I have an '03 Mustang with 3.8 v-6, automatic tranny, and has 110k miles. It runs great (we'll get into this in a sec), the engine is clean, oil is clean, etc...
I have only had it since this March. This past week, just out of nowhere, it started dying on me when I would come to a crawl in traffic or at a red light AND the throttle was sticking on me (will get to this in the next paragraph). I have had to keep it in neutral, foot on break, and keeping RPM's up to keep from dying. then on Thursday of last week (7-15-10) on my way home the "Service Engine" light comes one. My first thought was the Idle Air Control Valve. so I took it to Auto Zone, they put it on their machine and sure enough that is what the code was pulling. So, I purchased one and replaced it. There goes $109 +tax.
Then while driving it 80 or so miles to get the "Service Engine" light to go off (per Ford dealership) my throttle started sticking as if I had cruise control on. *Thinking..hmm very strange, but ok.. Then when I would try to pass someone it would NOT kick into OD and pass. It acted like it had no idea I had the pedal on the floor. The speed would just creep VERRRRRRRY slooooowly. The "Service Engine" light was still on and my next thought was "Throttle Position Sensor" (TPS). So, I took 'er to a different Auto Zone, they pulled the codes and sure enough, I was right again. The Idle Air Control showed to be in "memory" but not active. Now the TPS is showing to be the "active" code. So, I forked out the $25 and replaced that. this was this past Sunday (2 days ago). Took off battery cable for 5 min. Now, no more check engine light, it actually roars when I stomp on it...all seems to be great and I finally had it all fixed...well..
Now (as of today 7/20/10), my check engine light is still NOT ON and it runs GREAT. The problem now is SOMETIMES when I am at a crawl in traffic or at a stop light - she dies on me. It is acting like the Idle Air Control again??
About 2 weeks ago when it really started to act funny and run shabby I replaced all 6 plugs with the itanium core (sp?) which were recommened over the copper-core Motorcraft. Since I have had it I have religiously kept Lucas fuel injector cleaner in about once per month. I have a K&N air filter that was already on it and I bought the recharge kit and cleaned it very good. I bought some special Throttle Body cleaner and a brush and cleaned it out and the butterfly, cleaned all down in the black tubing for any debris or dirt from my air induction (which is still all stock), I have checked the EGR and it looks great, me and a fella from Auto Zone (buddy of mine) checked all over for vacuum leaks and for the most part it idles great. It is very sporadic when it decides to die on me. It does not do it EVERY time. I even bought the cork gasket making kit and made my own gaskets to ensure my air filter had a good seal on it since it didnt really have a seal.
I am at a loss as to why she is dying on me?? No codes, no check engine lights. Once I get it going and I am in town or on the interstate it runs like brand new and NO complaints. It does not sputter, does not spitter, does not cut out or act strange. I started it this morning, pulled out of the drive way, drove at 45 mph for about 2 miles to hop on the interstate and as I was waiting on traffic to pass so i could make a left and hop on the interstate....she died on me and of course there was a pickup behind me that was mad and a semi behind him since I live near a truck stop. After cranking, turning all the way off, then cranking, (doing this about 6 or 7 times while giving it gas each time I cranked) it finally started up. I got out and looked the engine over for any hoses that may have came loose, any sucking noises for a vacuum leak, but nothing. It sat there and idled beautifully as if nothing was wrong with it. So I hopped in and drove fine the rest of the way in to work, which is a 45 min ride each way.
Who out there knows what is going on? Could the BRAND NEW FORD MOTORCRAFT BRANDED "Idle Air Control Valve" be bad? I have cleaned everything possible and I even did that 1 to 1.5 weeks ago before it started all of this. Again, the throttle body is cleaned, the butterfly looks good, I have kept injector cleaner in since I got it in March so I know that is not the issue. It is not burning or using any oil. I just now have 3K on my oil and it still looks like I just changed it. NOt black at all. Maybe some slight brownness but that's it.
It does not smell like it is burning rich or lean. I try to keep mid-grade to 93 octane (and again, have done so since I have had it. So over the past 4 or 5 months I have been doing everything the EXACT same. Nothing new has been introduced (outside of having to purchase new sensors).
Why is it dying on idle???
I cant think of anything else I would have left out? i have tried to think of everything so you wont have to ask me many questions. LOL
I am about to leave to go home in about 20 minutes so I will let you all know how it acts on my way back home.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!
