Accelerating from a stop.

[brianhalv]

Anytime I accelerate from a complete stop, my car holds back/stutters/jerks until I get to about 10 mph. My initial thought was transmision, but I took my mechanic for a brief ride and he said he doesn't think it is the tranny. I noticed that it sometimes doesn't do it when I give it more gas than I need to. Anybody have any ideas?

[JoshDank]

I would check fuel and ignition. Do the simple/cheap stuff first. Change your fuel filter, spark plugs, check (or replace) plug wires, and coil.

How does it idle? A vacuum leak can make the car do weird things also. You can spray carb cleaner on the vacuum lines. If your idle raises, you've found a leak.

[mechtech]

Tuning or engine problem.
Our cars need all the vacuum lines and intake connections to be perfect. STrt with the PCV system.
Clean your throttle body bore and plate with a rag and solvent.
CLean your MAF with spray MAF cleaner [take it out first - real easy].
How is the ignition? Get new Motorcraft spark plugs if in doubt, and a set of premium wires with them. Shop around and you'll get a fair price [NOT Ford].

[mechtech]

One more thing...
Any engine codes? A trouble light on the dash?

[brianhalv]

No engine or problem lights have came on since I've had it. I'm VERY un-mechanical so I don't know how to do any of the things you guys have said. Is the stuff so far easy enough to ask a buddy to help with (ie. would it take long/a lot of work)?

Should I take it to the shop and tell them to do all of the things you guys have said?

[mechtech]

Vacuum lines are rubber, and it's a visual common sense thing to trace each one and replace it with new hose from the auto parts store.
The PCV elbow at the valve is a common problem.

[brianhalv]

Everything checked out fine. I took it to the shop and the scanner said that there was a problem with 1st gear. hm....

[ZX2Fast]

May be a bad solenoid. Some of them are easy enough to reach that you can replace them yourself in the driveway with nothing more then a good floor jack, a block of wood, and a set of metric sockets.

[brianhalv]

Another problem that I have is when it shifts from 2nd to 3rd gear(? about 30 mph) my rpms jump from 2,800 to about 3,500 for a split second. That may be normal, but I wouldn't think so.