was driving down the highway, my vehicle all of a sudden lost acceleration power and the little wrench emblem popped up on the dash. The vehicle did not turn off, however I was not able to accelerate and the vehicle stayed in an idle state while holding 700 rpm's fairly well. I had the vehicle taken to the mechanic and he said it was the throttle body. He replaced it with a used one to test it and the vehicle had the same issue except now the vehicle would shut off after a while. He told me that it was the ECM and insisted I take the vehicle because he does not work on electrical problems. The car does not rattle, shake, or do anything abnormal except the problems stated. I have not replaced any plugs or fuses. As I was getting ready to tow the vehicle the battery was completely dead since the vehicle sat in his shop for a few week (he waited so long to tell me these problems let alone work on my car). As I jumped the car to put it in neutral, I figured to give it a shot by putting it in drive. The vehicle was drivable for about 15 minutes when it began to showcase the same problems, a complete loss of acceleration power and staying in a idle state while holding 700 rpms. When the vehicle is in park or neutral and the gas is pressed down, it will sometimes but not high, maybe around 1500 - 2500 rpm's. Are these signs of a faulty ECM? I can’t pinpoint this issue, another outside source even stated that it could be a transmission solenoid since the vehicle was able to drive for a bit and all of a sudden stopped accelerating. I was not able to receive codes from the mechanic because he stated that he had forgotten and could not get to my vehicle at that moment for another diagnostic run. I have never experienced such a terrible mechanic by being put on the back burner. I would greatly appreciate the time and knowledge about this problem and hope to take care of this myself. Thank you for your time.
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Saturday, December 7th, 2019 AT 10:34 AM

36 Replies

Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,077 POSTS
Hello, The reason the car is acting like this is because it is in Limp mode, the ECM does this to protect the catalytic converter and further engine damage. First step is to have the ECM scanned for codes, hopefully there are still some in there because when the battery goes dead it erases the memory. This can be caused by a dirty throttle biore these guides will help fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Saturday, December 7th, 2019 AT 12:51 PM
Tiny
AKMALS02
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 FORD TAURUS
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 78,000 MILES
We have gone to 3 different Ford mechanics in the last 6 months. All the time same code about fuel system. We have replaced fuel pump and module twice, processor once and the battery once. Now 4th breakdown and no one can figure out why the car loses power while driving.

It loses power and we have been lucky enough to get it to the shoulder of the road. We sit for a couple of minutes and it starts right back up and is fine for a few weeks only to have it happen again. Ford dealership says they have done what they can and since they can't get the car to duplicate the problem in there presence, we will have to wait till it finally totally breaks down and the car won't start. Then we will have to tow it to them and go from there.
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
This happens when the car goes into limp mode due to a dirty throttle bore here are two guide to help us fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEMUEL311
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 FORD TAURUS
2006 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive 112665 miles

On the way from a trip all of a sudden the car stopped pulling while accelerating. Iit will not go into any gears. It stays on but will not go ito gear. What might this be?
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Has the check engine light come on? Is the trans fluid full and clean?
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
LEMUEL311
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Check engine light did't not come on. Transmission fluid is full.
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
What I need you to do is have the trans computer scanned (TCM). It has to go to a shop for this to be done. For it to just totally stop, it sounds electrical to me. I'm hoping that there is a code stored in the TCM that will identify where the problem is.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
PATJR001
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 145,000 MILES
When driving I noticed I get loss of power what are the things that could cause this
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Check fuel pump pressure. If the check engine light is om, have the computer scannedfor reuble codes. Most part stores will dit for free.
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:43 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,544 POSTS
  • 2005 FORD TAURUS
  • 110,000 MILES
After taking off from stop the car shifts real hard around 2500 rpm. It also accelerates slow, rpms go up without accelerating, it takes to long to shift between third and fourth gear.
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
If the rpm's are going up and the vehicle isn't speeding up, it sounds like the transmission is slipping. Have you checked the basics? Is the trans fluid clean and full? Is the check engine light on?
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAS_SER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2005 FORD TAURUS
Air Conditioning problem
2005 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

car loses power when ac is on why is this
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
It is normal to feel a slight loss of power because the compressor is hard to turn when on. As a result, there is a slight power loss. However, how bad of a power loss do you have? Do you hear any noise from the compressor or belt when it is on?

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DETRA5975
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
My car stopped on the freeway today, after coasting to the shoulder, it did crank back up but won't go over 30 miles, it is jerking, and cuts off when I come to a complete stop. But it will start back up, but acts as if it wants to cut back off unless I give it gas. It has been running fine, I got a tune-up and a new battery about a month ago now, what could be the problem? Please help
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
It could be a few things. First, did the check engine light come on? Also, have you been able to check fuel pressure?

If you need directions for this, let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DETRA5975
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The check engine light is on, nd now it is saying check transmission, I took it to the shop today, I was told there is a hole in the manifold.
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,005 POSTS
Which manifold, intake or exhaust?
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DETRA5975
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
My car stopped on the freeway today, it starts back up but won't go over 30 miles, and if I stop, it is going to cut off, but starts right back up. I recentlt got the battery changed a month ago now, recently got a tune-up, alternator fine, what could be the problem?
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check fuel pump and fuel pressure
do you have check engine light on and if so need to scan for codes
I would suspect bad fuel pump (need fuel pressure check 1st )
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKEERWIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 FORD TAURUS
Having problems with my 2004 ford taurus. Car bogs down as driving about 20 miles per hour then revs up and straightens out. Changed plugs and wires and cleaned MAF sensor. What else can I do should I check catilydic converter
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2020 AT 9:45 AM (Merged)

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