Car starts and stall instantly, will not stay running?

JEFFREY SALVI

MEMBER
2006 FORD FREESTYLE
3.0L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
144,000 MILES

I have the vehicle listed above Freestyle. This issue started today, where the car turns over, starts and then instantly stalls. In hindsight the last few months it took longer to start than usual. Remote start would turn twice before it would run. There is no CEL and as far as my data stream all appears normal. I changed the mass air flow sensor just out of desperation, to cross something off the list. Currently I am leaning towards the throttle body but need a way to prove the problem. But I am nervous after reading about reteaching the throttle body. Any info encouraged. Thanks

10 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,702 POSTS

Hello Jeffery,

You are on the right track with the throttle body, that is the free place I would look, and it is not too bad of a service to perform. Here is a guide that will help you and I have left instructions in the images below on how to do the job on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

This guide may help as well because it could be a vacuum leak. Only do this test when the engine is cold:

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

There doesn't seem to be a throttle relearn so you should be okay, if it does start and stall feather the throttle until it relearns. Please let me know what happens.

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Tuesday, February 21st, 2023 AT 7:52 AM

JEFFREY SALVI

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I am going to pull the throttle body when I get home and inspect and clean it. I do have a smoke tester, but I don't know if you may agree the fact that it happened out of no where seems less likely of a vacuum leak. Also, the owner (my father-in-law) had some surging when stopped, I never experienced it, but I don't drive the car. I will update on what I find. Thanks

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Tuesday, February 21st, 2023 AT 12:15 PM

JEFFREY SALVI

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6 POSTS

So, I pulled the throttle body, and it was moderately dirty. I cleaned it very well and re-installed it. The symptoms got a little worse. The car doesn't seem to want to start even for a second, 50% of the time. I did notice some oily fluid coming out of the shaft for the butterfly. Not a lot but worth noting. I rechecked fuel pressure via scan tool, 59 PSI koeo, while starting drops hard to tell exactly to what because it doesn't run long enough, seems around 40 psi. Another point of info for you is this car is very poorly maintained. Hasn't needed much in the last 60,000 so it hasn't gotten much besides oil changes.

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Tuesday, February 21st, 2023 AT 3:27 PM

KEN L

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The fuel pressure seems to be okay, here are the specs.

Fuel Pressure
Key on, engine off (ab). 273 kPa (39.7 PSI)
Engine running (ab). 273 kPa (39.7 PSI)

If you hold your foot on the throttle slightly, does it seem to start up better? Also, when it does start do you seem to have good engine power?

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Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 AT 11:17 AM

JEFFREY SALVI

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6 POSTS

If I put my foot on the gas, it still stalls. Nothing will keep it running more than an initial catch. When you turn the key, it cranks three or four times and the engine catches (starter disengages) then it stalls. If I feather the gas pedal it still stalls. With the key on engine off, when I push the pedal down, I can hear the butterfly open and see it on the scan tool. When I release, I hear it close and see it drop to slightly open never to zero on the scan tool.
What is really boggling me is that it seems to have the three main essentials, but as soon as it starts something is gone instantly.

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Thursday, February 23rd, 2023 AT 12:15 PM

KEN L

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I am wondering if you have a clogged exhaust system or catalytic converter. Let's remove the primary oxygen sensors to see if it makes a difference. You want to have any power, but it should idle. Also, it might be a little noisy so be ready, here is the location of the sensors.

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Friday, February 24th, 2023 AT 10:57 AM

JEFFREY SALVI

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So new news, the car started today. I borrowed a Snap on scanner from a friend and when I went out to do some research the car started and idles normal. The friend that let me use the scanner suggested the theft system. This vehicle has an aftermarket remote start and alarm. Unfortunately, as for now it starts and runs as usual. I will check as often as I can over the next few days. Hopefully it stops working at some point so I can look deeper with the scanner. I am hesitant to drive it and have no disillusion that it is fixed.

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Saturday, February 25th, 2023 AT 11:13 AM

KEN L

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I would remove the aftermarket remote start and alarm, these cause problems such as you have described, remove the alarm and reconnect the wiring which should fix the problem.

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Monday, February 27th, 2023 AT 8:03 AM

JEFFREY SALVI

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That is the plan, once the issue rears its ugly head again. That way I can confirm that the alarm is the issue. It makes sense that the car did not get error codes, because theoretically there was no issue. Thank you for your help.

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Monday, February 27th, 2023 AT 6:25 PM

KEN L