I have a 2000 Ford Escort, the other day as I was driving along the engine began to run weird, it sounds like it is choked up or running on only a couple of cylinders, if I put it in gear and try to drive it goes slowly, if I put it in neutral and rev the engine it sounds like it is all ok, but the minute I put it in drive and try to move thats when the problems begin. Any ideas as to what this could be?

 

My 97 had a similar problem. It turned out to be the coil pack. I cahnged the plugs and wires just for good measure but, be careful what wires you buy. I initially bought the Motorcraft OEM wires from Advance Auto and sucked big time. I went with a set of Accel 8mm wires and the car is running fine. Well I do need to replace the purge flow sensor and or the purge solanoid but, other than that it runs fine.

 

Thank you, I did replace the spark plugs and wires and the same problem, I took it to a mechanic and it did turn out to be the coil pack, wish i had got this response before I took it but thanks for the reply anyway.