Engine will not idle - stalls?

Tiny
TOM HAMILTON
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 230,000 MILES
Will not idle after revving up. Idles at 650 rpm at start up fine. Replaced IAC and no change. Cleaned throttle body and sprayed all hoses with carburetor cleaner and could not find any leaks. Only will not return to idle after getting to 1500 rpm's.
Monday, November 27th, 2017 AT 1:15 PM

40 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,587 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you could have a EGR valve stuck open or the vacuum supply is not cutting off. Here is a guide so you can see what the valve is and a video on how to test it.

https://youtu.be/DqUCbbKdWf4

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-idles-too-high

(Here are the diagrams Below)

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 AT 2:00 PM
Tiny
TOM HAMILTON
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Turns out it was the TPS. It was at.88v and adjusted it to.98v and now running good.
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 AT 7:35 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,587 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, November 29th, 2017 AT 10:58 AM
Tiny
TOM HAMILTON
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I appreciate you trying to help me out. Thanks for your input.
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Wednesday, November 29th, 2017 AT 12:14 PM
Tiny
JEREMY LESH
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
  • 210,000 MILES
Have replaced the power rack and pinion and both air bags and the idle vacume control modual the truck will start but shuts right back down whats wrong
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Could be a security issue. Did you try another key?

Roy
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEREMY LESH
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Yes I did no change truck starts and shut right back down even when I feather the gas pedal
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
I would start with a fuel pressure check. It should be around 45 lbs.
You need to see if there is spark or not when it stalls. One of them is missing and needs to be tracked down for the failure.

Roy
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEREMY LESH
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Allready did that have full spark on all cylinders and fuel pressure is 45 lbs. Now what should I try
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
It sounds like a security issue. That can be verified by a shop with a scan tool. No easy at home fix here. Sorry, you will need help with this one.

Roy
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEREMY LESH
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Ok thanks
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OLDREDEXPLORER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
Help! My 1997 Explorer won't idle. It will start, barely, if you are giving it gas. As soon as you take your foot off the gas pedal it dies. Please help.
Thank you.
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

Is the Check Engine Light on?

If you cannot get the vehicle to your local Autozone to have codes pulled, they do it free. Take the Idle Air Control Valve (IAC) off and clean it out with some carb cleaner. It is mounted on the left side of the intake manifold.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/188069_97exploder6cylIAC_1.jpg

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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good luck

Roy
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OLDREDEXPLORER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for your quick reply. No the check engine light is not on. I had trouble starting it a couple of days ago, but got it going. Now it won't idle at all. Can a diagnostic be done even if the check engine light isn't on?
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEREMY LESH
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Have better luck if these car manufatcurers would build a car not a computer on wheels
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Yes, it may not show anything.

Look for vacuum leak(s).
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
I agree, they were simpler in the past.

Roy
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OLDREDEXPLORER
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
What do I have to do to check for a vacuum leak? Is this something I can do myself or does a mechanic have to do it? Our financial position isn't very good, so I would like to try to fix anything I can myself.
Thank you for your time, Danielle
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:59 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEREMY LESH
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thats for sure my dad was a mecanic for timkins for 39 years and I have worked on everything and this is the first time I have not been able to fix and vehicle
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Friday, October 9th, 2020 AT 12:59 PM (Merged)

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