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I have a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire with the 2.2L engine. When I accelerate slowly the engine seems to run fine. However, if I accelerate quickly the engine seems to hesitate. I have already replaced the MAP sensor and the air intake/charge temperature sensor.

Is there something else I should try to resolve this issue?

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When you say, hesitate, does it bog down, as in, takes a long time to speed up? Or does it bog for a second, then sort of take off? At this point, I'd be leaning towards a throttle position sensor. –  Paulster2 Mar 13 at 0:56
Um, if I accelerate quickly it will be like I no longer have the power it usually does to accelerate and the car kind of shudders then usually will smooth out. It will also exhibit the same type symptoms if I am going up a hill and downshifts. Also, like I said if I accelerate gently it seems to be fine. –  Michael Mar 13 at 1:36
Sorry, if my description isn't the best. I'm not sure the best words to use to convey the symptoms I am seeing. –  Michael Mar 13 at 1:36
Your description is fine. I was just trying to help you get more, stuff you might not understand to explain. Are there any engine codes (check engine light - CEL)? When was the last time it had a sparkplug/wire/O2 change (how many miles ago)? –  Paulster2 Mar 13 at 10:30
Spark plugs are new, and the plug wires are less than two years old (I don't remember exactly how long). It has been at least 5 years on the O2 sensor. –  Michael Mar 13 at 12:32

1 Answer 1

It could be the Throttle Position Sensor, when those go out, there seems to be a delayed response.

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Which is why I suggested it in my comment. TPS's don't usually go bad per se, but rather get dead spots in them. This is why they behave strangely when they do. –  Paulster2 Mar 13 at 23:08
I replaced the throttle position sensor, and definitely have seen a difference (improvement) in throttle response. Will give it a few days of actual driving on it before declaring success. –  Michael Mar 17 at 17:11
Also test your distributor/coilpack. They usually only misbehave under high engine load until they're really bad and die outright. –  Juann Strauss May 13 at 9:33

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