2002 Ford Escort keeps revving while driving at a steady speed - help!

February 13, 2016 3:00 PM

Hi, recently my 2002 Ford Escort (automatic) has been revving up to 3-4 RPM while I'm driving, and is not very responsive to me stepping on the gas. This is most evident when I'm stuck behind drivers who are constantly slowing down/speeding up, or when I've stopped moving after coming to a complete stop (i.e.: stop lights). Since I've had the car, it's also shook when stopped, but it's never done this until the last several weeks (and has gotten worse today).

My gut feeling is that it's the transmission, but I admittedly don't know a lot about cars. Any ideas?Thanks!

posted by oxfordcomma to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total)

I drive a 2002 Ford Focus automatic and had similar issues for ~4 months. Eventually it progressed to stalling out after waiting at lights/stop signs for more than a few minutes. It was the fuel injection system and fuel pump. I know nothing about cars FWIW.
posted by holyrood at 3:12 PM on February 13, 2016

My first guess would be electronics, but there is no way to diagnose this over the Internet. You need to see a mechanic, like yesterday.
posted by rodlymight at 4:37 PM on February 13, 2016 [1 favorite]

I had a similar problem with a Chevy Lumina, and it was a fuel sensor issue. Definitely something to get looked at and soon.
posted by peanut_mcgillicuty at 6:16 PM on February 13, 2016

My previous car did this when its computer went kaput. Nthing mechanic ASAP.
posted by thomas j wise at 6:20 PM on February 13, 2016 [1 favorite]

You really need to get to an autozone pep boys or whatever you have that provides the codes to you by connecting to the vehicle computer.
posted by iNfo.Pump at 6:42 PM on February 13, 2016

I had a car that would rev on its own if there were some problem that needed to be addressed, such as low oil (I can't remember what it was). This was done deliberately by the car electronics as a way of signaling the driver, not as an effect of the problem.
posted by slkinsey at 7:20 PM on February 13, 2016

Yes, this is probably a transmission issue. Most likely a torque converter issue, but maybe just transmission fluid level, although I think that's an outside shot (I don't know how exactly the transmission in that car is set up).

When some transmissions have low oil, they can't generate the pressure required to allow the gearbox to change to the next gear, so it 'holds' the lower gear and can give the symptoms you suggest. First thing is to check your manual for how to check transmission fluid levels, but if you can't check it (some trans are sealed) then it needs to go to a mechanic, and quickly.

I can't tell from the symptoms if it is doing more damage by driving it, but it is probably safer to assume it is, than not.
posted by Brockles at 9:10 PM on February 13, 2016

This was an issue on today's (archive) Car Talk.

It was most likely the torque converter. The torque converter transitions between a fluid gear to a more solid gear, as speed increases. Then, when speed decreases, it is supposed to transition back to being more fluid. It sometimes doesn't.

A key indicator: if you've ever had experience with a manual transmission, and paid attention to what happens when you're going too slow for the gear: if that's what your car is doing, then it is the torque converter.

A 2002 vehicle is sensor-laden enough to be mildly intelligent, and is probably getting confused about what it thinks is happening.
posted by yesster at 10:53 PM on February 13, 2016

Best answer: Does it sound like what happened to me?

It turned out to be a really crusted up Idle Air Control Valve. I declined the Terraclean decarbonation and the car was just fine.
posted by porpoise at 9:44 AM on February 14, 2016