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Robert Neitzelt Posted on Sep 15, 2013
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I have a 97 Thunderbird XL 3.8 L. Have changed wires, plugs, EGR, air filter and fuel filter. When in idle it runs fair but to do so I have to turn the screw down. As soon as I put it in gear there's no power forward or reverse. I push the gas pedal all the way to the floor and it has no acceleration. Took it out on a back road and ran it and it did pick up speed eventually but as soon as I slowed down the same issue of no power all over again plus it runs really ragged. Almost couldn't get through a Stop sign it was so bad. The car sat for 4 years without being driven so I put 3 bottles of injector cleaner and some 89 octane in the tank. I'm cautious about driving it out on the open road again for fear I may not make it back. Will the cleaner and better gas flow through enough to do any good while running at high idle? Also the Service Engine Light is on. Need some idea of where to look next as this is getting exasperating!

2 Answers

Dar

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  • Ford Master 2,007 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 15, 2013
Dar
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Joined: Feb 18, 2009
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Start by finding out what that check engine light is. Could be fuel line plugged. Timing? Tough to help without seeing or hearing it.

A

Anonymous

Two things:

You have a Check Engine Light on
MIL Lamp

You should know that you have to check for
codes & resolve all code related issues first

Second ---I would think the lack of any power at
all, is due to a worn out & blocked exhaust Converter
They last at best 14 years

Also-- change the gas filter,oxygen sensors & forget
all the genies in a bottle,they are of no use & just take
your money.

When you increase octane rating, you delay the combustion
process & that effects how the motor runs, as the PCM has
no way to know what is in the fuel tank & correct for it

Whatever screw your turning was a mistake, as those are set
at the factory & not touched,the computer controls everything

Let me know exactly what screw you turned
Hopefully not the throttle plate stop

  • Anonymous Sep 15, 2013

    Two things:

    You have a Check Engine Light on
    MIL Lamp

    You should know that you have to check for
    codes & resolve all code related issues first

    Second ---I would think the lack of any power at
    all, is due to a worn out & blocked exhaust Converter
    They last at best 14 years

    Also-- change the gas filter,oxygen sensors & forget
    all the genies in a bottle,they are of no use & just take
    your money.

    When you increase octane rating, you delay the combustion
    process & that effects how the motor runs, as the PCM has
    no way to know what is in the fuel tank & correct for it

    Whatever screw your turning was a mistake, as those are set
    at the factory & not touched,the computer controls everything

    Let me know exactly what screw you turned
    Hopefully not the throttle plate stop

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5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 18 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 20, 2008

SOURCE: hesitation, stalling like out of gas

Clogged Catalytic Converter. What happens is as you push down harder on the accelerator you force more gas into the system causing a slightly richer mixture and more exhaust flow is neccessary. The easiest way to look for a clogged cat is when it's dark out take it for a ride causing it perform it's problem look under the vehicle if the cat is literally glowing red hot you either have a clogged cat or an extremely rich fuel mixture.

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RALilja

Richard Lilja

  • 401 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 30, 2008

SOURCE: colt idle problem.

Most likely you have a bad Idle motor which is a small motor mounted on the intake manifold. If the motor can run better with your foot on the gas but dies if removed then it is probably this. This motor is controlled by the OBDII computer which gets it's control signal from the temp sensor which is located either on the radiator or engine block (which could also be bad), if the electric fan (if equipped) turns on then this is not the problem part, but the idle motor is. Another possibility is that you have some bad /cracked vacuum hoses which should be checked for first, before replacing the idle motor.

Jeremy Kastrup

  • 87 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 20, 2008

SOURCE: Engine is missing and shaking bad when idleing or driving slow

it's probably one of the coils , I'd buy one and try replacing one of the two there ! , let me know how ya make out !

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Feb 16, 2009

SOURCE: 89 s10 2.5 has fuel and fire injector has power but no pulse

injector pulse is just controlled by the ecm or computer as some would say,u said u replaced wires? did u have a fire or melt wires? ecm is known to go bad on these,had a few of these trucks back in the day.

ROBERT

  • 67 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 27, 2009

SOURCE: 1995 Chevy K1500 4.3L V6. Engine has inconsistant idle

Have you changed the fuel pump yet?I had the same exact problem.I replaced my fuel pump with an AUTOZONE PIECE OF JUNK fuel pump.That pump lasted almost 2 days.The second day i had it the truck didnt want to start but it did and it ran like ****,and when i put it in gear it ran as long as I didnt touch that gas pedal.You could go get a fuel pressure test or just replace it,your call.You might want to check your filter too but im sure its the pump.Good luck

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