I purchase a used 2003 Mazda Tribute from a dealer. I have had it for about a year now. I recently noticed a little jerk when I first accelerate. Almost like the gas pedal is to sensitive. Does anyone have an idea what this might be. I am schedule to have my transmission fluid flushed because I was told this is looked very dirty. Would poor transmission fluid cause this jerk?

 

It sounds like a motor mount might be a problem. If there is a motor mount that has a broken rubber insert it can cause the engine to move more than normal from a stop. And it will feel like a small bump or jerk. An easy way to check is to "powerbrake" the engine. Start the engine and put it in drive, while holding the brake press the gas pedal at the same time to see if you can duplicate the bump feeling.

It is also possible to have a throttle body that needs to be cleaned. Excess carbon build up can cause this same problem too.

 

I would check if your Trib has had the following recall performed. The throttle cable seems to stick at the beginning of its travel and you need to overcome the force to get over the hump. This results in giving too much gas and then having to take your foot off the gas or even braking it order to control the speed.

2002-2004 V6 3.0L ENGINES


RECALL # 2704L

ACCELERATOR CABLE REPLACEMENT


SYMPTOMS:

STICKING ACCEL. PEDAL

 

There was a recall on the throttle cable. I was having the same problem, as well as a friend. I had mine replaced at the dealership and it does the same thing afterwards!! Probably the same cable knowing my dealership. My friend had her husband replace hers with an aftermarket one and she didn't have the problem anymore.
Cheers!

 

Have seen a couple of bad throttle cables but the cable being at fault gave a harder throttle pedal feelthru the entire length of pedal travel. If pedal is only sticking when first trying to depress then more than likely is due to carbon accumulation inside the throttle body. If you are still under warranty then the dealer should be able to replace the throttle body assembly to correct the problem. Mazda does not really recommend cleaning as there is supposedly somespecial coating on the inner surfaceto prevent this very problem. Obviously does not work very well.
Have had very good luck cleaning the inside of throttle body with throttle plate/induction cleaner and an old toothbrush. It seems to last for a good 10-15k miles and then would need cleaned up again.

 

Can a broken motor mount be visually detected very easily? Could one cause a "bump" when the transmission is shifting between second and third gears? I was thinking that the transmission was failing on my 2003, but it only has 70,000 miles on it. A complete fluid change did not affect it.