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Engine Stalling at Idle Only

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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 09:53 PM
  #1  
SgtJoe's Avatar
SgtJoe
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From: Vandenberg Air Force Base
Engine Stalling at Idle Only

Hello all,

It's been 2 years since my last post, here are my sins,

My '96 Aerostar with a 4.0L is now stalling. The check engine light is on, and has been for about 3 years. When we pulled the codes last, there was something about a lean mixture.

Up until now, I would get a rough idle when cold but it wouldn't die. Now it dies even when it's warmed up. It runs just fine above idle without any misfires.

Last year I did the plugs and wires.

Do you folks think it is the idle air control valve? If so, can it be cleaned?

Could it be the EGR valve stuck open?

Thanks everyone
 
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 10:03 PM
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roush69
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u may have a faulty mass air flow sensor ,possible vacuum leak ,and air control valve can be cleaned
 
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 10:06 PM
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From: Vandenberg Air Force Base
Thank you for the very fast reply to my post.

How do you check a MAF and what's the best way to find a vacuum leak (not caused by a bad hose).

Thanks again.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 10:13 PM
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roush69
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scan tool is ur best tool check pids display .also if u unplug the maf and it idle better your on the right track .intake leak found in gasget location spray brake clean look for change in idle
 
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Old Nov 30, 2006 | 10:58 PM
  #5  
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You really should never ignore a check engine light, especially for a lean code. If it runs lean, it can detonate, causeing serious engine damage. These guys just hit the likely culprits right on, either a MAF problem or a leak. Not much else can cause a lean code. Unless you have an exhaust leak of some pretty serious magnitude.
 
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 02:18 AM
  #6  
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96_4wdr
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From: Washington state
clean and/or replace the IAC...most common idle control problem on Aero....does not produce codes
valve gums up from dirt in intake air and PCV oil and combustion gases=not enough air into engine at idle
 
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 03:35 AM
  #7  
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From: Kiev, Ukraine
Get OBD-II data and tell me what MAF reads and what O2 sensor reads, try to actuate IAC. Use any universal OBD-II scaning program, like ProScan for example.... As for me it is easy to understand whats going on... vacuum leak, faulty MAF.... ore IAC....

BTW... My father decided to purchaise Ranger 4.0. He ordered used from the USA, 4.0 auto, red metalic... rather expencive... 2003 is $12900 with shipping....
 
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 09:23 AM
  #8  
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Not bad, thats about what they cost here.
 
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Hello SgtJoe, I work at Boeing in Huntington Beach. You probably know some of my buddies that work at VAFB on the Delta II and IV programs and used to work at HB, unless you are with GMD. I was going to go north but didn't want to leave HB.
 
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