1999 Ford Taurus Stalling, difficulty starting, poor idle

Tiny
LPATE711
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 154,000 MILES
My '99 ford taurus has been having several problems lately. The car does not want to start, and when it does, I am forced to keep putting gas into it in order to keep it from stalling. When I shift between reverse and drive, the call stalls out. It also stalls while at stop lights or intersections. It does not want to idle more than 300 rpm and when I accelerate, it can jump up to 5000 rpm before I even hit 35 mph. It has a little more than 154,000 miles on it. I just put half a bottle of oil in to insure that the oil level was proper. I have seen this problem in the past during the winter. It is still warm where I am, and I do not think the car is cold. Any thoughts?
Friday, October 1st, 2010 AT 11:21 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,173 POSTS
It sounds like a bad idle air control valve. Has the check engine light come on? Also, have you checked for vacuum leaks?

As far as the RPM's, isn't the trans shifting?
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 12:21 AM
Tiny
LPATE711
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The check engine light has come on. It came on yesterday and the oil light came on today, but then went away. I'm not sure about the transmission. I was told by a mechanic that the 99 ford taurus has a poor line of transmissions. Sometimes when it runs at a very low rpm, it will suddenly jump to extremely high rpms and the car will suddenly jolt forward.
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 12:25 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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The check engine is going to help. What I need you to do is take the vehicle to a nationally recognized parts store and have them scan the computer for trouble codes. Most will do it for free. Let me know what code they find. I feel it has something to do with the idle air control valve, but I can't be 100% sure without a code.

Joe
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Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 AT 2:31 PM
Tiny
LPATE711
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Thanks Joe. I took it into Firestone today and they should have a diagnosis for it tomorrow. I will keep you informed.
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Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 AT 4:14 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Let me know what they say. Don't jump into anything until I hear the problem. Ask them to tell you what trouble codes they pull. I just finished dealing with a man that was told he needed a new engine when all he needed was a 20 dollar sensor. That really is upsetting to me.

Joe
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Sunday, October 3rd, 2010 AT 9:46 PM
Tiny
LPATE711
  • MEMBER
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Well, they told me that my idle control valve was very dirty and sticking. He also suggested that I have a new air filter put in as well as have my fuel injection system cleaned. Finally he said that my car needed to have a fluids check. I think that sounds somewhat reasonable.
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Monday, October 4th, 2010 AT 8:08 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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That doesn't sound out of line.
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Monday, October 4th, 2010 AT 9:55 AM

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