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Car shuts off sometimes after putting it in drive

Tiny
HAP
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,000 MILES
Started it no problem and let it warm up for 45 seconds, then put it into reverse for 6 feet, then shifted to neutral and then drive, and then it shut off. So I started it up right away again and drove off. I went 5 miles, turned it off and let it sit for 3 minutes. I started it again and put it in reverse and then park and shut it off for 3 minutes. Then it started up right away with no problem. I then drive it 2 miles and let it sit for 10 minutes. I started it up again, put it in drive and it shut off. What is that?

Does not smell bad. Just seems like lost all battery power at once, but restarts okay.
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Thursday, July 25th, 2019 AT 8:23 AM

47 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning.

There is an idle ir control on top of the motor that was a very common failure for this exact issue. I attached pictures and procedure for you to view. It is a very easy repair.

Roy

Procedure.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.

NOTE: When the battery has been disconnected or reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to relearn the strategy.

2. Disconnect the engine control sensor wiring from the Idle Air Control (IAC) valve at the IAC valve electrical connector.
3. Remove the two IAC valve retaining bolts.
4. Remove the IAC valve and gasket.

INSTALLATION
1. Clean IAC valve gasket mating surfaces.

NOTE: If scraping is necessary, be careful not to damage IAC valve gasket surface or drop material into intake manifold or throttle body (depending upon application).

2. Follow removal procedure in reverse order.
3. Tighten the IAC valve retaining bolts to 8-12 Nm (71-106 lb-in).
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Thursday, July 25th, 2019 AT 8:45 AM
Tiny
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  • 37 POSTS
Thank you very much. Did you ever have a Ford Taurus that gave you the same problems as mine is giving me?
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Thursday, July 25th, 2019 AT 8:51 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Yes, I had 3 Windstar's and have repaired hundreds of them for this exact issue.

You are welcome.

Roy
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Thursday, July 25th, 2019 AT 8:55 AM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 37 POSTS
Too bad you didn’t live here. I don’t feel confident enough trying to do that myself even as easy as it may be for you to do. I will take it to the local mechanic. It shouldn’t take more than a half an hour to fix, right?
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Thursday, July 25th, 2019 AT 8:59 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Yes, that is exactly what it pays. 2 bolts and an electrical connection and off it comes. The new one just bolts up and you go.

Roy
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Thursday, July 25th, 2019 AT 9:05 AM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 37 POSTS
That's great. If you don't mind, I'll show mechanic what you said.
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Thursday, July 25th, 2019 AT 9:09 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Not a problem at all.

Roy
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Thursday, July 25th, 2019 AT 9:15 AM
Tiny
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  • 37 POSTS
Oh yes. Why does it just do it sometimes? I don't need any new parts do I?
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Thursday, July 25th, 2019 AT 9:18 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
It sticks.

Yes, you need to replace the idle air control valve. You can get it at any parts store or go to rockauto. Com and they have it as well.

Roy
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Thursday, July 25th, 2019 AT 9:22 AM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 37 POSTS
Where are you? I'm in Alberta, Canada here so AutoValue should have it.
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Thursday, July 25th, 2019 AT 9:24 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
I am in Pa. On the east coast.

Rock auto attached.
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Thursday, July 25th, 2019 AT 9:30 AM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 37 POSTS
So if it happens again before I get it replaced, what do I to to get it going correctly again? Just re-start it like it did?
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Thursday, July 25th, 2019 AT 10:24 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Yep, just start it back up and continue.

Roy
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Thursday, July 25th, 2019 AT 10:53 AM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 37 POSTS
I picked up a new IAC valve (gasket included), too it to a mechanic. It took them 10 minutes to change it the gasket and didn't charge me a dime.
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Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 9:47 AM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 37 POSTS
But I realty appreciate your help as I had absolutely no idea what was wrong.
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Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 9:48 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
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Monday, July 29th, 2019 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 37 POSTS
I was hoping the IAC valve (now replaced) was the problem. But just today when I put it in drive, it quit again. I put in in drive and it wouldn't start (not even a click), so I tried it again trying to pull the gear shift a little more to the left and it started, but kinda scary.. Just not knowing what would make it do that. Starter? I do not know. Any ideas? Thank you much.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 3:01 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Do you mean the engine will not crank when you try to start the car?

Roy
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 3:09 PM
Tiny
HAP
  • MEMBER
  • 37 POSTS
Yes, that is correct. Just happened once, but kinda scary. So I tired it again, and it started after I pulled the gear shift a little to the left. It didn't seem to move much more to the left (already being in park) and I do not know if that made any difference, but it did start the second time I tried. Does that makes sense? Do I make sense?
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 4:04 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for the quick reply btw.
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Monday, August 12th, 2019 AT 4:04 PM

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