Q & A #30 With The Auto Specialist
Q & A #30 With The Auto Specialist
Welcome back to the Auto Specialist. In the last installment, we helped a reader named Nick understand why his engine light kept coming on during a road trip (it wasn’t due to overheating). We also helped Frank figure out why the treads on his tires were wearing down so quickly. We’re going to switch gears this time and help Janice with her Frontier which hesitates when she accelerates. We’ll also take a look at a cruise control problem that a reader named Bernard is experiencing.
If you’re reading this column for the first time, let me encourage you to spend a few minutes going through the archives. We’ve put together a great library of answers to readers’ questions about their cars, and the various components and systems that fail. Let’s jump in and help Janice.
Question: I bought a 2003 Nissan Frontier last year with the mileage at 82,655. It started having problems about three weeks ago whenever I’d hit the gas pedal, especially when accelerating to get on the freeway. Whenever I press the pedal down, the truck feels like it’s waiting for gas to reach the engine. It hesitates (I’m not sure how else to describe it) before it finally starts accelerating. At first, it only happened at higher speeds. Now, it happens all the time.
I took the truck to my dealer last week and they put in new spark plugs, a fuel filter, and a replacement distributor cap (I think). But, it’s still hesitating. What would you suggest I do?
Answer: Thank you for writing in, Janice. In my experience, given that we’re eliminating the parts your dealer replaced, I’ve seen oxygen sensors cause the problem you’ve described. Since you didn’t mention it, I’ll assume the auto technicians at your dealer didn’t put a new one in. That’s where I’d start. If that doesn’t help, make sure the fuel injectors are clear. Then, have the techs check for codes from the computer.
Question: Really like the column. I have a 2000 Lincoln Continental with a bit over 102,500 on the odometer. My wife and I use the car a lot when we drive to see our kids. It’s a long stretch, so we put the cruise control on. It usually works fine, but lately I’ve noticed the speed goes up and down from what I set it at. It’s frustrating because I don’t like to speed, even on the highways. But, I’ll look down and notice I’m 7 or 8 miles per hour above or below 65. I know it’s not a big deal, but I’d really like to fix the problem. Any idea what’s causing the change in speed?
Answer: Thanks for your question, Bernard. I would have a mechanic pop the hood and check the speed sensor (it’s by the transmission). In my experience, it’s not worth trying to fix the sensor if it’s failing. Instead, have a replacement put in. I’ll bet that will fix the problem for you.
That’s it for this segment. Thanks again to both Janice and Bernard. If you’re having problems with your vehicle and are willing to let me share those problems with other readers, let me know your vehicle’s make, model, and mileage. We’ll have another installment of the Auto Specialist ready next time with a new group of car problems to solve. Until then, drive safely.
