Car stalls

Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
It could be many things: (I assume the ignition switch and the IAC valve you replaced are working properly)

*Could be a fuel related problem (lean mixture); check:
- vacuum leak
- MAP sensor
- Throttle position sensor
- dirty injector
- dirty plugs etc

Chek also:
- faulty PCM

Also Ford has a bulletin for Focus with stalling problem during cold weather: it's something about the PCV valve.

There's something else you can do if you're patient enough:
sooner or later this intermittent problem is likely to turn into a daily problem, which should make it easier to diagnose at the shop.

It could also be that all you need is a tune up.
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LRBD
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Yes the stuff we replaced are working well. Today we will change the fuel filter. We had the vin # checked and this car was not involved in the fuel pump recall. I will take your advice and have all you mention checked as well. However wouldn't any of the things you mentioned show up on a computer? Nothing does. Thanks for your help
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RENAUDTN
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There are DTCs for the parts I mentioned indeed, but many problems in a car don't set a code.
Also, have you checked for 'general' codes only, or have you also checked for manufacturer specific codes?

Also, I forgot to mention to check the EGR valve.

If you suspect a fuel system issue, I would do a fuel pressure test, check for leaks and/or low pressure.

Let me know how it goes, it's always hard to diagnose a problem over the internet :)
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JESSRAYMOND1213
  • MEMBER
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  • 2000 FORD FOCUS
  • 180,000 MILES
I have a 2000 Ford Focus with around 180,000 miles on it. Since I got the car I've had small problems with it here and there, but the biggest and most frustrating problem is the condition in which my car runs. I know before I bought the car it had sat for some time (probably because the previous owners couldn't figure out why it ran so terribly) so I immediately had to replace the alternator. The car ran okay for a few months until I started noticing problems with what I thought to be the fuel filter. I had run the car low on gas one day and on my way to the gas station my gas light came on. As soon as the light illuminated my car died. After having this happen a few times, my car started running horribly. I live in Vermont where, obviously, I'm surrounded by hills and mountains. When trying to accelerate to get up hills the car began to buck and would hardly make it to the top. There have been many times where I've been going uphill and the car would slow to about 30 mph, inching up the road, and would then die. I finally replaced the fuel filter thinking that there was a possibility the fuel wasn't able to get through the filter and off to where it needed to go. Unfortunately, after replacing the filter, I noticed no positive change, actually the problem seems to progressively get worse. Now even when driving on the highway going at a decent speed, any time I try to accelerate (even on flat roads) it will rev high and start the same bucking. Just yesterday while on the highway with over a quarter tank of gas, it began to buck and eventually stalled. I tried to start the car and it would turn over but not start. Over and over and over again. It finally would start and as soon as I put it in drive and step on the gas, it would die again. I eventually got it (at a very slow crawl) to a gas station, put more gas in it to just about a half tank, and it drove. Not very well, but good enough to get me home. I don't know very much about cars, so I don't know if its a simple fix or something more extensive. Possibly the spark plugs or the MAF. Please help me!
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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The fuel pump may be failing, get the fuel pressure tested first, make sure that it is with in required specs.
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JESSRAYMOND1213
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I also forgot to mention that at one point the check engine light came on for a few days, then went away. Then yesterday while driving the light came back on but was flashing. I don't know if that bit of information would help diagnose the problem.
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
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Go get a scan and see what the codes are.
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JUSTIN COX
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  • 2000 FORD FOCUS
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 156,000 MILES
I was trying to park on a slight hill, and was giving the throttle a few taps and it started sputtering and then stalled. The battery light came on. It has a new battery, new alternator, and new plugs and wires. This is the second time in two days it has happened.
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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Do you mean the second time it stalled or the second time the battery light came on? For both you will want to check the cable connections at both ends real close. The throttle taps could be rocking the engine enough to make/break a bad connection causing it to stall.
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JUSTIN COX
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Thanks, ill check that. The battery light came on the second time
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
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Please let us know what you find ;)

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OOADUMBZOO
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  • 2000 FORD FOCUS
2000 Ford Focus 4 cyl Automatic 140000 miles

my 2000 ford focus keeps stalling. It only stalls when I stop. The check engine light is on and when I took it to advanced auto they ran the code and it comes up running to lean. So they suggested I get a new 02 sensor. So I replaced that and within a week, same thing. I did come to find out that there is two 02 sensors, but I took it to a dealer anyway and they confirmed that I needed a new 02 sensor(the one i've yet to replace) so I bought an o2 sensor and had it put it. They car ran great for about 3 weeks and now the same thing has happened again, more stalling and the same code. Help?
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Lean fuel condition could be caused by one of the following below:

1. Vacuum leaks
2. EGR and PCV valve.
3. Low fuel pressure.
4. Dirty fuel injectors.
5. Mass Air Flow Sensor.
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SNOBABY
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  • 2000 FORD FOCUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 104,267 MILES
I had the transmission rebuilt 3 months ago, ever since that my car idles rough off and on and has been stalling while driving not sure if it was caused by the new transmission, but when it stalls the car will restart and u can drive it for a while and it'll stall again, replaced the 02 sensor-fuel pump and filter has no air leaks and fairly new plugs and wires does need an oil change though gonna replace the coolant temperature sensor, but if that does not work then what could it be? It's a 2000 ford focus se 2.0 single cam has 104267 miles. Oh and you can let it idle for 3 hours and it'll stall as well.
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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It sounds like a problem with the crank sensor. Has the check engine light ever come on? Has it ever been replaced?
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-1
Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ELLE4783
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  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD FOCUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 161,200 MILES
My 2000 ford focus SE was just in the shop for a new fuel pump.A day after the car would start, it then went in the shop and I got the battery replaced. Now the car is stalling at lights and stop signs, but drives perfectly fine. Any ideas?
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Check for vacuum leaks. If the check engine light has come on, have the computer scanned. Most parts stores will do it for free. Also, check fuel pressure (I know the pump is new) but check it and make sure the pressure regulator is working properly.
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AWILLSON30
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  • 2000 FORD FOCUS
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
I have a 2000 Ford Focus SE. It stalls while I am driving (usually under 35 mph). Just before it stalls the tac bounces and the battery light flashes. To try to fix it we have replaced the fuel pump; fuel filter; and replaced all spark plugs and wires.
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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Check and test the idle air control valve, EGR valve and throttle position and mass airflow sensors
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOJO21
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  • 1 POST
  • 2000 FORD FOCUS
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 13,000 MILES
My car shakes and shuts off while driving and when I am at a complete stop. What can be the cause? When I turn the car on it is rattling and feels like it is going to die.
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Monday, February 11th, 2019 AT 6:59 PM (Merged)

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