I have a 1993 Mercury Tracer that jerks on the highway and acts like it is trying to stall out at take off. Sometimes this does not happen at all for up to say maybe 15 to 20 miles or so. I wonder if it is a fuel filter problem or if it even has a fuel filter. If it does have a fuel filter then where is it located?

Hi Ronald,the 93 Tracer has 2 engines listed for it,the 1.8 and the 1.9.Here's the link to the 1.8 engine. Specifications Firing Order AutoZone com Here's the link to the 1.9 engine. Specifications Firing Order AutoZone com

Does this always happen AFTER you've run the vehicle, stopped, and tried to restart it?

This is usually the case when the belts are not tight enough. It may also happen if there was some oil spilled on one of the pulleys or something that would cause some slippage and wear on the belts. Most likely because they aren't tight enough.

This problem is commonly caused by a dirty automatic idle speed control valve and throttle valve. Buy a can of throttle valve cleaner from NAPA or Carquest (made by CRC chemicals) and spray it into the air intake while the engine is running, use up about 1/2 the can, engine will try to stall hold the speed up, shut it down and let it soak for 30 minutes, restart and blow out the remaining fluid, shut it down and disconnect the negative battery cable for 5 Min's to reset the base idle control

You can in most cases repair this slow speed stall or unstable idle by cleaning the engine throttle valve and the idle speed control valve using a product called CRC Spray Throttle valve cleaner. Spray the cleaner into the air intake of the engine with the hose removed from the throttle body, the engine will try to stall so hold up the idle speed manually. Once you have used up about 1/2 can of the cleaner stall the engine out while spraying and turn the key off, disconnect the negative battery cable for 5 minutes and then reconnect and drive the car for a about 25 miles of varied driving modes. If this doesn't cure the problem you may need the fuel injectors professionally cleaned by the dealer service dept.

basic tune up... plugs, wires, cap, rotor theres a start

Have you had the transmission serviced lately? Sounds like the transmission fluid is getting too hot and shifting it out of OD. Check to make certain the fluid is clean, the filter is not stopped up, and the transmission cooler is also not stopped up. Good Luck

sounds like you have lost over drive. this means your transmission is begining to fail. next you will lose 3rd,or drive. when this happens it will only go to second gear. head strait fo a shop. only a matter of time for a rebuild. no quick fix. sorry,good luck.

This should help you.

To replace the headlight on a 1993 Tracer you must turn the black plastic retainer ring counter clockwise and then pull back gently. The ring and bulb should then slide out toward the engine.
Carefully grab the sides of the plug and pull the bulb out.
When replacing the bulb make sure not to touch the glass part or it will cause the bulb to burn out sooner. Place the black ring back over the bulb with the open end towards the glass part of the bulb. Fit the wiring onto the back of the bulb and insert the bulb back into the reflector. The black plastic ring has notches that fit over protrusions. Turn the black ring clockwise and your done. Test the headlight. Happy Driving