1998 Ford Windstar Fluctuating RPM

1998 FORD WINDSTAR
180,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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ZACK1976
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hello there and many thanks in advance for answering my q.

The RPM in my 1998 windstar keeps fluctuating between 1200 and 600. Also sometimes the RPM abruptly starts increasing till it reaches 2800, which causes the transmission to kick very hard when switching from Neutral to Drive. What is causing this unstability in it? Thank you.
Dec 28, 2008 at 7:58 AM
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SCHRIMPIEMAN
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 166 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
My first guess would be the Idle Air Control Valve.
It is on top of the throttle body, should be easily accessible. Take it off, clean out inside with brake cleaner or some kind of solvent to remove as much soot as possible from inside. Re install. Sometimes cleaning it works, sometimes you need to purchase a new unit.
If cleaning it seems to make an improvement, but if the problem reappears after a few days/weeks/months, buy a new one.
Feb 10, 2009 at 7:40 PM
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