Hesitation Under Light Loads

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

Ever since I got this car, it's had a hesitation when accelerating. It' only does it in first gear, from what I can tell.

The car starts right up, idles fine, put it in gear, and it moves fine, but if you are at a standstill, and pull out of your driveway, as you are easing on the throttle, the car stumbles/hesitates (and bucks ever so slightly) a few times, until you give it a bit more gas (say, 1/3rd throttle?) and it evens out and runs fine. It responds well to throttle input in every situation but this.

It did it with fuel pump #2, and I just replaced the pump again (for unrelated reasons) under warranty, and the symptoms are the exact same, so I doubt the pump is to blame.

Any ideas? I read the other stumble/misfire thread, but his symptoms are a bit different than mine.

[SignatureSeriesOwner]

Several people mention cleaning the MAF sensor. How should I do this? IIRC, rubbing alcohol is a bad thing to use, not sure what a good alternative would be.

[usedtobeafordguy]

Originally Posted by SignatureSeriesOwner

Several people mention cleaning the MAF sensor. How should I do this? IIRC, rubbing alcohol is a bad thing to use, not sure what a good alternative would be.

They have MAF sensor specific cleaner at the parts store. I think it's made by CRC in a red can. You can use a q-tip with the cleaner, but go easy because the sensor wires are tiny and fragile. You could also try cleaning the throttle body if you haven't already. I recently did this(t.b.) and it fixed an idle issue I was having.

[SimplyTheBeSS]

check for vacuum leaks behind the MAF sensor.