Won’t accelerate pass 35 mph.
2004 nissan quest won't accelerate pass 35 mph .I know nissans are total garbage but its my mother inlaws junk.could it be the timing ?
My car has 100000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
This may be a sign of a clogged catalytic converter. The catalytic converter converts toxic exhaust gases into less harmful pollutants that are suitable to be expelled into the atmosphere. When this is clogged, this causes these gases to be backed up into the exhaust system not allowing the engine to breathe properly. When this happens, the engine is forced to work much harder to expel these gases. This often results in the engine bogging down, hesitating, shaking and causing very poor fuel economy. This should also cause a check engine light to come on as the O2 sensors should be reading the incorrect amounts of oxygen in the exhaust gases if this is your problem. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and replace your catalytic converter.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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Most of the time this is triggered due to a problem within the transmission. Either minor like low or leaking transmission fluid, a loose or malfunctioning sensor or a major component problem.
One of the most common reasons for poor acceleration is a problem with your car`s air intake system. If there is something blocking the air flow into your engine, it will prevent your car from getting the oxygen it needs to create the combustion needed for acceleration.
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.
“Limp Mode” – If your car won`t accelerate over 25 or 40 mph, it could have engaged `limp mode. ` It is also known as a limp home mode, and it acts as a preservation feature. It is meant to get you home, to an auto mechanic, or safely off the road without destroying your engine.
If you can continue to increase engine speed once you reach 45 MPH but the vehicle won`t actually go faster than 45 MPH, there could be a hydraulic fault in the transmission, a low transmission fluid level, slipping bands or clutches, a torque converter defect and so forth.
It sounds like your transmission is slipping. It does not mean it needs replaced. You will need to have the transmission checked and fixed for leaks and refill transmission fluid, then see if it still slips. Have a transmission mechanic diagnose the transmission for you.
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.
If the filter is clogged, it may not allow enough air to flow in, leading to problems with acceleration. This may also make it hard for the vehicle to gain speed when at higher miles per hour as well. That is because the wrong air-to-fuel mixture is sent to the combustion chambers to burn.
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.
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.
If your vehicle is having trouble going past 40 mph, then check the mass air flow sensor (MAF) and the fuel pressure regular. Both of these items could be restricting the engine and causing it to have a loss of power.
Typically when the car will not accelerate past 60 MPH, it`s due to either the ECU activating a limp mode or other mechanical (fuel or ignition system component) failures.
Throttle Body Issues: A dirty or malfunctioning throttle body can cause the engine to struggle to draw in air, resulting in a lack of power and slow acceleration. Low air pressure in tires: Low air pressure can increase rolling resistance and decrease the car`s performance, leading to slow acceleration.
If your engine revs up as you press down on the gas but your vehicle doesn`t accelerate as much as you`d expect, you may be dealing with transmission slipping. If you`ve ever tried to accelerate on ice, where your engine revs but your vehicle goes nowhere, you know the feeling.
When a throttle body is not functioning correctly, you`ll usually notice a distinctly poor or very low idle. If the problem is really severe, you might even begin stalling when coming to a stop or when the throttle is quickly pressed.
The easiest way to remove lag is by installing a device on your gas pedal called a throttle response controller. Throttle Response Controllers are blue tooth controlled, inexpensive, and make a big difference in immediate gas pedal response.
Fuel lines, dirty air filters, and throttle body issues can all cause a delayed throttle response. You can avoid this issues by installing a Throttle Response Controller. Engine response time will be improved, and you`ll enjoy driving your car more.
The car is probably in “limp-home-mode”. Most cars have this mode. It`s a safety setting that allows the driver to limp the car to safety, after something serious has gone wrong. It could be simply a sensor went haywire, and the car THINKS something horrible went wrong when it`s really not.
Worn Transmission Fluid (Automatic Transmission)
Over time, the transmission fluid gathers dirt and grime. This can cause the engine to run roughly, stall or fail to accelerate when you press down on the gas pedal. You may need to have a transmission fluid change before more damage is done.
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.
Limp mode is activated when the ECU (electronic control unit) notices that something is not operating within predefined parameters, this can be caused by a variety of factors such as: Extremely low levels of oil or coolant. Transmission errors – such as when the gearbox can`t change gears properly.
One of the most common causes of those issues is your car`s throttle position sensor, also known as the TPS. The little sensor plays a big role in how much fuel your engine gets at any given point in time, and if it`s not functioning properly, you may notice changes in how your car runs and accelerates.
The easiest way to perform an ECU reset is by removing the fuse from the fuse box. It is a very simple process, and all you have to do is pull out the car key, remove the fuse from the fuse box, and then put it back after about 15 to 20 seconds. Doing this clears any long-term memory stored in the car`s ECU.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My car is hesitating / jerking at speed intervals of 20 mph, 30 mph, 35 mph and 40 mph.
ANSWER : This may be a sign of a dirty or failing mass air flow sensor. The mass air flow sensor is a unit in the intake system that monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. When this fails, this can cause an imbalanced air/fuel load to be supplied to the motor which results in an over fueling or under fueling situation depending on the conditions. This may cause a hesitation, loss of power or jerking reaction when this sensor is malfunctioning. When this is not working properly, you may also notice a strong smell of fuel. I would suggest having a professional from Your Mechanic come to your home to diagnose your mass air flow sensor.
Read Full Q/A … : Won’t accelerate pass 35 mph.
Won’t accelerate pass 35 mph.
