2002 Ford Focus Engine Light & Noise

Have a 2002 Ford Focus automatic, 100,000mi’s. The other day, when accelerating, the engine whirred and hesitated for about 0.5-1seconds. Engine light came on. This continued when accelerating (shifting gears), no problems when driving in second gear.



Is this a belt problem? Transmission? Easy fix? Hard?



Thanks

Automatic or manual transmission?

automatic

Does the transmission have the correct fluid level? Has the fluid ever been replaced?

There is no sense in guessing. Have the codes read and report the raw codes here. Some auto parts stores read them for free.