I'm need some real mechanical help, let me start from the very beginning.

Alright, the first problem was that the car ('98 V6), was jerking real bad, and idling really rough. Eventually the engine light came on. I took it to get it checked the code that came up was that cylinder 5 was misfiring, easy enough. Had a look at it and turns out the cylinder wasn't firing at all and the spring needed to be replaced. Also, while poking around found out my fuel filter was FULL of sludge. Had them both replaced and the car ran fine for about a day or two.

After a couple days,I took it back to the shop and found out it was just a little hose that had either popped off or wasn't put back on. Either way, they plug it up and once again the car ran fine for about a day or two.

Now the problem was this, its kinda hard to explain without actually riding in the car but here goes. When I start the car, the RPM gauge is never steady and the cars is reving itself like its trying to stay running, also the battery gauge also goes up and done. The lower the RPMs, the lower the batttery gauge goes until it eventually cuts off. I usually start it again, it cranks up fine, and it smooths out.

I took it back to the shop,but they said because the engine light hadn't came on, they'd rather wait to fix something, they said they didn't want to fix what they thought was wrong, and it wasn't it. So they told me to keep driving the car until thelight came on which it eventually did. So I took it back and they said a multiple code was coming up.

After reading thru the possibilities they thought it might be the Mass Air Flow sensor. So he unplugged it and told me to drive the car. I did and it ran fine. He said that was the problem and told me to pick one up and he'll personally put it on. That was probably about 2 weeks ago and the car hasn't been driving fine since that one time, which makes me believe that might not be it. I just wanted a second opinion before I bought that $200 part and there is something else wrong. Are they any experts out there that might have an answer??

 

fuel pumps do weird stuff

 

I suppose the new MAF is in & connected. When you unplug the MAF, it forces open loop condition which means that the PCM no longer looks at some sensors, and is working on internal data. If the car runs god in this condition it means that one or more sensors provided bad or no data. Just because the MAF was unplugged and the car started running good, it does not mean that the MAF was bad, it only means that some sensor was bad.
In open loop mode the PCM reverts to speed density and looks at data from the Crank Position Sensor, Ignition Control Module, IAT ( Intake Air Temp), MAP (Manifold Absolute Press). and ECT (Engine Coolant Temp).
You need to see what codes were set and check one thing out at a time. Use the scan tool to look at sensor data & see if it makes sense. The PCM will throw a code on a totally broken sensor, but cannot tell if a sensor is telling lies.

 

Thanks Pete, but no the new MAF is not in, the old one is still unplugged. It must be the Crank Position because when I took it the very first time, they told me that other than the misfire code there was one for the crank position, but they said it wasn't something I needed to fix right away. They also said my belt tensioner was going bad because it was sticking out a little. So do I need to replace the MAF or the Crank Position? What should I do about the belt tensioner?

 

Now something new had started. I'm really close to giving up on this car!!! Now when I try to graduallyaccelerate, the carjust shakes and jerks. It won't accelerate unless I really step on it. Is my car graveyard bound??!?!

 

The car should run OK with the MAF disconnected as long as the other stuff is OK. I would change the crank position sensor, if nothing else it is a lot cheaper than the MAF. The crank sensor is tied in to the ignition module and could make the engine run poorly. You can have the ignition module and the coil packs tested & see how they look. Many AutoZone stores have the testing equipment.The other problem, being that the engine was running poorly some of the plugs may have fouled

 

T_jnorth, I'm having the SAME EXACT problem, Car idles rough and lack major power while trying to accelerate, i had my plugs(platinum) ,plug wires, fuel filter put in and still the problem exist! my fuel pump used to hum once inna while, i hope its just that, ! sucks i need to take my car into the shop today =(