Car is sputtering while in drive or reverse
I have a 1998 Honda Accord. I was driving and I felt a big jerk and it started sputtering and missing. I changed the spark plugs and wires, distributor, distributor rotor, and alternator. It idles fine but when I put it in reverse or drive, it shakes and won't go. Can you tell me what's wrong with it?
My car has 180000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
This can be caused by a variety of reasons however a common reason for many engines to struggle may be a faulty throttle position sensor or mass air flow sensor. The throttle position sensor is a sensor that monitors the position of your foot on the gas pedal which then relays this information to the computer which then directs the fuel injection system to supply more or less fuel to the motor depending on the position of your foot on the pedal. When this sensor is not working properly, this will cause the hesitation and shaking you describe. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your home to diagnose these issues and make necessary repairs.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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The type of symptoms you are describing (with the reverse problems) are typically caused by obstruction of debris in the hydraulic lines of the transmission – so a flush and filter change is likely going to clear up your issue.
Fuel injector nozzles can become clogged over time, which can lead to a sputtering engine, slow acceleration and the car not having enough power. Fuel injectors can be cleaned if the problem is caught early, but as the conditions worsens, the injectors may have to be replaced.
A clogged fuel or air filter can make your engine sputter and your acceleration lag because the engine is not getting enough fuel or air, respectively. The combustion chamber needs the correct amount of air and fuel in order to generate combustion efficiently.
If your car hesitates or sputters at a low RPM, you could be dealing with an issue with your engine`s air filter or there could be an issue with your fuel filter, injector, or pump. The best thing you can do is take your car to a mechanic so they can properly diagnose the issue and repair it.
A sputtering engine may just mean you need to have your fuel filter replaced. All vehicles have a series of vacuum hoses that create the fuel pressure. If one of them leaks or is damaged in any way, you will lose significant fuel pressure.
Worn-out Spark plugs
Getting a qualified mechanic to diagnose, clean or replace your spark plugs will help stop sputtering.
One of the most common causes of jerky acceleration is a dirty fuel injector. Your fuel injectors are responsible for pushing fuel into your engine`s cylinders. This means they control the timing and amount of fuel used to keep your engine running.
An engine that is hesitating to accelerate is most likely dealing with a fuel/air mixture that is too lean. Engine`s that are running inefficiently will begin to show signs like hesitation which will only become worse over time.
Finally, as mentioned above, if your oxygen sensor is going out you may experience engine performance problems such as sputtering and surging. The sputtering is caused when the engine control unit puts too much air in the combustion chamber.
Trouble accelerating can come from a few different engine issues. These include, but are not limited to, dirty fuel injectors, low fuel pressure, and restricted airflow. A problem with the mass airflow sensor, throttle position sensor, or engine speed sensor can also cause a car to have difficulty picking up speed.
One of the main causes of poor acceleration in a Honda Accord is dirty transmission fluid. If the fluid is old and hasn`t been changed in a while, it can cause all sorts of problems with the car`s ability to shift gears properly.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
I put my car into drive but it reverses 2003 Ford Mustang
ANSWER : Hi there – thinking about the sequence of events you describe, it seems clear that the gear shifter linkage – probably the shifter cable attachments – was disassembling itself, leaving the transmission in Reverse. In the end, the starter interlock doesn’t sense Park or Neutral, it will no longer start the engine. I recommend a shifter inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
Read Full Q/A … : Car is sputtering while in drive or reverse
My car will only shift into reverse and neutral, can’t get it into the drive gear
ANSWER : This may be a result of low transmission fluid or potentially a faulty transmission control module. A faulty transmission control module may cause a delay in acceleration or erratic shifting of gears. The transmission control module has various sensors such as vehicle speed sensors, wheel speed sensors, throttle position sensors, turbine speed sensor, and transmission fluid temperature sensors that all direct information to it in order for it to perform it’s function. Other functions controlled by the TCM are components such as a kick down switch, traction control system, and cruise control module. Any of these may also affect the way the transmission control module performs and controls the transmission and the shifting of your vehicle. I would suggest having a professional from Your Mechanic come to your location to properly diagnose your transmission problem.
Read Full Q/A … : Car is sputtering while in drive or reverse
The engine stalls when I put the car in reverse, but if I go past reverse into drive there is not an issue.
ANSWER : Hi there. Usually when you shift into reverse and engage the brake it will cause the engine RPM to drop; as it’s creating a load against the transmission and the engine. If the engine stalls, it may be caused by a faulty idle control valve, bad O2 sensors, or clogged fuel injectors.
In regards to the "pan", we’re not sure what you are referring, so it may be a good idea to contact one of our local professional mechanics to complete a battery inspection to determine what’s going on with your 2010 Ford Focus.
Read Full Q/A … : Car is sputtering while in drive or reverse
Alternator belt got torn whilst driving and had new belt fixed but the car won’t move on drive or reverse after few seconds drive
ANSWER : This is a sign of a faulty transmission control solenoid. Modern automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears. Every time a gear change is required, the car’s computer activates a transmission solenoid, which directs transmission fluid into the valve body to engage the correct gear. When this is faulty or not working properly, this can cause a delay in gear shifting or in some cases cause the car to not shift at all. If you’d like, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to inspect your vehicle, and provide a definitive diagnosis for the shifting issue.
Read Full Q/A … : Car is sputtering while in drive or reverse
Metallic click sound when putting car in drive or reverse from park, and another click (sometimes) when making a turn.
ANSWER : You may have damaged the axle or strut. I would have the entire front inspected and have the clicking diagnosed. When anyone hits something hard enough to pop a tire there is most likely damage to some component in the area where it was hit. A visual inspection may or may not identify the problem, but a good mechanic can road test and hear the sound and should be able to pinpoint the cause of the clicking noise and recommend a repair.
Read Full Q/A … : Car is sputtering while in drive or reverse
Replaced alternator on car 2 times each time shows it’s charging 14v let car run for a little bit then test drive and car voltage
ANSWER : There are reports that the replacement alternators will not communicate with the engine computer and will not charge correctly. I recommend using only the manufacturer approved replacement part. It can be new or remanufactured but approved for use in the vehicle. Some lower cost alternators on the aftermarket will have charging problems since they will not communicate with the ECM on the vehicle and will stop charging.
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I just got a new transmission put in my car and it drives and reverse but won’t go up hill.
ANSWER : This may be a sign of a faulty transmission control solenoid. As you know, automatic transmissions use pressurized hydraulic fluid to change gears. Every time a gear change is required, the car’s computer activates a transmission solenoid, which directs transmission fluid into the valve body to engage the correct gear. When this is faulty or not working properly, this can cause a delay in gear shifting or in some cases cause the car to not shift at all. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to take the car for a test drive to more specifically determine the cause for this.
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My pacifica runs and drives only reverse when i shift it to drive dies quickly . But you can shift it to reverse and neutral
ANSWER : This is an internal problem with the transmission and may be a valve body or leaking internal seal. The problem is the transmission leaking pressure internally, and when you put it in drive, the transmission is trying to go into reverse and drive at the same time causing the transmission to stall the engine. Have a mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, scan the computer to see if a code is received that will help detect the cause. They will be able to diagnose your stalling issue, and any other problem you are having, so that a proper repair can be made.
Read Full Q/A … : Car is sputtering while in drive or reverse
