I’ve got a 1996 Ford Contour that has about 140k miles on it and this week the car started to stall while in idle and lurches and jerks until i give it gas- and on occasion -stalls.
My friend who’s done a lot of work on his own vehicles suggested it’s the throttle position sensor acting up.
Before I bring it to my mechanic, does this seem to be a reasonable answer?
Does the check engine light come on?
Has the maintenance called for in the owner’s manual been done?
There are a number of parts that could cause this.
The TPS can be tested. Don’t let them just throw parts at it.
When it gets fixed, you are still stuck with a 1996 Contour. You have reached my 140,000 mile limit for old Escorts, Tauruses, Tempos, and Contours. It is not worth keeping any longer. At least scan the codes before guessing at the problem. You can get a scan tool for $50 or a better one for $98 at Wal-Mart. See if your plug and coil wires are falling off.
There has not been a ‘check engine light’ as of yet.
maintenance has been done up till this point.
I’ll check round for the scan tool…I think I can get one for a period of time.
I would junk it (body work needs to be done on it- Maine uses salt in the winters and it ruins the undercarriage), but the economy isn’t as promising as I would like it to be!