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Car shuts off while driving

Tiny
DANIELKILBURN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 FORD FOCUS
  • 125,000 MILES
I have a 2004 Ford Focus SE. My car is running fine while driving it but, once you come to a stop it acts like its going to die. I changed the idle air control valve.

Had the alternator rebuilt about a month ago don't know it that had anything to do with it.
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Glad it's fixed. Let us know if you have questions in the future, and thanks for using 2carpros. Com.
Joe
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So at idle with the car in gear what does the battery voltage reading at the battery read?
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Let me add to this

First eliminate all vacuum or air leaks in the system. You may have a bad IAC ( idle air control) but try cleaning the throttle body first. Remove the intake snorkel, have someone hold the throttle wide open for you and scrub the back side of the throttle plate and surrounding bore with an old tooth brush and some carb cleaner. Be sure to spray some into the small holes next to the throttle plate. That should help stabilize the idle. If it still has a problem, replace the IAC.
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
It would be a lot easier to just check the voltage real quick then do all of wrenchtechs wonderful suggestions.
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
By all means check the alternator if you really feel it has anything to do with stalling at idle and running great the rest of the time.
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I have seen stranger things also make sure there isnt any codes in the computer then make sure the battery cables are clean and loose cables will cause stalling at stops have seen that more then once.
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IS_SWEET_CANDY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 FORD FOCUS
I have a ford focus an it wll start but wont stay running is it my fuel injector?
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Could be an ICM (idle control motor) get a scan and it should give you a fault code that will help identify the problem, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANIELLEKILBURN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thank you all I already cleaned the throttle body with carb cleaner and changed the IAC valve. I will check the cables though, I also checked the throttle position sensor with a new one but the problem was still there. I also checked the mass air flow sensor but it looked fine to me. When you turn the A/C compressor kicks on the IAC opens and lets it throttle up but when it kicks off it drags down and try's to quit. Didn't remember if I said that or not don't really know if that makes a difference or not.
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANIELLEKILBURN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
It doesn't have a battery gage. Just temp and fuel gage.
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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I was talking about using a multi meter to check the voltage. Do you have any codes?I would look for vacuum leaks also.
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANIELLEKILBURN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Oh ok I'm sorry where would I check that at? It's not throwing any codes I don't think the check engine light is not on. I just now cleaned the battery terminals really good and the hook ups. I drove it down the road and turned around when I came to a stop it started to die I noticed the battery light came on for just a sec and went off. I hadn't noticed that before though. Also where would I need to look for the vacuum leaks?
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Were the cables corroded?Or loose?You would check the voltage at the battery cables at the battery. You look for a vacuum leak on all the vacuum hoses intake gasket anywhere a vacuum source is. The battery light could have came on because the engine rpms were so low.
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANIELLEKILBURN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
No they didn't look to bad I cleaned them anyway. What should the battery read 12 volts? Also I heard that you can check the alternator by starting the car and removing one of the battery cables, is that right?
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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No you never take a battery cable off will its running or the key is on you can damage the computer and other circuits from voltage spikes. The battery buffers spikes etc. Turn on all accessories while at idle and see how what the voltage reads.
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANIELLEKILBURN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Ok I'll have to get a multimeter so it will probably tommorrow I'll message back the results thank you so much.
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANIELLEKILBURN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Sorry it took so long had some family issues. The voltage checked out fine, it's still doing all the same things. New issues though, now the car when your driving and it's starting to die. I try to shift to neutral the car revs up. Holds it then comes back down and try's to die. Plus the interior lights, dash lights, and the headlights are flickering. I don't have a clue what it could be any ideals. Also the car seems to die when stopped a little easier then before. Still no codes though!
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Have you made sure the battery cables are clean and tight on both ends of the cables?
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DANIELLEKILBURN
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Yes I cleaned each cable and posts. Didn't affect it at all.
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 2:46 PM (Merged)

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