Gerald
I have only had it since this March. This past week, just out of nowhere, it started dying on me when I would come to a crawl in traffic or at a red light AND the throttle was sticking on me (will get to this in the next paragraph). I have had to keep it in neutral, foot on break, and keeping RPM's up to keep from dying. then on Thursday of last week (7-15-10) on my way home the "Service Engine" light comes one. My first thought was the Idle Air Control Valve. so I took it to Auto Zone, they put it on their machine and sure enough that is what the code was pulling. So, I purchased one and replaced it. There goes $109 +tax.
Then while driving it 80 or so miles to get the "Service Engine" light to go off (per Ford dealership) my throttle started sticking as if I had cruise control on. *Thinking..hmm very strange, but ok.. Then when I would try to pass someone it would NOT kick into OD and pass. It acted like it had no idea I had the pedal on the floor. The speed would just creep VERRRRRRRY slooooowly. The "Service Engine" light was still on and my next thought was "Throttle Position Sensor" (TPS). So, I took 'er to a different Auto Zone, they pulled the codes and sure enough, I was right again. The Idle Air Control showed to be in "memory" but not active. Now the TPS is showing to be the "active" code. So, I forked out the $25 and replaced that. this was this past Sunday (2 days ago). Took off battery cable for 5 min. Now, no more check engine light, it actually roars when I stomp on it...all seems to be great and I finally had it all fixed...well..
Now (as of today 7/20/10), my check engine light is still NOT ON and it runs GREAT. The problem now is SOMETIMES when I am at a crawl in traffic or at a stop light - she dies on me. It is acting like the Idle Air Control again??
About 2 weeks ago when it really started to act funny and run shabby I replaced all 6 plugs with the itanium core (sp?) which were recommened over the copper-core Motorcraft. Since I have had it I have religiously kept Lucas fuel injector cleaner in about once per month. I have a K&N air filter that was already on it and I bought the recharge kit and cleaned it very good. I bought some special Throttle Body cleaner and a brush and cleaned it out and the butterfly, cleaned all down in the black tubing for any debris or dirt from my air induction (which is still all stock), I have checked the EGR and it looks great, me and a fella from Auto Zone (buddy of mine) checked all over for vacuum leaks and for the most part it idles great. It is very sporadic when it decides to die on me. It does not do it EVERY time. I even bought the cork gasket making kit and made my own gaskets to ensure my air filter had a good seal on it since it didnt really have a seal.
I am at a loss as to why she is dying on me?? No codes, no check engine lights. Once I get it going and I am in town or on the interstate it runs like brand new and NO complaints. It does not sputter, does not spitter, does not cut out or act strange. I started it this morning, pulled out of the drive way, drove at 45 mph for about 2 miles to hop on the interstate and as I was waiting on traffic to pass so i could make a left and hop on the interstate....she died on me and of course there was a pickup behind me that was mad and a semi behind him since I live near a truck stop. After cranking, turning all the way off, then cranking, (doing this about 6 or 7 times while giving it gas each time I cranked) it finally started up. I got out and looked the engine over for any hoses that may have came loose, any sucking noises for a vacuum leak, but nothing. It sat there and idled beautifully as if nothing was wrong with it. So I hopped in and drove fine the rest of the way in to work, which is a 45 min ride each way.
Who out there knows what is going on? Could the BRAND NEW FORD MOTORCRAFT BRANDED "Idle Air Control Valve" be bad? I have cleaned everything possible and I even did that 1 to 1.5 weeks ago before it started all of this. Again, the throttle body is cleaned, the butterfly looks good, I have kept injector cleaner in since I got it in March so I know that is not the issue. It is not burning or using any oil. I just now have 3K on my oil and it still looks like I just changed it. NOt black at all. Maybe some slight brownness but that's it.
It does not smell like it is burning rich or lean. I try to keep mid-grade to 93 octane (and again, have done so since I have had it. So over the past 4 or 5 months I have been doing everything the EXACT same. Nothing new has been introduced (outside of having to purchase new sensors).
Why is it dying on idle???
I cant think of anything else I would have left out? i have tried to think of everything so you wont have to ask me many questions. LOL
I am about to leave to go home in about 20 minutes so I will let you all know how it acts on my way back home.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!
Gerald
Im not even using the internet right now
