When put in reverse it dies and takes a minute to start back up?

Tiny
CANDISIPES
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC
  • 4.0L
  • V6
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 223,000 MILES
When put in reverse it dies and takes a minute to start back up unless u have your foot on the gas. It will die a second time but won't start back up right off. No catalytic converter I'm readiness reading oxygen, catalystic, egr, evap, are all reading incomplete
Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023 AT 4:05 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,940 POSTS
Does is stall in drive as well? If not, I would look at the air intake tube to see if there is a tear or it is loose which will cause the MAF sensor to lose its readings. If it stalls in both reverse and drive please follow this guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/stall-at-idle

Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023 AT 6:19 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

Did you recently disconnect the battery or clear diagnostic trouble codes? Either of those would cause them to be incomplete.

As far as the stalling, does it do the same thing if you place it in drive? Also, when it finally restarts, do you notice gray or black smoke from the exhaust?

Let me know those things. The vehicle has an idle air control valve that may be failing or the airway to the throttle body may be plugged.

Take a look through this link. It gives a better description of the IAC.

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

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023 AT 6:19 PM
Tiny
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Yes, I put a new battery in. And yes it does do the same in drive and no gray or black smoke from the exhaust.
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023 AT 9:45 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

First, I'm sorry for so many questions. Not being there makes it a little difficult for me, so I have to ask. Hope you understand.

When you shift to reverse or drive, does the engine just stall or does the vehicle feel like it lurches before stalling? In other words, if your foot was off the brake, the vehicle would move.

Also, before placing it in a gear, does it run smoothly or does the engine have a rough idle?

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, March 23rd, 2023 AT 4:29 PM
Tiny
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It's okay. I appreciate the help. When you shift it just stalls or shuts off or sometimes it will idle down real low but if u hit the gas and brake, it keeps it running but idles a little higher. It does the same thing in drive sometimes. And at first it wasn't running smoothly but the last couple days I went to start it, it seems to be idling better but it's still off. So needless to say, yes idling kind of rough.
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Friday, March 24th, 2023 AT 7:27 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

It sounds like you have either an engine vacuum leak or the idle air control valve (IAC) is failing or needs to be cleaned.

Let's start with checking for an engine vacuum leak.

Here is a link that explains how to do it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

If that doesn't prove helpful, the next thing I would recommend is to remove the idle air control valve and service it.

The idle air control valve is located on the throttle body. I attached a pic below to help you locate it.

Additionally, here is a link that explains how to service one:

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

Let me know what you find or if you have questions. Also, let me know if I can help in any way.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Friday, March 24th, 2023 AT 10:13 PM
Tiny
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There is a small hose that's connected to the air filter that is cracked, could that be the problem?
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Saturday, March 25th, 2023 AT 2:01 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

If it leaks, yes, it will allow unmetered air to enter the engine. That can cause a rough idle and stalling.

I can't tell for sure what the hose is going to. Is that the intake manifold?

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, March 25th, 2023 AT 9:06 PM

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