Q: My 93 Ford Explorer hesitates when opening the throttle, it is very sluggish and acts like it has no power. Then all of a sudden i

asked by on October 18, 2016

My 93 Ford Explorer sometimes doesn't want to respond when I get into the throttle. the thing is, when the RPM go to 1300 then slowly drop to normal when started the car will run fine. But if it doesn't it will act lethargic. I've replaced the TPS, and MAF.

Car is not getting enough power Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

You are correct to suspect the MAF with this sort of symptom. The MAF detects the the amount of air entering the motor. If there is a vacuum leak, or more common, if the air boot that connects the MAF to the throttle body has a crack in it creating an air leak, then the new MAF will give the same bad readings as the old one. So first thing to do before replacing a MAF is to make sure there aren’t any vacuum leaks. The TPS is unlikely to be the cause of your symptoms.

It is common for there to be a crack in the intake boot that only creates a vacuum leak when it gets torqued by the motor or other variables cause the crack to open. In other words, it can be an intermittent problem. The best thing to do is grab the intake boot and move it around to see if the motor reacts.

Beyond this, you will need a scanner that is capable of viewing the vehicle data. This data is valuable for a successful diagnosis of your Explorer.

If you should need further help with this, I recommend the following inspection; car is not getting enough power inspection

Good luck!

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How does the autolock feature on my car work?
Your car is equipped with an autolock/autounlock feature that’s designed to help keep you and your passengers safe while on the road, but also to make it easier to get out of the car when you park. Here’s how it...
Try to start car, no power.
Hi there, A loose terminal will prevent the alternator from properly maintaining a charge. Also, a weak or failing alternator will cause the engine to stall when you have described as the voltage and amperage outputs would be greatly reduced...
My car is shaking when i stop. I was told i need new rotors. How much would that be including parts and labor
Not only would you need to replace the rotors but you would need to replace brake pads and rotors at the same time. (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-rotor-disc-replacement) The rotors are causing the car to shake when stopping. (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-pedal-vibrates-or-shakes-inspection) The brake pads will have...
Just replaced spark plugs and wires and my car is still miss firing and I can't pin point why and my old spark plug is oil covered
Hello there, many faults will cause your 1988 Ford Contour to have a misfire even after the spark plugs were replaced. When oil is seen on the spark plug this indicates that the valve cover is leaking onto the plugs....
1992 Acura Legend, when the timing belt goes, is it common for the valves to bend?
If the timing belt break off, the engine's pistons will hit the valves as the pistons are moving. The engine is an interference engine and can cause damage to the internals of the engine. The last time the belt came...
Can i do a 370z engine/manual tranmission swap to a nissan altima s 2008 sedan
The 370z engine is a 3.7L V6 (Type VQ37VHR). It uses a completely different engine computer and consequently, you would have to carry over the entire electrical system from the 370z to the Altima. The suspension and alignment of the...
2012 Kia Sedona - Major gas leaking. Shop said it was the fuel injectors
Without visually seeing the leak it is hard to know if the fuel rail or injectors are the cause of the fuel leak. The fuel injector seal to the fuel rail may be leaking. If you want another mechanic like...
I’m seeing and smelling smoke and my traction control light is on.. is this a common problem? Also my ABS light blinks on occasion
Smoke from under the hood will be oil or coolant leaks. If I had to guess, I'd say you probably have some oil leaks that are getting oil on the exhaust manifold which burns when it hits the hot surface....

Related articles

What Happens to Sensors if They are Dirty?
Car sensors can get dirty with normal use. Symptoms of dirty sensors include reduced engine power, worse gas mileage, or an engine that hesitates.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Air Charge Temperature Sensor
Common signs include a lack of power when accelerating, trouble when starting in cold weather, and a decrease in fuel efficiency.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Speedometer Sensor
Common signs include the speedometer not working, cruise control not engaging, Check Engine Light coming on, and loss of power.