What causes hesitation and lack of power during driving?
4 Answers
The main reasons for hesitation and inability to accelerate during driving include: dirty fuel; clogged fuel injectors; blocked fuel filter; faulty fuel pressure regulator; poor performance of electric fuel pump; throttle position sensor malfunction; ECU (Engine Control Unit) failure; insufficient cylinder pressure, etc. Solutions for hesitation during driving: Check the fuel pump in the fuel tank to see if it is working properly. This task is somewhat tedious, requiring the removal of the rear seat, opening the fuel tank, and taking out the fuel pump for inspection. It might be caused by excessive impurities in the fuel pump, preventing fuel from being drawn properly. The reason for strong hesitation after releasing the throttle is: For manual transmission cars, hesitation is often due to driving technique issues. Many beginners fail to shift gears correctly when decelerating, causing the car to jerk due to gear dragging. For automatic transmission cars, hesitation after releasing the throttle is likely due to transmission abnormalities. First, check if the transmission fluid is low or has deteriorated.
Speaking of this jerking issue, I really need to talk about it. Having been into cars for years, I often see problems with the ignition system. If the spark plugs are dirty or the ignition coils are aging, it can cause poor engine ignition, especially during acceleration. You press the gas pedal but get no response, and the car jerks forward intermittently, almost like it suddenly loses power. This could also be due to unstable contact in the high-voltage wiring, causing intermittent sparks and incomplete fuel combustion, which naturally affects power output. I suggest first checking if the spark plugs are worn—just remove them for cleaning or replacement, which is simple and straightforward. But if not fixed in time, it not only increases fuel consumption but can also lead to more serious failures. Remember to focus on ignition components during every 20,000-kilometer maintenance to ensure the engine runs smoothly.
Oh, I recently encountered this issue too, let me share with you. At that time while driving, it felt like something was dragging the car, couldn't accelerate properly and there was jerking. Later at the repair shop, they found the fuel system was the culprit. For example, the fuel pump working unstably or the fuel filter being clogged, fuel couldn't reach the engine properly, causing intermittent power loss. Also, if the fuel injectors have too much carbon buildup, the fuel spray becomes uneven, making acceleration feel like gasping for air - super annoying. In my case, replacing the fuel filter solved it, just a small expense to fix. When driving fast regularly, it's best not to let the fuel tank stay empty for too long. Periodic fuel system cleaning can prevent this - safety first!
I've done a lot of research on vehicle electronic systems. Issues like hesitation and lack of power are commonly caused by sensor failures. If the throttle position sensor or mass air flow sensor is faulty, the ECU receives incorrect signals and can't properly control fuel delivery, resulting in inconsistent acceleration when you press the throttle. These components are hidden under the hood - they don't affect starting but cause noticeable jerking during acceleration. The repair isn't difficult - just use professional diagnostic equipment to check the data, and replacing the faulty part will restore normal operation. Modern vehicles rely heavily on sensors, so including sensor checks during regular maintenance can help detect issues early and prevent them from escalating into engine stalling problems.
