Stalling while idle.

1998 MERCURY SABLE
121,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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IEATFACE
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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.
Nov 7, 2010 at 4:30 AM
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RASMATAZ
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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
Nov 8, 2010 at 4:32 AM
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PATATOKING68
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My car idles but stalls immediately when put into any gear.
Jan 23, 2019 at 4:43 PM (Merged)
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PATATOKING68
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I have no service engine soon light and was no warning of an issue. Bad time for no car.
Jan 23, 2019 at 4:43 PM (Merged)
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HMAC300
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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
Jan 23, 2019 at 4:43 PM (Merged)
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PHILPP62
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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?
Jan 23, 2019 at 4:43 PM (Merged)
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RASMATAZ
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[quote:2909456bde="philpp62"]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?[/quote:2909456bde]

Check the PCV and EGR system for a starter. meaning open it up and investigate/clean it-
Jan 23, 2019 at 4:43 PM (Merged)
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CBROWN4686
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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 !!!!
Jan 23, 2019 at 4:43 PM (Merged)
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HMAC300
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check fuel pressure with a gauge and scan for codes
Jan 23, 2019 at 4:43 PM (Merged)
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DARYLW1
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When the car is in drive and the idle is very high or low. And it feels like the car is going to stall.
Jan 23, 2019 at 4:43 PM (Merged)
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BMRFIXIT
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Check for a vacuum leaks
check PCV valve hose they usually collapse and cause a vacuum leak
Jan 23, 2019 at 4:43 PM (Merged)
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