Q: Jerking reaction when accelerating

asked by on December 13, 2016

My rpm is a little over 1 when I start it.... I believe its clausing a jerk believe first gear and second. Only when I am driving slow..stop and go....should I have it ilde down??
My car has an automatic transmission.

Mass Airflow Sensor Replacement $188.36 - $786.53 Get a Quote

If your car is producing a jerking reaction as you press the gas pedal when accelerating, you may have a dirty of faulty 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 is dirty or faulty, this causes 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 type of inconsistent fuel supply to the motor may cause a hesitation, loss of power, a jerking reaction, potentially a bit of black exhaust smoke and typically a strong smell of fuel 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.

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

Can't operate the radio after jump starting my car
Your radio code can be retrieved from Honda directly at radio-navicode.honda.com. The code will need to be installed to restore radio function. You may need to contact your local Honda dealer if the radio will not accept the code provided...
Check engine light on - 2005 Mercedes-Benz SLK350
Have a mechanic check the code(s), then diagnose the vehicle based on that information. The problem setting the Check Engine Light may be doing other, unseen and expensive damage. A YourMechanic professional can help diagnose this issue by giving your...
Engine light came on , was hesitant when i pulled off , sometimes cut off when at stop lights
Hi and thanks for your question. Sounds like there could be a fuel or spark issue with your engine. First you would need to scan the computer for what the engine light code has stored to have a starting place...
When driving my car straight the steering wheel is still got play in it but what causes this?
Hi there. There are several things that can cause: tie rods, control arm bushings, tire balance, out of round tires, bent wheels, worn axles, failing wheel bearings. However, it seems like this could be a potential tire problem that I...
Traction Control System
Hello, It sounds like you may have a problem with your [traction control]( module or potentially a faulty wheel speed sensor. The traction control system monitors the steering and stability of the vehicle and engages when loss of traction has...
Car vibration
Your car has some of the most sophisticated Motor Mounts in the business. It may even have a variable motor mount that has a vacuum line going to it. When the car is idling, the engine vacuum opens a valve...
Control arm bushing replacement
The service that you are referring to, namely control arm assembly replacement (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/control-arm-assembly-replacement) includes the bushings. That control arm has two bushings in it, already pre-installed in the control arm. So, the price is "complete". If you want this service...
Car dies while driving
Hello, thank you for writing in. The vehicle can stall for many reasons. You are going to want to start with the most common causes, or do some further testing. To start, the fuel pump may be going out and...
Do I Need to reset the timing when the Serpentine belt breaks?
Loosing the serpentine belt should not affect the engine timing. But it sounds like you have some other problem. The first thing that comes to mind is that the harmonic balancer may be coming apart. The harmonic balancer is a...

Related articles

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing EGR Temperature Sensor
Common signs include engine ping or knock, the Check Engine Light coming on, and failing an emissions test.
How to Replace an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Temperature Sensor
Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) temperature sensors monitor the EGR cooler's operation. One is on the exhaust manifold and one is near the EGR valve.
How to Replace a Transmission Position Sensor (Switch)
Transmission position sensors (TPS) switch ensures a car is in Neutral or Park when started and shuts the car down if it's not in the right gear.