Engine stalls at a stop light?

Tiny
JILL CRAMSEY-ASHCRAFT
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Car runs at night and early morning, no evident problem (I work graveyard, gets me to work and home). After 10:00 am, or so, when it is hot, it will not go more than a block or two. It starts bogging out, missing, will not idle, shuts off. After five to ten minutes, it will start again, and go If I rev it and ride the brake.
Wednesday, September 19th, 2018 AT 1:23 PM

26 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I am Danny.

Quick question first. Is the Check Engine Light on? A code might be stored for in your cars Computer. Having the code checked is a great way to star diagnosis of your car's problem. If you do not have access to a code reader/scanner your local auto part stores (Autozone, Pep Boys, O'Reilly's) will check for free. If you get back to us with the code number(s) we will be happy to help. I have attached a tutorial showing what is involved with checking codes. Hope this helps and feel free to ask any questions. Thanks for using 2CarPros.
Danny-

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing
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Wednesday, September 19th, 2018 AT 3:53 PM
Tiny
JILL CRAMSEY-ASHCRAFT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The check engine light was on, for about eighteen months due to the catalytic converters. I just had them replaced yesterday and the light is still out.
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Thursday, September 20th, 2018 AT 11:49 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

So is the car running better or is there still a problem? Let me know. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-
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Thursday, September 20th, 2018 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
JILL CRAMSEY-ASHCRAFT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The "only runs when it is cool outside" is still happening. Stalled out on me on the way home from replacing the catalytic converters. I do not understand why nobody (I even called a Ford dealership and talked to a "service adviser") can give me a hint what this could be. I keep getting told that they could be sued.
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Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Have you tested the fuel pressure? I have attached a tutorial showing what is involved. The pump might be weak and causing your truck to stall out/run erratic. Your local auto parts stores will have a tool loaner program to rent you a fuel pressure tester. It will attach to the Schrader valve and show the results on a gauge. Your vehicle should have 30-45 P.S. I with the key on engine off. Hope this helps and thanks again for using 2CarPros.
Danny-

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 2:58 PM
Tiny
JILL CRAMSEY-ASHCRAFT
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Looking at the related subjects on your page, I am sure I have found my answer, the crankshaft sensor fixed it, thank you.
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Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 6:05 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Good to hear, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Danny-
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Friday, September 21st, 2018 AT 10:07 PM
Tiny
TANNA AND BUCK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 103,103 MILES
Wont idle
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
First, is the MIL(check engine) light on? And if not, check the IAC(idle air control, it's bolted to the side of the throttlebody.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Ford_IAC_Wgasket_1.jpg

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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LKISTLER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD EXPLORER
Engine Mechanical problem
1998 Ford Explorer 6 cyl

We have to push the gas pedal to the floor to get it to start, and we have to keep foot on the pedal reving it up a bit to keep it running. When you let off the pedal it will die.

Any ideas what's wrong?
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Can you check for codes? Some of the national brand autostores will check po codes for free.

Usually if the vehicle will run off idle but not idle, meaning throttle closed, I check the idle air system. If there are any codes, it might point you in the right direction.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KNUCK01
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
My 1998 ford explorer trys 2 die out when I put it n reverse I have replaced the fuel vapor mangement valve hose, wat should I do now
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Make sure the fuel pressure is within spec. check for vacuum leaks. Check idle air control valve. This guide will help us find the problem

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOSHMCGEE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 177 MILES
1998 ford explorer ran great after starting up and putting in reverse during going back when about to stop to put in overdrive the truck motor starts to die and turn off cranks right back up with no more issue only in reverse the first time after it sits overnight are long periods of time just had a tune up and put injection cleaner in. Ran all the gas low and refueled but wasnt bad gas
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
I don't know if reverse has anything to do with it. If you put it in drive and move the same amount and shift to reverse will it stall? Has the check engine light come on?
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLEEVR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 139,000 MILES
About a month ago my daughters truck froze because of the cold. It took two days to get it started because she had barely any gas in it! While pulling it into the gas station the car died out. It would not even idle unless I kept my foot on the gas. I sat for an hour and the car finally stayed started long enough to make it home. The next day it just started to die out again. Since then I was told to change the spark plugs. Which I did. It ran good for a day. Now the car will idle fine, but when you put it in gear it just dies out.
(side note). The car had its check engine light on for the past two years. It has been to ford and another machanic and neither could find the cause of the light being on. Her OD off light pops on also (another thing ford and another machanic could not figure out!) Help!
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
As far as the engine dieing, I need to know if when you put it in gear, does it learch forward then die? Also, have you checked fuel pump pressure? There could have been damage to the pump in the cold temps with such low fuel in the tank.

Here is a how to for checking fuel pressure. NOTE: You will need a fuel pressure gauge. Many parts stores will lend or rent them. Also, if the pressure is low at the fuel rail, check if before the fuel filter. You could also have a plugged fuel filter.

Let me know what you find.

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_check_fuel_pressure.htm

Joe
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLEEVR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes the truck lurches forward then dies.
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-1
Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHAWPK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD EXPLORER
  • 169,000 MILES
My 98 Explorer will stall when I try to shift it into drive or reverse? It only does this when it is cooled down (like when it's sitting over night). When we start it - it idles well and always fires right up, but we have wait till it is warmed up before we try moving it, or it wont stay running. We cleaned the intake, MAF, and put a new motorcraft IAC, on it. No change. It drives and shifts very well. No problems with it dieing in motion or at stop lights. Has no codes. The OD light doesn't flash or act different in any way if we turn it on it's on if we shut it off its off. Any thoughts racking our brain here. Thanks
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:56 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Suspect ECT in intake left of throttle body. With OHM meter and engine cold measure across terminals should read 40K ohms or higher then as engine warms resistence should drop
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:56 PM (Merged)

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