I have an 01 wind star that has an acceleration skip. No skip at idle, or any steady rpm, just when put under a load it will skip. I thought the tranny was shuddering at first but it's a misfire. Will not throw a code. I even held it back with the brakes for a solid minute trying to get a misfire code but no luck. I changed the plugs because I had no idea when they were last done and all looked good and even firing. No oil or fuel stains. I know these are known for plugging EGR tubes inside of the intake as well as intake gaskets leaking. Think that's it? Any other ideas? Thanks in advance!!

Ben

 

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Need a little more information... Your description sounds more like the transmission than the engine. If the engine was rough idling then I would agree that it's the engine, plugs, or coil, causing a misfire. fyi: The windstar has a 4 speed transmission. Basically my van skips between 1st and 2nd, which is a common problem with this transmission. When you drive the van does it occur between 1st and 2nd gears, 2nd and 3rd gears, etc?

 

Thanks for the reply! It is 100% the motor not transmission as it will skip if I rev it up in park or neutral. But if I slowly raise the rpm it will run smooth at all RPMs. That's why I think it's an EGR or intake vacuum leak but wanted second opinion. I just find it weird that the ECM won't throw a misfire code that's all. Thanks again!
Ben

 

Ben: The error is not bad enough to cause a code, if you wait you will get one.

Meanwhile check if the little white plastic grommets for the IMRC (intake manifold runner control) are still there. They cost about $8.00. You find the IMRC actuator on the passenger side just below the intake manifold. FoamieOmie has some pictures on his thread.

 

You can engage the IMRC actuator by rotating the throttle with your right hand while at the same time looking just below the intake manifold like bluewind said. You will have to rotate the throttle somewhat hard since the IMRC only works at higher RPMs. Or you can have someone press the gas pedal from inside the van

 

My04 freestar was also misfiring randomly. Started around 100,000mi. Thought it was water in the gas so added dry gas. NOT the problem. Did the recommended tune up. Continued misfiring, then had computer rebuilt. Better but still misfire randomly. Then it would not start. It was the vacuum line to the idle control. ( The thing that tells the throttle how much air to allow to engine.) I will check repair bills and make sure I am giving the right information. I'm wondering if it wasnt the vacumm line having the leak causing the whole problem. MANY MANY hours were spent diagnosing the problem, because it was random and fit no pattern or codes. Thanks to my mechanioc who didn't charge me anywhere close to the time spent on my van.