Notices
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator 1991-1994, 1995-2001, 2002-2005, 2006-2010 Ford Explorer

Cutting out and stalling

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 06:41 PM
  #1  
cnelso48's Avatar
cnelso48
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Cutting out and stalling

I have an 03 v8 explorer and a couple weeks ago I would stop at a light and the engine would start choking and cutting out. My first instinct was to put it in park and it when back to normal. Thinking that I got some bad gas or something, I didn't do any thing about it. A couple days after that my wife said that it was doing it again. I told her not to worry about it and I will take care of it. I waited till the millage reached it's 90k and changed the fuel filter, which was a pain in the A$$ because the fuel filter is for the 02 not the 03, changed the oil, and the spark plugs. After I finished and put it all back together I took it to the store and stopped and it just stalled without any kind of sputter. I though since that I changed the fuel filter it had air or some sort of hiccup in the fuel lines. The next day it did the same thing just stalled without any attemt to keep on going.

So my question is what could be some possibilities as to correct this? Has anyone had this problem?

Any kind of help would be great. Thanks cnelson
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2009 | 08:23 PM
  #2  
shorod's Avatar
shorod
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,814
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
How old is the battery? If the battery is the original, or around 4 years old, you might consider changing it. Many of the newer vehicles have sensitive electrical systems and, even if the battery is able to easily crank the engine over, may not keep the electrical system alive under loads. I'm not sure of the exact mechanism, but I know a lot of Lincoln LS issues have been solved by replacing relatively old batteries. When you're sitting at the stop light, you probably have your foot on the brake pedal and the brake lights do draw a fair amount of extra current....

You could also have an EGR valve that is not closing completely at idle, along with several other issues. If the battery is getting up there in the years though, I'd start with that since it is due to be replaced anyway.

-Rod
 
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2009 | 09:57 PM
  #3  
cnelso48's Avatar
cnelso48
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
I will check the battery, but I had a chanch to talk to a mechanic about this. He said that this is a common thing in the explorers. It has to do with the part of the throttle body where it connects to the rest of the intake gets warped and air goes in and "tricks the computer" so it stalls out. He said it would be a $500 fix.
 
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2009 | 01:18 PM
  #4  
shorod's Avatar
shorod
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,814
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
A battery would certainly be a less expensive route if it were to fix it....

If it turns out to be a throttle body issue rather than the common intake manifold issues on the V6, please report back with the details. I'm sure a lot of folks on this forum would be interested to know about it. I hadn't heard about issues with the intake on the V8.

-Rod
 
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2009 | 07:23 PM
  #5  
jtwat's Avatar
jtwat
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Central Fla
Listen for a vacuum leak around the throttle body. There is a vacuum line coming out of the bottom of it that had a 90 degree rubber fitting between the throttle body and a plastic line that runs to the rear of the engine. I be leave is is used for crank case vent.
Over time oil softens the rubber and it will split or just collapse causing a vacuum leak.
 
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2010 | 04:58 PM
  #6  
Sikdmax's Avatar
Sikdmax
New User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Ill have to check the vacuum fitting, I have a similar issue.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:42 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE