I just completed the repairs for the valve cover and isolator bolts on my 1999 Windstar about 1 1/2 months ago, and have a question about the TSB for this.

Ford says the PCM needs to be reflashed to complete the TSB, since I did this myself I have NOT reflashed the PCM. The van had a rough idle shortly after I got it, and even now still is a little rough. At times though the Idle just seems to low, the van has died on me three times now (putting into reverse, stopping on an exit ramp, and putting into reverse again).

Is the PCM flash something I need to get done to adjust idle and stuff, or should I be looking else where???

Thanks, sorry if I missed this, but I couldn't find anything on searching.

Any major job done on these engines, with the learner Box, You should relearn your PCM. So unplug your Batt for a few mins, and reconnect it. IAC MAF TPS O2s any one of those you should relearn the idle.

Unplug batt
Reconnect Batt
Start engine Then Let it idle one min in park HOT.. Thats the key there too. Its gotta be Up to Temp.
Then shift the gear shift in every gear without moving, back to park. Then go for a drive. It takes about 100 miles to complete the relearn, including shift patterns.

Shifting will be different from what your use too, so dont get worried..

Try that first tho, As mine did the same with stalling afterwards and fixed after a relearn..

You could also try cleaning the Intake Air Control "IAC".
Then do the relearn process.

I've done the isolator bolts twice, and rebuilt the engine once, on my 230+ k mile '99 ....runs pretty good ... never been reflashed unless the dealer did it on a very early-on service visit. I did have a couple of early warranty recalls ... maybe it was done then, I dunno.

You could also try cleaning the Intake Air Control "IAC".
Then do the relearn process.

Thanks everyone, I will give this a try tomorrow since its suppose to be nice here. Where exactly is the IAC located? I don't know where my book took off too after I finished the isolator bolt fix.

Thanks again!

Thanks everyone, I will give this a try tomorrow since its suppose to be nice here. Where exactly is the IAC located? I don't know where my book took off too after I finished the isolator bolt fix.

Thanks again! I have a photo of the underhood area with lables in the main list of the windstar forum. Follow your airfilter, to the intake. Its the round part on the top with the connector facing you. All metal part no plastic.

The IAC is located on the upper intake manifold....right next to the throttle body.
The PCM controls the idle by opening and closing the IAC.
The IAC can stick....causing stalling under the conditions you describe....
Also noticable in parking lots.....when turning the steering wheel with your foot off the accellerator.

Remove the 2 small bolts that hold the IAC in place.....remove the electrical connector.
Use some SeaFoam "Deep Creep", or even WD-40 to clean it.....spray it in...while holding the IAC so that the fluid runs out....taking the dirt with it.

This is a link to a picture that has the IAC labeled.....the IAC is the silver part right below the label.
I am sure that your '99 is somewhat different than my '96, but this should get you to the part.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1201989414011220610tfjrRI

The IAC is located on the upper intake manifold....right next to the throttle body.
The PCM controls the idle by opening and closing the IAC.
The IAC can stick....causing stalling under the conditions you describe....
Also noticable in parking lots.....when turning the steering wheel with your foot off the accellerator.

Remove the 2 small bolts that hold the IAC in place.....remove the electrical connector.
Use some SeaFoam "Deep Creep", or even WD-40 to clean it.....spray it in...while holding the IAC so that the fluid runs out....taking the dirt with it.

This is a link to a picture that has the IAC labeled.....the IAC is the silver part right below the label.
I am sure that your '99 is somewhat different than my '96, but this should get you to the part.
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1201989414011220610tfjrRI

Thanks! I will give this a try later today. I believe we changed a seal under the IAC as part of the kit I bought for doing this repair, but I don't think anyone cleaned it. Thanks for the tips guys, will let you know how it goes.

Thanks! I will give this a try later today. I believe we changed a seal under the IAC as part of the kit I bought for doing this repair, but I don't think anyone cleaned it. Thanks for the tips guys, will let you know how it goes.

Also, when you turn your steering wheel the idle should go up a hair. Thats the powersteering pressure switch, telling the iac to open a bit more. If the pressure switch isnt working, It will stall out.

Also, when you turn your steering wheel the idle should go up a hair. Thats the powersteering pressure switch, telling the iac to open a bit more. If the pressure switch isnt working, It will stall out.

That may be it, I've never noticed the idle going up when I turn the wheel, although when it died on the exit ramp I don't beleive I was turning the wheel at that time so....

I'm in the middle of cleaning out the IAC and have the battery disconnected right now. Will report back.

Thanks again!

Ok, I'm done with everything, and it really isn't much better. I can hear a bit of a click as soon as I turn the wheel and the idle does jump up just a bit so I'd say the idle switch on the power steering is working. According to the RPM dial it is sitting around 700-750 RPM at idle. Turning on the defroster/AC/or putting it in gear makes it drop a bit.

Any other suggestions? It is due for a tune up in a month or so, don't know if that will help with this any or not. I cleaned the EGR valves while I was doing the valve cover stuff (although they may not be perfectly cleaned, they are WAY better than they were).

Well, now that you mention tune-up.....I would do all of that stuff first....before looking elsewhere.
For a '99, spark plugs, spark plug wires, and COIL PACK, fuel filter, fuel system cleaner (to clean the fuel injectors....Berryman's B-12 Chemtool in the metal can), PCV valve.....along with a GOOD inspection of the PCV vaccum lines along with a new air filter.

Coil pack, there have been a few posts lately where folks have chased their tails trying to find a issue.....and ended up finding that the coil pack caused it.
So....at the age of your vehicle....I would put it onto the tune-up list.

Just a couple days ago....I was checking around under the hood of my '96, with the engine running.....and found that the elbow on top of the upper intake manifold....that goes to the PCV valve.....was almost completely collapsed by the vaccum inside it.
It was OK otherwise......just a bit soft......looked normal until the engine was running.
So.....I replaced it (I had replaced it a couple years ago for a crack on the inside of the elbow).

Fuel filter and fuel injector cleaning are 2 things that are often overlooked.
Fuel filter when restricted can place an additional workload on the fuel pump......which can cause it to fail.

Again, just what is the concern? Is it just the idling, sometimes dying? ... or is there also a code?