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Engine stalling at idle?

Tiny
JCASSARD
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Once warmed up, this car stalls at every stop, Starts and dies immediately, drives fine, but dies if you take your foot off the gas.
Tuesday, April 14th, 2015 AT 5:00 PM

46 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Hi.
A couple things can cause this type of problem. Can you tell me if the check engine light is staying on?

These guides can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Let me know about the light, but to be honest, it is usually one of two things, a vacuum leak or a bad idle air control valve (IAC). The IAC, located on the throttle body, is responsible for maintaining the engine idle speed. This is one symptom of its failure.

Let me know about the light.
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Monday, July 16th, 2018 AT 4:38 PM
Tiny
JCASSARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No check engine light, ever.
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Monday, July 16th, 2018 AT 4:38 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
I suspect either the IAC is going bad or there is an engine vacuum leak.
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Monday, July 16th, 2018 AT 4:38 PM
Tiny
BOBCLARK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 FORD EXPLORER
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
My check engine light came on.

When I come to a stop sign, the rpm drops to 500 and then the engine wants to die.

Otherwise, the engine runs fine.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
It sounds like a bad throttle position sensor (TPS). If the check engine light is on, take the car to a nationally recognized parts store and have them scan the computer for codes. Most will do it for free, and then you will know for sure what is causing the problem.
Or if you would like to conduct the scan yourself here is a link to an article from this site that features written step by step instructions and pictures explaining how to do the scan yourself. Also, I have included a link to our YouTube channel with a how to video on code scanning.

This is applicable even if your check engine light is not on.

Most scanners are inexpensive to purchase, you can purchase one online from sites like Amazon.com

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

https://youtu.be/YV3TRZwer8k

Once you have the codes please get back to us with the code number(s) so that we can further assist you. We are always happy to help.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BNG777
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1995 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 17,000 MILES
Help. Our 1995 Explorer runs great, aside for the fact that it dies randomly. Normally when you let off the gas ( coasting to stop ) Other times after braking to turn, it will die ( steering locks ) Each time you are able to put it in neutral and it starts right up.
So far we have replaced EGR valve, it did not help much. Then the fuel filter, and just now the fuel pump, all to no avail.
Now it has started dieseling up and down, which it did not do before. Oh yeah we changed the vacuum hose as well.
Any ideas on what this could be?
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
It could be many things. Has the check engine light come on? As far as the idle going up and down, it sounds like a idle air control valve issue.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BNG777
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
OMG! You are Great!
We had to order this part, under $100 - took under 3 minutes to put on, and easy to get to.
Not only did it fix the problem, but also the check
engine light went off.
Its been two days, and it has not died once and we have driven the heck out of it.
Thank you so very much!
Trust me, we will recommend you to anyone, and will be back if we have any other problems!
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Great, I'm glad that you fixed it, and you are welcome. I'm glad to help.

Let us know if you have questions in the future.

Joe
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SUNFIRE 5657
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 179,000 MILES
Engine will start and die when below 0 unless you step on the accelerator but will idle once it warms up some at 90 degrees or hotter it will not idle unless you keep your foot on the accelerator all the time
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try cleaning the idle air control valve
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service then check coolant temp sensor for resistance.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AHLJR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1995 FORD EXPLORER
Engine Performance problem
1995 Ford Explorer V8 All Wheel Drive Automatic

I just replaced the fuel pump on my Explorer. Now the gas pedal seems stiff when I first press it, like it is stuck. My other problem is that when I slow down to make a turn it feels like it is going to stall.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
The pump isn't related to the gas pedal. As far as the engine idle when turning, has the check engine light come on? Have you checked for vacuum leaks? Have you double checked the fuel pressure incase the regulator is bad?
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AHLJR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for your response.
The check engine light was on before the fuel pump was replaced. The code was EGR related. I did not notice any vacuum leaks but will check again. No I have not checked the fuel pressure. Do you know what the reading should be?
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
I believe it should be between 35 and 45 psi. Since the check engine light came on, have you had the computer scanned?
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AHLJR
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I had the fuel pressure check and had it scanned too. The fuel pressure was ok and the only thing the scan showed was a bad O2 sensor. I already knew that though, the check engine light has been on for a while but I have not had this issue.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KRITHI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1994 FORD EXPLORER
94 Ford Explorer XLT - 147000, stalls when i'm driving or stop at a traffic light, replaced Ignition Switch and IAC (Idle Air Control Valve), do you think will that be enough to prevent stalling, I appreciate your replies.

Thnx
mark
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KRITHI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Changed IAC and Ignition Switch, but today morning it started fine but when I drove a mile for work rested it for 5 mins and restarted it dint, but then started again after 15 mins, do you think is it the problem with fuel pump?

Thnx,
mark
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Was anything done with the EGR? Also, are you aware the O2 sensor could be causing the engine to run this way?
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 1:32 PM (Merged)

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