Vehicle hesitation and inconsistent throttle response

Tiny
ED MANNING
  • MEMBER
  • 2020 FORD ESCAPE
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 533 MILES
Vehicle listed above is the Titanium model.

I've had this a few weeks and have taken it to a dealer but they were unable to recreate my issue. I took the shop manager for a drive and again, it really wasn't doing it that day.

From a complete stop, I sometimes get a bit of hesitation from my vehicle when applying light to medium throttle. It's different than turbo lag for sure.

It shows itself more so at lows speeds such as 10-30 mph. Let's say that I'm travelling at a steady 25 mph and am applying low throttle to maintain that speed. The car will sometimes hesitate and jerk just enough to be annoying. Passengers say they feel it.

At higher speeds 35+ and on the freeway, I don't see these issues occurring and the car rides just fine. I also am getting a bit less mpg around 21-24 mpg with 70%+ of my driving being highway.

I used the initial tank of gas to rule out condensation or water (the car sat on the lot for about 8 months). I just filled up with 93 Octane and have about a half tank left.

Any ideas that I can use to get Ford to properly diagnose this issue? Very frustrating.
Sunday, July 19th, 2020 AT 9:52 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,269 POSTS
Hi,

That is a tough one simply because there are no diagnostic codes. In this case, I would do two things. First, I would check the long term fuel trims with a live data scanner to see if they are high or low. Based on your mileage, I have a feeling they may be high and yes, that can cause a bucking at times.

Next, the CAN bus system should be scanned to see if there is anything saved or identified. CAN stands for computer area network. Because of the number of modules/computers in newer vehicles, wiring needs to be reduced, so they are tied together as a network.

Here is a video that shows how that is done:

https://youtu.be/InIlnsjOVFA

Let me know if that helps.

Joe
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Sunday, July 19th, 2020 AT 4:39 PM
Tiny
ED MANNING
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Can the short and long-term fuel trim provide info that could be helpful despite the fact that my RPM's do not seem to be affected at all by this problem? Should my RPM's reflect an issue when hesitation occurs? I'm trying to rule out possible transmission issues but I don't know if that's even feasible.
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020 AT 3:53 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

The fuel trims can tell me if the engine's fuel mixture is correct. Let me know what they are.

Joe
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020 AT 5:00 PM
Tiny
ED MANNING
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  • 5 POSTS
I'm taking this to the dealer in the morning and was trying to go there with better knowledge. That's why I asked if the RPM's can be a sign of fuel trim issues. I didn't know if transmission can also be a possible issue. I will tell them my RPM's are fine and I'll mention fuel trim.
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020 AT 5:18 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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I understand. The fuel trims are indicators of how the power-train control module is adjusting the amount of fuel being injected into the engine. Information from the oxygen sensors is used to determine exhaust measurements. Based on that, the computer determines if less or more fuel needs added to keep the vehicle running at the best point possible.

If you look at fuel trims when the issues occur, it could indicate an issue. If you have the fuel trims, let me know what they are, both short term and long term.

If you have a chance, let me know what is found. I'm interesting in knowing.

Take care,
Joe
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2020 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
ED MANNING
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I'm taking the SUV into the dealer soon this morning.

I just ran an errand and installed an obd2 adapter, hooking it to my phone via Bluetooth, and logging using the Android Torque app.

It seems my long term fuel trim likes to sit around a -4. When traveling at speeds 1-30 where I see some hesitation occasionally, it sometimes dips to -10. I've seen short term goo as low as-15.

I did screen recording of my phone for this 15 minute trip. It's a 337mb file and also shows o2 sensor data, fuel pressure, and my mph.

I'll let you know what the dealer says.

What's your take on the fuel trim?
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Thursday, July 23rd, 2020 AT 3:51 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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The trims indicate the computer is reducing the amount of fuel going to the engine. Honestly, they aren't to a point of concern. In a perfect world, you would want them at 0, but when driving, the computer is always adjusting to try to maintain it. That's why you are seeing the variations.

Let me know what they tell you.

Joe
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Thursday, July 23rd, 2020 AT 5:52 AM
Tiny
ED MANNING
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Sorry for the late response. So this different dealership told me that my issues is the characteristic of my particular electronic throttle body and that there was nothing that they could really do. The service rep said he could change a lot of things and it may not fix the issue. I don't understand how actually changing the throttle body wouldn't fix the issue?

Anyway, I contacted Ford and I have a Regional rep on the case but I have a feeling that my rough ride wont warrant them to fix anything. Pretty frustrated with the whole ordeal.
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2020 AT 5:37 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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I can't believe the service rep said that to you. If it can't be fixed, why are they making it? You didn't purchase a new vehicle to have a throttle issue. Tell them that option wasn't on the window sticker.

Ugh! That upsets me. Hang in there. Be kind but firm. They need to resolve the problem. Otherwise, they need to return your money. Hopefully, the Zone Rep will help.

Keep in touch.

Joe
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2020 AT 10:37 PM
Tiny
BMDOUBLE
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The tip-in hesitation sounds exactly like an intermittent coil failure, a mode 6 test will show any history of misfire events. I deal with these at my dealership so I have tons of experience (unfortunately) with these concerns. Let us know what happens.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 1:02 PM

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