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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.
    – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 ♦
    Mar 13 '14 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 '14 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 '14 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)?
    – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 ♦
    Mar 13 '14 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 '14 at 12:32
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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.
    – Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2 ♦
    Mar 13 '14 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 '14 at 17:11
  • Also test your distributor/coilpack. They usually only misbehave under high engine load until they're really bad and die outright.
    – Captain Kenpachi
    May 13 '14 at 9:33

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