try checking the vaccum hose sometimes it pops off and it makes these signs. Hesitation and making the throttle response a straight turn. Just a hint thats what my problem was.

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2000 XLT 5 SPD
Big Tires No Problems!
MODS: Flowmaster 40 series dual exhaust, xennon projectors, bull bar, blacked out front end and tail lights.

This. My '96 Ranger would jerk hard while accelrating in 2nd/3rd gear and threw a Camshaft Sensor failure code with a CEL, but turns out one of the vaccum hoses on the top of the engine came undone. I slipped the hose back in and now it runs perfectly.

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'96 Ranger XL 2.3L 5spd 205k miles (Winter Beater)
'07 Accord SE 2.4L 5spd 100k miles (Daily Driver)

Thanks fellas! I going to have a buddy comeover this weekend and we are going to try to find out what is happening. I wouldn't think the low compression is the problem if it is even low to begin with. We will check it out. I'll keep you posted on the results.