Engine hesitates while accelerating

Hi Everyone,

I have a 2000 Intrigue with 88k. My transmission was shifting rough, so I stopped, put it in park, hit the gas to see if my engine was running right. The engine gets up to around 4k then hesitates and goes up to around 5k then stops going. It's as if the engine is not getting enough gas. The engine isn't running rough and I don't have any oil in my coolant so it is not a blown head gasket. I checked all of the hoses and connections for anything being lose. Nothing. I also cleaned the MAF sensor and I know the intake has been cleaned with in the last 2 years. I was thinking bad gas, but I am religious about changing my fuel filter every two years. Ditto for air cleaner. Hmm, I mistakenly overfilled the oil a few weeks ago, but drained it down to level after driving for a few weeks. Any ideas where to start?
Thanks!

The car has a rev limiter that is electronic. This reaction that you speak of is a normal response. When the engine hits the rev limiter, it shuts off the ignition, then turns it off when it gets below the specified RPM. This will make it seem like it is jumping up and down due to the quick response of the limiter. If it does this when the trans is in gear, that is a different story. I understand by what you have posted that this happens in neutral...:evillol:

Correct info on the rev limiter, the base problem of the tran shifts can be caused by a skewed tps, a bad pwm solenoid in the trans, a full scan with a trans function scanner may be required to see whats going on.

Thanks guys,
I took the car out, put her in 1st and rev'd her up to 6k no problem. I also noticed the issue occurs after driving for more than 30 minutes, shutting her down for half an hour and then driving. Cold no issues, warm there are issues. :screwy:

I am going to replace the TPS since that is straightforward. Then look into the pwm solenoid in the tranny if the issue still exists. I change tranny fluid and filter yearly. Use Castrol Dexron VI so I am confident the tranny is fine. Solenoids do wear out though.:mad:

At least I have a start.

Very confusing to piece your explanation together but I had a similar problem on my 02 intrigue 3.5L only when warm. I had to get the shift selunoids replaced $480.00. 95 days later the tranny blew $2108.93. My force clutch was ground down to a pulp 2nd and 3rd gear were missing a few teeth so they were replaced and so was msomething else. I got the car with that issue. I just didnt test drive it long enough to let the transmission warm up to see what was going on. It got fixed right though and is running great.

Interesting Ryan,

I have thought about replacing the solenoids and talked to my mechanic. it's not an easy task getting to them and replacing. It would really PO me if my tranny died like yours considering I change oil and filter every year. Here in Seattle with all the winter and spring rains, it makes sense to change tranny and other fluids in the late spring to remove any possible water or dirt contamination. Did you change and/or check your tranny fluid before or after replacing the solenoids?
I had a 2001 Intrigue where around 90k the tranny died as well. It didn't exhibit the same kind of symptoms, it just stopped moving. Both of these Intrigues I have bought used, loved both. Hated to sell the 2001, but Grandfather bought daughter a 2003 Escape. He's a Ford man...
Thanks everyone
Bryan