First off let me say that I need this fixed ASAP because this car is my ONLY transportation to classes and work so ALL input on this is EXTREMELY helpful!

Car: 94 GT hatchback, manual transmission, 235k miles

Symptoms:
-At idle, rpms jump/bounce between 400 and 1000 rpm. Can feel a physical shudder/vibration when rpm drops. Almost as if it's about to die
-While accelerating, the car will hesitate and lurch forward a bunch. Seems to get better if I really hammer the gas pedal.
-Hard to start, sometimes have to crank for almost a fill minute before it will start
What i've replaced:
-Distributor
-Plugs and wires
-Battery is good to go
-Fuel FILTER


I have a feeling that after nearly a quarter million miles, my stock fuel pump is finally giving up. When I had my alignment done, I asked what this could be and he said that it's most likely the fuel pump but it could be a clogged fuel filter. He said to buy more time I should change the fuel filter, which I did. It helped a little until just now. Does anyone have any input on whether this sounds like a fuel pump thing? If so, what would be a reasonable price for parts and labor to have it fixed by a mechanic?

Thanks,
-Josh

What I had happen is my TPS (throatle Positioning Sensor) went bad in my 4th gen and caused a strange Idle, idled at about 400 and barely stayed alive.

DTE

Also try the Idle Air Control Valve (IAC). My car had a hard time starting and the rpms would dip so low that my engine would die and had to replace that at 200k. Hope this helps