These are the most common reasons why your car jerks while accelerating…
Car jerking is a common problem with many different factors that can contribute to the cause.
- Worn Out Spark Plugs
- Dirty Fuel Injectors
- Damaged Acceleration Cable
- Blocked Fuel or Air Intakes
- Accumulated Moisture
- Clogged Catalytic Converter
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1. Why Does My Car Jerk While Accelerating?
2. AAMCO Can Help!
3. More From Our Blog
Why Does My Car Jerk While Accelerating?
If your car is jerking around when you accelerate this is a warning sign that there is a bigger problem with your car. The sooner you are able to diagnose the issue, the more you can minimize the damage to your car and lower the costs of the repair. You should not ignore this problem, always bring your car into a certified mechanic before it gets worse.
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Worn Out Spark Plugs
Spark plugs that are worn out will cause the engine to misfire. This means that your spark plugs are not igniting the fuel in each piston cylinder in a timely manner, causing your car to jerk around while accelerating. If your spark plugs are worn out they should just be replaced, as they are generally an easy and inexpensive repair.
Dirty Fuel Injectors
Fuel injectors are how the gas in your car is admitted into your car’s engine. When your fuel injectors get dirty the stream of fuel will not be continuous, causing misfires in your engine – and as a result your car to jerk as you accelerate. Your fuel injectors should be cleaned occasionally to avoid this problem, as well as more costly repairs down the line.
Damaged Acceleration Cable
You may experience jerking if your acceleration cable is worn out. This is a metal braided cable that serves as a link between the gas pedal and your engine throttle plate. When you press the gas pedal the cable is pulled and this opens the throttle. Over time these cables weaken with age and can fail and break. When this cable becomes damaged it will take you longer to accelerate and cause your car to jerk.
Blocked Fuel or Air Intakes
Car engines need air and fuel to work. Inside of your engine air mixes with fuel and is lit by the spark plugs to create an explosion that moves the pistons inside. This cycle continues on and on, allowing your car to move. If there is a block in the lines that allow fuel or air into your engine then this cycle is interrupted and can cause your car to jerk as you try to accelerate. Typically a check engine light will appear if one of these intakes is blocked – remember, never ignore your check engine light, always bring it into a service center right away!
Don’t GEt Jerked Around up by Car Problems
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Accumulated Moisture
Moisture gathering in your car’s distributor cap can cause your car to jerk while you are accelerating, as this will cause your engine to misfire. This can happen easily when you are parked outside in cold weather. The best way to prevent this is to park in a warm dry spot on cold and wet weather days.
Clogged Catalytic Converter
Your catalytic converter is responsible for regulating the emissions coming out of your car. Sometimes the rich mixtures of air and fuel that flows through your catalytic converter can clog, which can result in a jerking or stuttering motion when you press the gas pedal.
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Don’t Let Your Car Jerk You Around – AAMCO Can Help!
If you notice your car jerking when you accelerate it’s time to bring it in to the auto repair experts at AAMCO Colorado. At AAMCO Colorado, we run a thorough Vehicle Courtesy Check to get at the root of the problem, make an accurate diagnosis, and confirm with you the work that needs to be done to fix it right and get you back on the road.
If you are having car troubles find your local AAMCO Colorado and call or book online today to visit us today.
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THANKS A LOT
Very informative!!
Thanks a lot here! I think my accelerator cable could be my problem coz my plugs are okay. I never spiked a service.
Very informative and easy to understand.
Thank you
Can the coil pack be damaged that can also cause the problem
James,
We understand how frustrating it can be when your car isn’t working right. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
My car jumps hard when slowing down to turn in and makes a loud noise what could that be the car runs fine other than that and it does not do it every time I drive it .
Marie,
Any new an unusual jerking and jumping motions coupled with loud noise is a cause for concern, these symptoms could indicate a growing transmission problem or problem is another system of your car.
We understand how frustrating it can be when your car isn’t working right. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
My car jerks when it got warm little especially when my foot is on the gas pedal, it does that when I break down and trying to accelerate again. I change plugs and it work well that very day and start again second day.
Car jerks at 23 RPMs then straightens out for a while and then goes to jerking again at 20 RPMs I’ve checked everything except the gas tank
Hello,
If you are experiencing jerking or new unexplained symptoms with your car we suggest visiting a mechanic for a diagnostic test right away. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Hello Sir / Madam
I’ve polo hatchback polo 2011 ..it jerked when drive with gear 3and 4 and after engaging gear and leave pedals just starts to jerk immediately indicate ABS on my dashboard.
The floor in the rear and front passenger sides have flooded (water) in the last few days and today the car leapt and lurched when I drove it down the driveway so I turned back. And ideas what’s wrong????
Susie,
If you are experiencing jerking or new unexplained symptoms with your car we suggest visiting a mechanic for a diagnostic test right away. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. Often times lurching and jerking motions indicate a transmission problem may be developing. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Anga,
Any new, or usual jerking can indicate larger transmission problems within your car. However, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
2006 expedition had a tune up done to it n still jerking to about 40 miles no lights on at all 3 mechanics n can’t find the problem
Yolanda,
Any new, or unusual jerking can indicate larger transmission problems within your car – or indicate the need for a transmission fluid flush. However, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
My car is jerking when driving above 85 speed.I took it to be diagnosed and it shows airflow mass. I bought the airflow mass but still it shows it and an engine light
What could be the real problem?
Jason,
Any new, or unusual jerking can indicate larger transmission problems within your car – or indicate the need for a transmission fluid flush. However, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
If your car jerks when accelerating then get it repaired as soon as possible. Because you don’t want it to break down in middle of the road when you’re up to something important. And also, start going for regular auto repairs.
Lary,
We couldn’t agree more, it is always best to get an issue checked out before it becomes a costly problem. We also suggested regular tune-ups for older cars.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
My car jerks while driving and roars when im not even stepping on the gas pedal while its on park. I did notice i had no engine fluid and bought some anf still no change.
Sandra
Issues with your car jerking can be an indication of serious transmission problems. However, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. You can also contact one of our mechanics directly by using our Ask A Mechanic feature.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Very useful information. Thank you very much!
It’s great blog. Thanks you!
Well my car started to like bogg out at high rpm like when I went to get on highway my car just started bogging out so I replaced the my whole exhaust from Mani fold back it needed it but thought catalac converter was bad but my car was good untill yesterday started doing it again then went away again Amy suggestions what this might be I’m thinking fuel filter or air filter it doesn’t do it all the time just every once in awhile it will bogg out when I give it alot of gas petal at one time
Russell,
Jerking can indicate a larger problem within your transmission system. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 14 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado
Thanks for sharing this advice on getting your car’s transmission problems fixed. I had no idea that a slipping transmission occurs when the gears become too worn. However, that could explain why my car has a little trouble decelerating. It feels like my car takes an extra moment to shift into the right gear. Either way, I should probably have my car inspected before I go and buy a new part immediately.
My car stutters and then jerks when I accelerate not all the time but sometimes. No check engine light. Car drives smooth other than
Samantha,
This stuttering could be an early warning sign of failure within your transmission system. Unfortunately, we can not diagnose your vehicle without seeing it in one of our service centers. If you are local to Colorado stop by one of 15 Colorado AAMCO Service centers and we can perform a free diagnostic check on your vehicle where we can access any repair needs your vehicle may have. If you have additional questions, be sure to check out our “Ask a Mechanic” feature, where you can email in your question to one of our AAMCO Colorado mechanics.
Thanks,
AAMCO Colorado