Runs rough, will not go past 4,000 RPMs?

MOTZAMAN

MEMBER
1996 MERCURY MYSTIQUE
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

Car starts and runs but has no power sounds rough and engine won't go over 4k RPMs. The only warning, I had that something was wrong was for about a week the car was idling a little rougher than normal and sometimes wasn't consistent. I've ordered an obd2 scanner that'll arrive tomorrow. I tried every method to manually get the fault codes, and none worked. Did the ignition/key method anywhere from 1 turns to 12 ending in the on position didn't work. Tried odometer method and nothing. So, I guess I have 2 questions here; how to get fault codes without scanner and does anyone have any ideas on what might be wrong with the car?

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
43,055 POSTS

You could have a simple cylinder misfire, but you must get a scanner to run the codes.

This guide will show you how once you get the scanner:

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

Please go over this guide as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

Please go over these guides and report back.

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Saturday, January 7th, 2023 AT 6:39 PM

MOTZAMAN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

First effort at using obd2 reader was a bust. I bought a 2000 Taurus to get me back and forth to work $400.00 didn't come with a battery so took the battery from the Mystique found out that when you remove the battery all the fault codes reset including the stored ones. Tried to get it running but it was a very cold day and with its current problem it wasn't having it. Used the scanner on the Taurus it says air injectors are moving too much air. Car runs fine so in my completely amateur and nonprofessional opinion am going to ignore it.

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Sunday, January 8th, 2023 AT 7:07 PM

KEN L