Engine jerking

Cleaning this will cost you less than $10.00 to try. Replacement will be more.

Here, is what controls idle (idle air control-IAC)....it has a plunger in it that constantly moves, allowing itsy-bitsy amounts of air to bypass the closed throttle valve to mix with the fuel from the injectors

This was my experience with the wifey's '03 Ford Escape w/3.0L.

Our Escape would idle low, then it got to point it would die when you stopped.

Revving + holding brake was only way to keep it running.

No warning or service lights came on.

Sometimes while it is running and acting up, you can give the IAC a little "love tap" with a wrench or screwdriver. This is not a fix, just a test! If you notice a difference in the RPMs and it runs better, you may be more confident that you are probably dealing with the correct problem part! This "test" sometimes has no effect.

I took the IAC off and cleaned it, it seemed fine, but just because the engine had over 100,000 miles on it, I went ahead and replaced it (preventative maintenance). I figured it had been moving and wearing for a long time.

This was the wife's rig, so that was the big factor!----I take no chances---she'll whoop my butt!

this is a very simple thing to clean or replace.......no need to take it to the stealership!

The only difficult thing about it is not to drop the 2 screws you removed to take it off!

We're gonna use "throttle body cleaner" (from an auto parts store) and clean the IAC and the hole it came out of.

Here's a couple of guides from our "Repair Guides", top right of our pages.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-idle-speed-control-motor-iac

another

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/idle-air-control-valve-service

Keep us posted as you progress.

The Medic

These pics are of the wife's Ford Escape and IAC.

Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? That would be great. You can upload it here with your response.

This sounds like the engine is misfiring. I would start with a tune up which can solve your problems. This guide will help walk you through the repairs:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-tune-up-a-car-engine

Please run down this guide and report back.

Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.

Engine running rough or misfiring can be cause by the following:
1. Defective spark plug.
2. Inadequate spark/coil, defective spark plug wire.
3. Lack of compression
4. False air leakage.
5. Faulty fuel injectors.
6. Insufficient fuel pressure.
7. Contaminated fuel.
8. EGR valve that is leaking.
9. Oxygen sensors.

You have 50 psi fuel pressure which is low for that engine, you should have between 55-65 psi.

It sounds like a bad fuel pressure regulator. On the 3.0 it could be on the end of the fuel rail or inside the tank on the pump module. If it is on the fuel rail connect the pressure gauge and pull the vacuum line off If the pressure does not change or there is fuel leaking into the hose, the regulator is bad.
If it is not on the fuel rail it is on the pump. It is possible that you have the wrong pump. If you installed one without a regulator when it should have one you will get a low reading.

The only two items that control fuel pressure are the pump and the regulator. Unless you have a fuel line leak (would be a sizable leak spraying gas) or the pump power connections are bad nothing else there.

These days I count myself lucky when the parts are correct and working, get quite a few that are trash right out of the box.

Please let us know what you find so it will help others.

Best, Ken

Sounds like you should have it taken care of. Between low fuel pressure and some bad coils you have eliminated 99% of the available problems.
Post back once you run it a bit.