RPM sticking during acceleration on a 2004 Fusion

When going on a 40-mile ride trip to get something downtown, with a couple of random times while accelerating in my 'O4 Ford Fusion L4, I've noticed that RPM might stick to one point and won't do anything unless I push it down. What could it be and what should the dealer diagnose?
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
That thing has an electronic throttle. It’s called "drive-by-wire." Basically, you are actually stepping on a computer mouse and the computer mouse sends electricity to the computer. The computer then sends the electricity to the throttle stepper motor and the throttle opens and closes. Since you stepped on it and it does nothing, that means that the system has broken down. Have someone analyze it and see what’s wrong.

On that particular model, a lot of times it is a bad pedal sensor. I recommend having your acceleration inspected and do it soon. This is a dangerous symptom.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

If your Ford Fusion is having trouble accelerating and the wrench light has come on, you`re likely dealing with a throttle body issue. The throttle body may need to be replaced.
RPM fluctuation is a common issue for cars with faulty spark plugs as they fire the fuel with the pistons. If they wear out, your acceleration slows, and jerking and misfire start occurring, which, in combination, causes poor fuel economy and vibrations.
Fuel injectors may become dirty over time and not be able to provide as much fuel to the cylinder as is needed. Dirty fuel injectors may cause the engine to run lean which will in turn, cause hesitation when accelerating.
What RPM should a car drive at when accelerating? When accelerating your vehicle, it is best to stay within a 2000-2500 RPM range. This will give you enough power to reach an acceptable speed level while also ensuring the engine stays within safe operating limits.
What could the problem be? There are a range of reasons why your car is juddering when you accelerate. Your vehicle could have dirty fuel injectors, a damaged fuel pump, a blocked catalytic converter, a faulty mass airflow sensor, broken spark plugs, or even an accumulation of moisture.
A common cause is a problem with the spark plugs or ignition system. Other potential causes include a blockage in the fuel line, a faulty oxygen sensor, or a problem with the mass air flow sensor. Vacuum leakages can also cause a delay in acceleration. A clogged air filter or low engine oil level can also be a cause.
This is a common sign of a failing throttle position sensor. The throttle position sensor (TPS) is a sensor used to monitor the throttle position of a vehicle. The sensor is usually located on the butterfly spindle/shaft so that it can directly monitor the position of the throttle.
Ford F 150 jerk on acceleration can be caused by an oil pan gasket, which may need to be replaced. Ford F 150 jerk on acceleration can also be caused by a faulty throttle positioning sensor. If the vehicle jerks when accelerating, this will cause an increase in fuel consumption and may need to be replaced.
The most typical causes of a car not accelerating while driving include a faulty sensor, contaminated fuel or air filters, or a faulty timing belt. Generally, this isn`t something you should ignore.
The idle speed should feel consistent without skipping or slipping. In most of today`s cars, an idle speed of 600 to 1000 RPMs is average. If your car is idling rough, though, it won`t feel smooth. The RPMs will jump up and down, for example, or they`ll fall below 600 RPM (or whatever is typical for your vehicle).
The ideal RPM for any vehicle is 1500 RPM to 3000 RPM. In this range, you can save up on a lot of fuel by driving efficiently. The ideal RPM for any vehicle is 1500 RPM to 3000 RPM.
When you press down the accelerator pedal and get minimal output, it could mean you have a problem with your fuel system. The most probable issue is a clogged fuel filter. Your fuel filter works to ensure that dirt and debris do not get into the fuel system.
Engine hunting and surging at idle is usually caused by a fuel delivery, air leak, or governor system problem. Cleaning/overhauling the carburettor, adjustment of the governor, and/or changing the air filer may be required.
If the alternator is dying and the battery isn`t fully charged you can expect all kinds of weird electrical problems to happen. The alternator output will fluctuate with changing RPM.
The shaft RPM sensor is typically mounted to the tail shaft of the machine being monitored. The sensor is mounted in the EZ 1 Mag mounting bracket assembly, which attaches to the tail shaft with a 1/2″-13 UNC tapped hole.
Improperly functioning spark plugs cause an uneven burn of fuel in the engine, resulting in fluctuating RPMs and a louder noise. You might also experience increased vibrations of your vehicle while sitting idle or while traveling at low speeds.
Dirty Air Filters

The air filter functions to prevent dirt and debris in the air from entering the engine. If it`s dirty, it could restrict airflow to the engine, thus reducing the amount of oxygen that the engine gets. This causes an uneven oxygen-to-fuel ratio in the engine which leads to misfiring and car jerking.

