Hi, this ones the wifes TJ, 3.5l V6, auto, 285,000Km. Has a "flat spot" every now and again, can be at crawling pace driving in the backyard or when you go to pass at highway speeds, just dies for a second then picks up again, sometimes if your going slow it will stall. Does it about once or twice a week, and i would say only when your applying throttle. Can't find any loose plugs or anytning like that. Could it be the TPS dirty?
PeterN

How long since the spark plugs and leads were replaced? Thats where I would start, don't think its the TPS.

Also check the O2 sensor. If it's still the original at 285,000k then a fair chance it's knackered.

If it does it on light throttle only, or only when the throttle is first opened (ie. is ok with a bit of juice) it could be the EGR valve operating incorrectly, as in not closing when it should resulting in a lean mixture. With a bit of welly on the throttle the slightly lean mixture doesn't make much difference, but at slight throttle openings it has a big effect. In my case this turned out to be caused by a faulty MAF (sensor pack after the air cleaner) and one from the wreckers sorted the problem (new is $$$). Simple test for this: with bonnet up, open the throttle a little bit to see if it staggers or stalls. If so, try it again with the vac hose plucked off the EGR valve (which is on the back of the plenum chamber near the throttle) and your thumb over the hose, forcing the EGR valve to stay closed. If things run better with a bit of throttle it would seem to be EGR related and you can check all the related vac hoses and solenoids for correct operation. If you suspect the MAF, disconnect it and see if there's any improvement. They can be cleaned with MAF cleaner (don't use anything else) but I'm not sure how effective this is or whether it will revive a dodgy one. If it's not this, at least one more thing has been eliminated!

I have this exact same problem and have not found the solution to the problem. Nice to know Im not alone!
What were your symptoms Esoniq5?
My cut outs are extremely erratic and can happen under light or heavy acceleration, though are also only for a second or so! On the odd occasion its stalled at idle.

I have this exact same problem and have not found the solution to the problem. Nice to know Im not alone!
What were your symptoms Esoniq5?
My cut outs are extremely erratic and can happen under light or heavy acceleration, though are also only for a second or so! On the odd occasion its stalled at idle.

unplug the 02 sensor (the passenger footwell on the console will have a small white plug coming from under the car) and see if that fixes it. It did for me

And if that fixes the problem, then change the sensor?

I have this exact same problem and have not found the solution to the problem. Nice to know Im not alone!
What were your symptoms Esoniq5?
My cut outs are extremely erratic and can happen under light or heavy acceleration, though are also only for a second or so! On the odd occasion its stalled at idle.
My issues (resolved by swapping the MAF) were only evident under very light throttle, say up to 5%, and were basically staggering and occasionally stalling on takeoff. Any more juice than that and everything was fine and no issues at idle (dodgy MAF probably won't affect idle at all). Off the cuff your issues sound more electrical in nature, possibly distributor problems or a bad connection somewhere?

Throttle body and idle speed controller ports probably need a clean.

I sold my old TR magna V6 (which was laso a higer Km car) to the little old lady that wouldn't scare a church mouse, she rang the next day to say it stalled all the time, I drove it no Probs, I said she should take it to the dealer I bought it from as they had the service history, she rang back a week later to say the local dealer (where I had the car serviced) had cleaned the throttle body and butterfly and it was 100%

As your car is higher Km it also might need a clean out, or an Italian Tune Up...

Mine and the OP's problem sounds very similar, so I was thinking common faulty device hopefully. Ive been dreading the thought of it being a connection issue (loose or break in wiring)!
I get a distributor breaking down under load, but it happens under any and all conditions which steers me away from it. It hasnt happened for a week now and some days it will happen a few times. Such a weird one!
I have cleaned my TB and port not too long ago and I drive like anything but a granny.
Oh and I have new leads and plugs.

Thanks for your posts, I will try mcs's suggestion and the OP should probably attempt the same.