Hey guys. I just bought a 93 Protege LX and I am having some problems with it. When I press down on the throttle it doesn't do anything at all for a few seconds sometimes, then it kicks in. It does this consistently while I am driving down the road. My father and I have already checked the plugs and wires and they seem to be fine. My father thinks it could be as simple as replacing the fuel filter but could be as complex as needing to replace the whole fuel injection system.
Does anybody know what the problem could be?

 

quite possibly either the Spark plugs, wires or distributor needs replacing. They may seem fine, but Protegte's are known to show similar symptoms when either one of these are bad in any way.

Do the rpms search while at idle, to they dip then come back up? as well as what you described above?

plugs, wires and a cap and rotor won't cost too much and if it doesn't fix the problem, you needed them anyway

other possiblities:
1. to much gunk in throttle body, butterfly is sticking
----- remove intake hose and clean throttle body
2. sticky throttle cable, hinge pivot or return spring
----- lube or replace
3. missing or cracked vaccum hoses
----- replace or quick fix with duct tape
4. fuel filter clogged
----- replace
5. Sticky gas pedal hinge under dash
----- lube
6. .................. thats all i can think of right now.

 

If the throttle bodie and/or linkage isn't binding/hanging, check your IAC (Idle Air Control) sensor and/or TPS (Throttle Position Sensor).