I have a '96 Protege DX 1.5L standard transmission 122K miles. It recently began bucking during acceleration. When I accelerate very slowly, or stomp on the gas pedal, it doesn't buck, or atleast not as badly. It seems to have gotten worse over the last two weeks. At first I tried a higher octane gas - nope. Then I checked the distributor cap, and spark plugs - both fine. Next, I read on this forum that similar problems pointed to the Mass Air Flow Sensor. After calling a dealer and finding out it was $250, I found a salvage yard hadonefor $75 and told me if it didn't work, he would let me exchange it for another one. After trying both of them out and finding they didn't work, I found a tear in the air intake hose. Replaced that, but still the problem continues. My question then is: Do I need to buy a new MAFS? Do I need to check the fuel pump? Or is the fuel injectors? Please help, this problem is driving me nuts. Thanks.

 

If replacement MAF's had same symptoms then new one will probably not make any difference either. I would start with a new set of spark plugs and plug wires.

 

I took the car to dealer (not really what I wanted to do) because I figured they'd be able to tell me what's wrong. It turns out, the rotor was bad. $550 later, car is running fine.