2000 Ford Focus zx3 (Zetec)
PRIMARY COMPLAINT
• The car slowly accelerates on its own while driving with no foot on the accelerator.
• The RPMs ramp up to approximately 4,000–5,000 RPM when the vehicle is moving and the transmission is put in neutral.
• The car idles normally while parked.
• The speedometer works.
• The vehicle does not have cruise control.
CHECKS AND REPAIRS ALREADY COMPLETED
• IAC (Idle Air Control) valve — replaced.
• TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) — replaced.
• Throttle body — cleaned.
• PCV valve — replaced.
• PCV hoses — replaced.
• Vacuum leaks — checked; no obvious leak found.
IMPORTANT PATTERN
The problem occurs while the car is moving, not while it is sitting parked and idling. The high-RPM condition is especially
noticeable when the clutch is depressed and the transmission is placed in neutral while coasting.
PRIMARY COMPLAINT
• The car slowly accelerates on its own while driving with no foot on the accelerator.
• The RPMs ramp up to approximately 4,000–5,000 RPM when the vehicle is moving and the transmission is put in neutral.
• The car idles normally while parked.
• The speedometer works.
• The vehicle does not have cruise control.
CHECKS AND REPAIRS ALREADY COMPLETED
• IAC (Idle Air Control) valve — replaced.
• TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) — replaced.
• Throttle body — cleaned.
• PCV valve — replaced.
• PCV hoses — replaced.
• Vacuum leaks — checked; no obvious leak found.
IMPORTANT PATTERN
The problem occurs while the car is moving, not while it is sitting parked and idling. The high-RPM condition is especially
noticeable when the clutch is depressed and the transmission is placed in neutral while coasting.
Aug 19, 2026 at 5:53 PM
