I started having trouble starting my car. The radio reset and so I figured it was the battery?

Tiny
NOLABELLE
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 FORD FOCUS
I have had the worst luck with my car this year. In March, I had a wheel bearing issue. I had that repaired, and at the same time I had a "100,000" mile tune-up. I don't know what all they did other than new spark plugs and transmission flush. It cost 750 bucks.

Around that time, my engine was making odd noises. I have an extended warranty, and so I pushed the issue because I am nearing that 100,000 mile mark. The ford dealership had my car for two months! There was some sort of issue with the tappets when rebuilding the thing, so they finally just decided to give me a whole new engine. I have no idea if it is really a new engine or if it is a refurbished one. I also have no idea what the original problem was, only that I got a new engine out of it.

After that, my car would make a rattling sound when I first put on the gas that was a brand new sound. The mechanic didn't seem to hear it, so I just ignored it. My check engine light also came on. The mechanic said that it was some air sensor, he maybe used the word solenoid. He said it was not necessary to be fixed immediately, so I left it alone. In the last 2 months or so, this noise has gotten louder. The car sounds rough in general, but I figure it is getting old and has loose parts (I live in a place with very bad roads).

Two days ago, I started having trouble starting my car. The radio reset, and so I figured it was the battery. I went to autozone, had it tested, and bought a new battery. That problem was solved, but less than 48 hours later, new issues.

Earlier today, the car starting revving and dropping while in idle. The longer I idle, the worse it is. Sometimes it is so bad that the whole car lurches and shakes. Then, it started stalling when I was driving. It never stalls when it idles, it stalls when I am going 30 miles an hour with no warning. It just shuts off. I am able to turn it back on immediately and keep going.

I took it to Ford, but they are treating it like a whole new issue and won't cover a car under warranty until the figure out what it is, etc. I am convinced that I have had some underlying issue the entire time that they are missing. Any ideas?
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Thursday, July 15th, 2010 AT 12:17 AM

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Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello,

The erratic idle can be due to a faulty idle air control valve (IAC).
A dirty IAC can affect the idle quality of the engine. Over time larger air particles get stuck on the inside of the valve and that can restrict air flow and that can affect the idle.
First try cleaning out the IAC. Many times just servicing the IAC can fix the idle issue.

The IAC is located on the side of the throttle body (see diagram below)

Here is couple of helpful guides:

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

The noise you are hearing might not be related to the idling issue. We will have to hear to noise to be able to determine what is the root cause of it.

I have attached diagrams for your reference.

Please let me know of any questions.
Thank you.
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Thursday, September 9th, 2021 AT 9:15 AM

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