1997 Mercury Sable starts then dies

150,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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XANDERR
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  • 1 POST
After car has been running for about 1/2 hour and is at normal operating temperature, the following problem occurs.
If I park and turn off motor, when I start it up again it dies. Specifically, it revs up to between 1500-2000 RPM, then steadily drops RPM until the motor dies after about 2-3 seconds.
Then, I have to wait until the engine cools off before it works properly.
Interestingly, if, during those 2 seconds when it’s running, I quickly throw it into gear and am able to start driving before it dies, it runs well. But that doesn’t always work.
Sep 17, 2010 at 5:15 AM
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RASMATAZ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 75,988 POSTS
Hi Xanderr, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

Clean out the idle air control valve and EGR valve, then clean the MAF sensor with an electronic cleaner CRC and also test the throttle position sensor-
Sep 17, 2010 at 6:59 AM
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LANIEPOO
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Xander,
This is the same problem I seem to be having. I would be very interested in to the resolution to this problem. was it the MAF? or the EGR? or the TPS?
Sep 26, 2010 at 2:29 AM
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RASMATAZ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 75,988 POSTS
MAF: Mass Airflow sensor, EGR: Exhaust Gas Recirculation, TPS: Throttle position sensor
Sep 26, 2010 at 9:32 AM
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