Chug chug chug

[lethaljay]

AH! Every time I'm at a stop light and I start letting off the brake pedal, just to creep up a bit, it chugs, not a smooth creep. It almost feels like if you were running out of gas. It just started doing this yesterday and I can reproduce this all the time. When I first started noticing this it was pretty bad in my opinion. The car chugged a little bit even just completely stopped. It's not so bad now but it still chugs when you move forward. After you start driving all the chugging disappears. I don't think it's just "bad gas" because I always fill up at the same gas station and I have had no problems with it with any of my cars, ever. That gas station also has a guarantee that it wont harm your car. I have NO mods such as a tune that would affect things like this, it is bone stock.

I'm taking it to the dealer in a couple weeks to get it's oil changed since it has 2,800 miles on it. So it would be nice if I could steer the mechanic in the right direction when he goes takes a look at my pride and joy. Thanks guys for your input!

 

[MCMustangMan]

My 2 cents worth is that it sounds like bad gas (water in your tank) or something like that. Sometimes water gets in the gas stations fuel tanks, especially if they leave the cap off while raining (LOL). If you are getting no flags from the computer it is likely to be an air or fuel problem. I believe if you were getting an inadequate spark you would flag. I would get some dry gas and pour a bottle or two into your tank and see if it clears up. Also, check the air cleaner. I know checking the air cleaner sounds weird, but I have had problems like what you are experiencing with a clogged air cleaner (though it is unlikely if your air cleaner is less than a year old). Otherwise, the dealer is the place to get help in an instance like this.

Hope my two cents helps!

 

[lethaljay]

Oh I'm not too sure if this might be the case however, if it is I'm SCREWED! I hope it's not a serious electrical problem because tonight I noticed that while I was pulling the stallion into the garage every time I pressed the brake pedal the headlights would flicker slightly. Also I noticed that my dome light was flickering slightly also. Also, when I say "slightly", I mean it's hardly noticeable. I asked my passenger if they noticed it too and they didn't until I pointed it out to them. I'm not sure how the electrical system works; however a weak spark, like you said, might be caused by an electrical problem right? For example, if the alternator wasn't functioning properly at low idle wouldn’t a weak spark be "illuminated" (haha) by different flickering lights?

 

[MCMustangMan]

Lethaljay,

If you are getting flickering lights (especially at idle) I would suspect your alternator, bad battery cable or a bad electrical connection somewhere. Either way, it sounds like a dealer thing and would take it to them since it is under warranty. That way they can diagnose it on their equipment. Make sure your spark plug wires are getting a good connection to the plugs and the coil packs. Check the battery terminal connections, make sure your fan belt looks like it is working properly. I would really think you would get a flag on the dashboard if there was a problem with electrical though. Good luck!