Cold engine idle

JPARSLEY

MEMBER
2003 FORD ESCAPE
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
105,000 MILES

Enter your question.I have a 2003 Ford Escape and there is an idleing problem. Problem started suddenly. When the engine is cold, it will die when throttle is not depressed. One has to keep the rpm's up untill the engine is warmed up. After warmup, everything is fine. I hate to use the shotgun method on fixing problem because of replacing good parts. Can you stear me in the right direction.
Thanks
James

4 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Clean the idle air control valve and mass air flow sensor-

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Friday, April 22nd, 2011 AT 5:21 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

Have the same rig. Rather Wifey does!

Here's where it is and what it looks like. On and Off

Her's has a "O" ring style gasket. It's not an "O", so I did not use the traditional one, that came with the new IAC

Very EZ to clean or replace. I cleaned it 1st, had improvement, replaced it anyway, to insure it would go another 100,000 Miles!

Whatever you do, DON'T GET STUCK AND TRY TO REPEATEDLY "FORWARD--REVERSE" IT OUT! Mr. Tranny can't take it! Her Reverse got destroyed (of course, fault was all on me!) I found a Very Reasonable/ Reputable shop to rebuild it---$1500, all others, a lot more!

The Medic

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Friday, April 22nd, 2011 AT 10:09 PM

JPARSLEY

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for your help. I cleaned the IAC valve and now the car runs normal again. If it messes up again, I'll replace it. Again thanks and have a blessed day.

James Parsley

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Sunday, April 24th, 2011 AT 3:00 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

Just checking back on you,

Hope you are good to go now,

I always justify replacing stuff (trial and error), by saying, This part has worked a billion miles (it may be worn and tired)--I consider it preventative maintenance or now, I have a spare part, if it did not solve the problem!

Glad you showed up!

Maybe you won't need us anytime soon.

The Medic

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Sunday, May 15th, 2011 AT 5:36 AM