Stalling while idle.

Tiny
IEATFACE
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 121,000 MILES
Hello,
The car runs quiet well except when you're at a stop. Occasionally it will do a rough idle or it will go from a smooth idle to stalled. From keeping track it's mostly a smooth idle and then stalls out. I've noticed that sometimes the car tries to save itself and it will go from almost stalled to idling normal. Usually if I hit the gas (if it goes to a rough idle) all is well, and the car will be fine until another prolonged stop; around two minutes. The car will start right back up with NO hesitation. Once the car is above a few miles it's fine, even if it went from a rough idle to moving. Has no real problem accelerating whether it's on a flat street or going up a hill. I had them run a test at Auto Zone when my check engine light first came on and they said it was bad gas. I ran the car to almost empty and used fuel cleaner and have started using better quality gas. It improved a bit but the car still stalls.
Sunday, November 7th, 2010 AT 4:30 AM

10 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If it does it after cruising over 50 mph, it could be the EGR valve sticking open a little bit. This has also bee attributed to needing a throttle body service due to coking, or the IAC (Idle Air Control) valve being dirty or sticky.

Check out the guides below, they will help figure this out

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service
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Monday, November 8th, 2010 AT 4:32 AM
Tiny
PATATOKING68
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 MERCURY SABLE
  • 210,000 MILES
My car idles but stalls immediately when put into any gear.
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 AT 4:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PATATOKING68
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have no service engine soon light and was no warning of an issue. Bad time for no car.
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 AT 4:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Try cleaning throttle plate on both sides and IAC hole with choke cleaner if it continues check fuel pressure with a gauge auto parts rent it. See link.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 AT 4:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PHILPP62
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 MERCURY SABLE
I have a 1998 Mercury Sable 6 cylinder 173000. It just started yesterday wanting to stall when I put it in reverse and it ran real rough in reverse. Today it progressed to when I put it in drive doing the same thing. Once you are at speed its fine untill you take your foot off the gas then it wants to stall. Any suggestions?
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 AT 4:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the PCV and EGR system for a starter. Meaning open it up and investigate/clean it-
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 AT 4:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CBROWN4686
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 MERCURY SABLE
Car starts up perfectly fine, but when put into drive gear it shuts off. I don't know what this could be. I've tried putting it in reverse and it works fine most of the time. Drive gear cuts the car completely off. Please help !
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 AT 4:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check fuel pressure with a gauge and scan for codes
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 AT 4:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DARYLW1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 280,000 MILES
When the car is in drive and the idle is very high or low. And it feels like the car is going to stall.
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 AT 4:43 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check for a vacuum leaks
check PCV valve hose they usually collapse and cause a vacuum leak
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019 AT 4:43 PM (Merged)

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