2001 Ford Focus Engine stalling in park and neutral

SAGE5888

MEMBER
2001 FORD FOCUS
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
51,000 MILES

Hi everyone,

Recently my focus has been acting a little funny. Earlier this week the engine started to stall out whenever the car has been in park or neutral. What happens is that whenever the car is idling the rpms drop so low that the engine just stalls. Even when I am driving and I go to neutral it stalls too. There is no check engine light on either.

I just replaced my spark plugs (not the wires though, they are ok) and changed the oil and filter but it didn't help.

I also recently had my mass air flow sensor replaced about 2 weeks ago so my initial thought is an air flow issue however I can not find any holes in or tears in the tubes. There doesn't seem to be any issue with air filter or boot either.

So I thought that maybe it could be an issue with the idle speed control valve or a faulty sensor. I'm thinking about bringing it in to napa or advanced so they can use a scan tool, possibly come up a code. I'm not sure if this will work, however, due to the fact there is no check engine light on (which is in perfect working condition).

So basically I just wanted to know if anyone out there had a similar issue and how they dealt with it. Also if anyone had any advice.

Also I have a crappy cold air intake that the previous owner bought.

1 Reply

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Clean out the IACV

Here's how to clean the IAC valve:

Disconnect the air intake ductwork from the throttle body.

Start the engine, then increase and hold the idle speed to 1,000 to 1,500 rpm.

Spray the throttle cleaner or engine cleaner into the throat of the throttle body, aiming for the idle air bypass port (usually located on the side or top of the throttle body opening). Give this area a good dose of cleaner (about 10 second's worth).

Turn the engine off to allow the cleaner to soak into the IAC passageway.

Wait about three minutes.

Restart the engine, rev and hold at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm, and repeat the cleaning process again.

Turn the engine off again, and reattach the air intake ductwork to the throttle body.

Start the engine and rev and hold to 1,500 to 2,000 rpm until no white smoke is coming out of the exhaust pipe.

If this fails to make any difference, you can remove the IAC valve from the throttle body and spray cleaner directly on the tip of the valve and/or into the ports in the throttle body. Let the cleaner soak awhile, repeat as needed, then reinstall the IAC valve, start the engine and run it at 1,500 to 2,000 rpm as before until no white smoke is seen in the exahust.

If the idle speed still surges after this, the IAC valve is defective and needs to be replaced.