I need a bit of help on a 1995 Sportage 4x4. 2.0L, SOHC. While driving, the vehicle begins to buck, almost as if the key is being cycled very rapidly. Seems to loose electrical power/ spark. I've cleaned and tightened the ground cables/ straps from the firewall to engine, battery to block, and 3-4 other smaller grounds to the intake plenum. The wiring harness looks to be OK. I have replaced the TPS which was faulty (broken spring internally). Still bucks. The engine temp. (cold/warm/hot0 does not seem to make a difference. The outside air temp. does not seem to make a difference. All emissions/vacuum hoses appear to be routed correctly according to the emissions/vacuum label. The coil pack/ignition module looks to be a single unit, mounted on a bracket at the driver side front of the cylinder head. Any one had a problem with that type unit? Also, where is the main computer? Could the connectors at the computer cause this type problem? New spark plugs (NGK) and plug wire set have been installed. Any suggestions or things I might have overlooked. I have ruled out a cam sensor or a crank sensor just because of the fact that the vehicle starts and runs. Thanks. David

Possible fuel problem?check fuel filter

Chopperpilot. Thanks. I haven't replaced the fuel filter yet. I did put a bottle of "Heet" in the fuel, along with 10 gal. of 93 octane, just in case of a moisture problem. Didn't make a difference. I'll change the fuel filter tomorrow and try again. Also, vehicle idles @ about 1250 RPM for maybe a minute or so, the will go to about 850 RPM. The idle fluctuates, but not necessarily for any given amount of time. Sometimes smells rich (not raw fuel, but exhaust rich), but no black smoke from the tailpipe. Thanks. David

An update: I replaced the fuel filter today. Still have the bucking problem. Seems to be electrical to me. I'd like to check the connector(s) at the main computer. Anyone tell me where it is located? 1995 Sportage 4x4, 2.0L SOHC, 5 spd. Thanks, David

The EMC or whatever you want to call the computer is under the passengers foot well.

ive heard alot of connections under hood get corroded.un hook em and re hook em. there is some cleaning stuff for connections.detox,progold.maybe carefully clean mass airflow sensor.an over oild k&n type filter can oil it up.ive heard oil can leak leak into center of valve cover where coils are.just some suggestions good luck keep us posted...

wheres axe or gary? those would be suggestions to look into.

Nailed it in one...

Try unplugging and replugging the three connectors across the top of the engine along the intake pipe several times.

Not too familiar with the SOHC and its ignition system, but it would appear that there could be issues with the ignition pack (are they a routine replaceable item? ie 50000 miles or whatever).

Other possibilities could be an intermittently blocked injector, or the wiring to it.

A bit of clarification, does the car run most of the time normally then intermittently stumbles, or does it run unevenly all the time? Does it idle OK (ie only bucks/stumbles under load?)

Iron, blitz, GaryinOz, and others. Thanks much for your ideas and suggestions concerning my problem with the 1995 Sportage. Today, I removed the wiring harness from inside the passenger compartment and brought it out into the engine bay for a better inspection. After inspection, and all looks OK, I retaped the entire harness. I found a bundle of ground wires on a metal bracket that were bolted to the backside of the cylinder head. The attaching bolt was loose. Probably the problem from the start. I'll replace the harness tomorrow, and attach those ground wires to a better more accessible location. (Lock-tite for sure on the bolt!) Looks like the previous owner (or a repair facility) had done a bit of "rigging" in the engine bay. I'll let you know how it all turns out. Thanks , David

its amazing how important a ground is, isn't it?

jaybur. Yeah, those ground are important! The bundle that was loose on the mounting consists of 2 pair of black wires, and 1 pair of black w/blue stripe. Don't know exactly what they go to for grounding purposes. Anyone? Maybe that will fix the problem. I'll know tomorrow!... David