You can usually tell right away when your engine is sputtering. It might be backfiring or it just sounds and feels like it is not working at normal power. A sputtering engine means that it is not achieving full combustion.
Ford F 150 jerk on acceleration can be caused by an oil pan gasket, which may need to be replaced. Ford F 150 jerk on acceleration can also be caused by a faulty throttle positioning sensor. If the vehicle jerks when accelerating, this will cause an increase in fuel consumption and may need to be replaced.
You will feel a loss in power while accelerating and at times intermittent jerks. To solve this issue find the fuel filter located in the engine bay or near the fuel tank in your car`s trunk. If the fuel filter is clogged replace it if you have the skills to do so or get it changed at your local mechanic shop.
Ford F 150 jerk on acceleration can be caused by an oil pan gasket, which may need to be replaced. Ford F 150 jerk on acceleration can also be caused by a faulty throttle positioning sensor. If the vehicle jerks when accelerating, this will cause an increase in fuel consumption and may need to be replaced.
Common reasons for this to happen:

Tire issues: The most frequent causes of a vehicle shaking while driving stem from tire issues. Tires begin to behave differently when worn or out of balance. Tire replacement, realignment, and rebalancing are common solutions.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

RPM sticking during acceleration on a 2004 Fusion
ANSWER : That thing has an electronic throttle. It’s called "drive-by-wire." Basically, you are actually stepping on a computer mouse and the computer mouse sends electricity to the computer. The computer then sends the electricity to the throttle stepper motor and the throttle opens and closes. Since you stepped on it and it does nothing, that means that the system has broken down. Have someone analyze it and see what’s wrong.

On that particular model, a lot of times it is a bad pedal sensor. I recommend having your acceleration inspected and do it soon. This is a dangerous symptom.

Engine RPMs drop suddenly from 2500 to 500-1500 RPM on 2013 BMW 650i
ANSWER : Thanks for writing in about your 2013 BMW 650i. The symptoms sound similar to a vehicle with a throttle position input error or a major boost leak in a forced induction vehicle. To verify this, I would recommend having a professional, such as one from YourMechanic, diagnose the loss of power problem in order to have this repaired properly.

The rpm jumps up and down about 300 rpm when accelerator is constant. Only seems to happen when traveling between 40-50 mph
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The truck may be having issues with air sensors, fuel pressure, or other electronic issues. I have have to replace the fuel module and the mass airflow on my 1998 S10 with 168,000 miles. Fuel pressure can be tested in several ways, and you may want to start there. You should also have the truck scanned for diagnostic codes at your local parts store or by a technician. Even without a check engine light, there may be codes that indicate a component is about to fail. If none of the above is to blame, look into your gas recirculation system. For more help with diagnostics, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.

Engine jumps up in RPM when unnecessary.
ANSWER : Hi there. Typically when you rapidly accelerate while you’re driving, the transmission will "down shift" into a lower gear to assist in the acceleration; which increases the engine RPM’s until the transmission shifts into the higher gear. However, you shouldn’t have this issue all the time. In some cases, this is caused by the transmission fluid and filter being dirty, which causes the transmission to slip frequently. If you’re going to have your spark plugs changed, you might want to also have them flush the transmission fluid and change the filter or have one of our mobile mechanics come to your location first to complete a car is hard to shift inspection first; which will allow them to inspect your car personally to determine what is causing this issue.

Sometimes my car accelerates very slowly but the RPM rises
ANSWER : Hello. I would recommend first checking the connections to the MAF sensor and cleaning it as sometimes they will get dirty and cause this kind of problem. If this does not work you may need to have it replaced. If you would like to have an expert pinpoint the issue, a qualified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the acceleration problem and proceed with the proper repair.

When start out driving when accelerate does good to 2000 rpm and then when go to accelerate more it drops off and have to let off
ANSWER : Hello. From what you describe, it would appear that your vehicle is experiencing some sort of engine performance issues. Problems accelerating under load can be caused by many things. A few common causes are issues with the ignition, engine management, or fuel systems. If any components to those systems, such as an ignition coil, module, sensor, or fuel pump, have an issue, they can cause the engine to experience problems under load. If the Check Engine Light is on, I would recommend having the trouble codes scanned to see if that may shed some light on the issue. If the check engine light is not on, then the first thing I would do is test the vehicle’s fuel pressure, as fuel pressure issues can sometimes occur without the light coming on. A certified professional from YourMechanic can inspect the acceleration issue for you in person to pinpoint the appropriate repair.

Accelerating doesn’t produce increase in RPM
ANSWER : The throttle opening is controlled by the engine computer and if the computer sees a problem in the system it will limit the throttle opening. You need to have the computer tested to see the codes that can cause this. The problem will cause the computer to go into failure management mode and limit the throttle body from going over just above idle until the problem goes away or is fixed. In your case it must be an intermittent problem and will need to be isolated and repaired.

Idles between 500rpm and 1300 rpm. Main concern is low rpm. Belt or pulley chirping mainly at low rpm Drives perfect but Idles bad
ANSWER : Hello. From what you describe it would appear that your vehicle may have more than one issue.

Belt chirping is usually caused by a worn belt or tensioner. If either component wears out the belt may loosen and chirp when the engine is started, or cold.

The low rpm low quality idle can be caused by a few different things. I would look at the idle air control valve, as that is the component that maintains the vehicle idle, and at any vacuum hoses that may be cracked or damaged, and possibly leaking. This is more likely for older or high mileage vehicles.

If you’re unable to pinpoint the issue yourself, consider YourMechanic, as one of our mobile technicians will be able to come to your home or office to diagnose your starting issue firsthand and make the necessary repair to your car.