Will not stay running, vacuum line diagram needed

Tiny
CITIZENSPARK
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
Can't figure out correct way to read the vacuum diagrams. I know for sure that the car will shut off upon starting unless you keep a heavy foot on the gas. If not, it shuts down as quickly as it started up. Also, although it ends the same way, it does run a little better when the MAF sensor is unplugged (yes, will be replacing).

My question is, what am I missing when checking these vacuum lines? I struggle with not having any braking strength, pretty much. You have up pretty much stomp your foot as hard as you can from way back to even make sure you can stop at all. And if you take your foot off the gas at all, or don't do the "red light= neutral and gas pedal maneuver", it's done.

Someone mentioned checking out the PCV valve. I just want to be and to start the car without having to keep a steady flow on the gas just to keep it running in park or drive. And to be able to use my brakes as needed without feeling like I'm trying to put my foot through the floorboard.

Any thoughts or opinions on the vacuum lines, non-existent brakes, immediate cuts off at start and in drive and neutral, and what about the PCV valve?

Thanks for all of your help!
Monday, October 25th, 2021 AT 10:40 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
To start we need to use this guide to test for a vacuum leak and not worry about the connection points until we confirm this is a vacuum leak:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

This does sound like a vacuum issue, but it could also be a MAP sensor as you have found if it runs better when it is unplugged. However, if it still stalls then we do have more air coming in as unplugging the sensor just causes the PCM to use a default setting.

So, if it is still stalling then we need to find where this air is coming from.

This could also be an IAC issue so take a look at this guide and I would suggest removing it and cleaning it at the least:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-idle-speed-control-motor-iac

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/idle-air-control-valve-service

Take a look at the info below for the IAC as well.

Let us know what you find with this. Thanks
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Tuesday, October 26th, 2021 AT 4:32 PM

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