Ford Repair: 1998 Windstar bucking and backfiring, windstar, wet

Question
My 1998 Ford Windstar (174k miles) has recently started bucking/jumping when I accelerate and sometimes when I am coming to a stop.  Also from 55-60 mph it sometimes hesitates and has a sound like popcorn popping.  Any ideas what these symptoms mean?

Answer
Tina,

Remove the R/S front interior kick panel and see if the carpet matting is wet under the front carpet area after a good rain. A water leak intrusion in the bulk head areas can cause a condition such as this by entering into an electronic module. The water would enter on the right side front kick panel area by your glove box getting the control module wet. Let me know what you find with the floor matting.

Thanks,
Drew Young
Rainchaser
Auto-Water-Leaks.com