ANSWER : This may be a sign of a clogged catalytic converter. The catalytic converter converts toxic exhaust gases into less harmful pollutants that are suitable to be expelled into the atmosphere. When this is clogged, this causes these gases to be backed up into the exhaust system not allowing the engine to breathe properly. When this happens, the engine is forced to work much harder to expel these gases. This often results in the engine bogging down, hesitating, shaking and causing very poor fuel economy. This should also cause a check engine light to come on as the O2 sensors should be reading the incorrect amounts of oxygen in the exhaust gases if this is your problem. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and replace your catalytic converter.
Read Full Q/A … : Won’t accelerate pass 35 mph.
Loss of power won’t go over 35 mph – 1999 Dodge Ram 1500
ANSWER : This may be a sign of low fuel pressure, a failing mass air flow sensor or potentially a clogged catalytic converter. As you may already know, the catalytic converter converts toxic exhaust gases into less harmful pollutants that are suitable to be expelled into the atmosphere. When this is clogged, this causes these gases to be backed up into the exhaust system not allowing the engine to breathe properly (think of a backed up sink). When this happens, the engine I forced to work much harder to expel these gases. This often results in the engine bogging down and causing very poor fuel economy. This should also cause a Check Engine Light to come on as the O2 sensors should be reading the incorrect amounts of oxygen in the exhaust gases if this is your problem.
The mass air flow sensor is a unit in the intake system that monitors air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the motor. When this fails, this can cause an imbalanced air/fuel load to be supplied to the motor which often times results in the engine starving for air or fuel. This is what causes the hesitation or loss of power you describe. This can also cause the engine to struggle to idle for the same reason. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your home to diagnose and replace this sensor.
Read Full Q/A … : Won’t accelerate pass 35 mph.
Rpms Rev to 3000 but car does not accelerate pass 35 mph
ANSWER : Hi There,
What you are describing sounds like a clogged catalytic converter. The catalytic converter converts toxic exhaust gases into less harmful pollutants that are suitable to be expelled into the atmosphere. When this is clogged, this causes these gases to be backed up into the exhaust system not allowing the engine to breathe properly. When this happens, the engine is forced to work much harder to expel these gases. This often results in the engine bogging down, hesitating, shaking and causing very poor fuel economy. This should also cause a check engine light to come on as the O2 sensors should be reading the incorrect amounts of oxygen in the exhaust gases if this is your problem. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and replace your catalytic converter.
What you are describing sounds like a clogged catalytic converter. The catalytic converter converts toxic exhaust gases into less harmful pollutants that are suitable to be expelled into the atmosphere. When this is clogged, this causes these gases to be backed up into the exhaust system not allowing the engine to breathe properly. When this happens, the engine is forced to work much harder to expel these gases. This often results in the engine bogging down, hesitating, shaking and causing very poor fuel economy. This should also cause a check engine light to come on as the O2 sensors should be reading the incorrect amounts of oxygen in the exhaust gases if this is your problem. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and replace your catalytic converter.
Read Full Q/A … : Won’t accelerate pass 35 mph.
Car won’t accelerate past 25 mph
ANSWER : Hi there:
I think I answered your other question, but if the vehicle can start but won’t accelerate past 25 mph, it’s possible that your vehicle has triggered the "limp mode" activation. By connecting the cables in reverse direction it created a surge in amperage, and the flow of electrical current in the opposite direction; which bypasses any fuses or can trigger multiple warning codes. In most cases it causes serious electrical damage to computer. The limp mode happens when the ECU detects a problem inside the transmission. However, if the battery jump cables were swapped – it could have triggered this setting on your vehicle. Either way, to know for certain, you’ll have to have a mechanic physically inspect the vehicle to determine what damaged actually occurred during the jump start issue you experienced.
Read Full Q/A … : Won’t accelerate pass 35 mph.
No acceleration past 30 mph, then 10 mph
ANSWER : Hello there, thank you for asking about your 1999 Chrysler Intrepid. The engine oil being overfull will not turn on the Check Engine Light. However, a transmission problem could and that’s what your issue sounds like. The first step in diagnosing your vehicle is to retrieve the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) associated with the Check Engine Light. These codes serve as a starting point for any further diagnostics. You’ll also want to check the transmission fluid level to see if it is full and clean. Often an internal transmission problem will result in fluid that is contaminated with metal, friction material, and/or smells burnt. My best advice is to have your vehicle inspected by a professional from YourMechanic who can replace/refill the transmission fluid if needed.
Read Full Q/A … : Won’t accelerate pass 35 mph.
Car won’t start after flooring accelerator while going 75 MPH.
ANSWER : Your Dodge Stratus sounds as if it may be experiencing a serious problem. The initial symptom of the RPMs jumping from maximum to 2000 RPMS, appears to reveal that your transmission has slipped out of gear. The maxing out of the RPMs may have damaged or broken the timing chain, which would explain the loss of power and the clicking/flapping sound. I specifically mention the timing chain for this particular vehicle because it is unfortunately somewhat of a common failure found in the Dodge Stratus. This kind of inspection and repair is best left to a certified mechanic to properly diagnose. They will have the knowledge and tools to go over the vehicle and find out exactly what is keeping your vehicle from starting.
Read Full Q/A … : Won’t accelerate pass 35 mph.
My car won’t go past 35mph
ANSWER : Hi there. From the description you provided, your vehicle has problems with the transmission again. You stated it will not shift into 3rd gear again, like before the transmission was rebuilt. If the transmission is again the problem, it should be covered under warranty. It could be a faulty shift solenoid. The shift indicator not reading properly could be a faulty transmission position sensor. If this is an overall lack of performance issue, according to your last statement, then possibly you have a restriction in the exhaust system. I recommend having your vehicle’s problems inspected and diagnosed by a certified technician from YourMechanic.
Read Full Q/A … : Won’t accelerate pass 35 mph.
