Will not Idle when it warms up

Tiny
GEOVONIE EVANS
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 FORD MUSTANG
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 140,000 MILES
Hello, I have been following your channel for a while now on YouTube and you have helped me through a lot of problems with my car. Now I have a problem that I cannot for the life of me figure out and I need some advice. I drive the car listed above. My car will start just fine and drive pretty well but once it gets warmed up, driving for like ten or fifteen minutes, the engine shuts off when I stop or when I take my foot off the gas when it tries to idle. It will start back up but I can tell it does not want to. I do have a misfire problem that I have not been able to find a fix for, but I have had that problem for about a year now and never affected my idle. Everything on the car is all stock/factory. The only major thing I have done was change the head gaskets when I got it a year ago along with all the appropriate gaskets and bolts. So far I have tried cleaning the throttle body with throttle body cleaner, I cleaned the MAF sensor with MAF cleaner. I put a new battery post on my positive because it was corroded, and I put fuel system cleaner in the tank. None of that has worked. If you have any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated.

Your fan,
Travone Evans
Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 3:13 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
I would run a fuel pressure check on it. First do it when it is cold, than again when it is acting up. Here is a general how-to guide: https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

You can rent a fuel pressure gauge from AutoZone and Advance Auto with a deposit. Or you can buy one to keep on Amazon for a decent price (I think around $40.00 for a basic one).

With the key on and engine off, you should get between 35 and 70 psi. I am not sure why the range is so large, but it is what Ford calls for. I would hope it was closer to 70 than 35, personally. With the engine idling, it should be between 27 and 37 psi. Any less than that indicates a problem, most likely a bad fuel pump, but try replacing the filter first.

I am including two images that detail how to release the fuel pressure before starting the test. This is so you do not get sprayed with gas and get it all over the place.

Do that and let us know what you come up with.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 5:09 AM
Tiny
GEOVONIE EVANS
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Thank you so much. I am going to give that a try this weekend and let you know what happens.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 6:42 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Also, make sure you are getting sparks and have the trouble codes scanned. There could be new ones included in with the misfire codes.
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 7:29 AM
Tiny
RENEE L
  • ADMIN
  • 1,260 POSTS
Hello GEOVONIE EVANS,

Thank you so much for following our YouTube channel.
I am sending you a link that if you decide to conduct the scan yourself it will be a great help to you. The link features an article with written step by step instructions and pictures explaining how to do the scan yourself. Also, I have included a link to our YouTube channel with a how to video on code scanning.

This is applicable even if your check engine light is not on.

Most scanners are inexpensive to purchase, you can purchase one online from sites like Amazon.com

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

https://youtu.be/YV3TRZwer8k

Once you have the code number(s) please get back to us so that we can further assist you. We are always happy to help.

Thank you for visiting 2CarPros.com.

Kindest regards,

Renee
Admin
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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 11:10 AM
Tiny
GEOVONIE EVANS
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Okay, I went and got the codes this morning.
P0304
P2197
P0305
P0300
P0205
P0174
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Friday, February 2nd, 2018 AT 10:12 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
P0300 is a random misfire code.
P0304 is a misfire on cylinder four.
P0305 is a misfire on cylinder five.
P0205 is some sort of issue with cylinder five's ***fuel injector***.
P0174 is saying the system is too lean on Bank 2 (the passenger side of the engine).
P2197 is a Heated o2 sensor issue (bank 2, sensor 1) - likely causes are a shorted wire to the sensor, a shorted sensor, ***leaking/contaminated fuel injectors***.

The p0205 can cause the engine to run with reduced power, and even keep it from starting. Being that basically every one of those codes can be caused by fuel injector problems, I would say that is where you need to start.

First off, I would look at the electrical connections. Check the connectors for corrosion, wetness, and other oddities. Then move down the wires as far as you can to look for bare spots and loose connections. Go ahead and check to see if there are any problems with any of the injectors, and not just cylinder number five.

Cylinders one, three, and five are on the driver's side, with cylinder one being the closes to the front of the car. Cylinder three is the next, and five is the closest to the back. Cylinders two, four, and six are set up in the same manner.

Let me know if you need clarification. I am kind of half asleep right now, but wanted to make sure to get back to you today. Good luck and let us know what you find!
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Friday, February 2nd, 2018 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
GEOVONIE EVANS
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Ok so I did the fuel pressure check and it was at 30. I changed my fuel filter and tested it again and it leveled out at 52. Also I found out one of my fuel injector connections was dirty and stopping it from plugging all the way in for cylinder 4. I cleaned it off and plugged it back in and it seems to have stopped all the misfires and fixed the stalling problem. I drove around a bit and I can feel the difference with my power being back when I press the gas. The check engine light came back on but its not flashing like it was during the misfires. Im going to get the codes read again and see what shows up but thank you so much for your help.
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Sunday, February 4th, 2018 AT 12:02 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Hey it's great to read that your car is doing better! Definitely get back here with the code(s) and we'll work it out.
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Sunday, February 4th, 2018 AT 4:16 AM

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