2000 Ford Windstar - Stalling after Acceleration when Cold

Ok, first post here. I'm not a mechanic, just a problem-solver who likes to trouble-shoot before spending money unnecessarily. I searched the forums and can't find anything quite like it. So, go slow with me...

My 2000 Ford Windstar (192,000 miles) has an issue that I can't figure out. Periodically (and not consistently enough that it happens all the time) in the morning I'll start the van, pull out of my driveway in reverse, put it into drive, and when I press the accelerator, it kind of jerks and then stalls. I have to put it in neutral or park and restart the vehicle. It starts fine every time, but then it will either stall right away when I try to accelerate, or I'll drive a bit down the road and it will stall again when I have to come to a stop and then start again.

It doesn't happen while I'm accelerating as I drive, only when I am at a stop sign, or turning a corner, and then accelerating again to get going. I read somewhere about the Idle Air Control, but it never happens when I'm idling, only during that initial acceleration.

It will usually happen a couple of times early and then (almost as if it warms up or something dries out) it will stop happening as my drive progresses.

Lastly, it typically happens on mornings when either it has rained the night before, or there is general moisture in the air. BUT, it doesn't happen every rainy morning. It hadn't happened at all this summer, even when it's been raining, but this morning it did it again.

It's resulted in a couple pretty hairy situations, where I've accelerated to pull out into traffic, and been stalled broadside as traffic is coming at me!

Any thoughts?

My first guess would be something related to the fuel pump. You could first trying replacing the relays (near battery) that are "PCM" and "fuel pump" relays ... both feed the fuel pump ... and hope that solves it. Look in glove box manual to locate relays.

Or it could be the fuel pump itself. They sometimes have a very erratic failure profile ... often once they get going at start up, they perform well for a while. If it is the fuel pump, it will continue to worsen ... getting to the point that there is little acceleration or ability to climb hills. Approx $200 in aftermarket. And a big job of sorts. I've replaced the fuel pump twice on my '99 (320 kmiles). Its inside the fuel tank which must be dropped.

This has been going on now for about two years(?). Spring and fall, usually, then in the winter and summer it will be fine. Usually on those damp mornings, but not all damp mornings. If it was the fuel pump, and it was doing this a while back, would it have gotten worse or happening more often?

How's your cooling system? Has it been maintained?

It might sound weird but a very similar thing happened with my Lincoln, the problem was a broken thermostat "stuck" in the open position (actually the spring came apart from the rounded part).

Oscar.

This has been going on now for about two years(?). Spring and fall, usually, then in the winter and summer it will be fine. Usually on those damp mornings, but not all damp mornings. If it was the fuel pump, and it was doing this a while back, would it have gotten worse or happening more often?

Hnmmm! That is interesting ... and you make a good point. Does your model have the ignition pack and spark cables? If so, you might try removing the cables and pack and giving all a good cleaning ... followed by spraying with silicone spray ...then reinstalling. I have had ignition packs cause an ignition "stumbling". Cables can leak high voltage to ground during damp periods ... they may be due replacement.

Also removing and cleaning the MAF sensor ... using the approved spray cleaners ... may be a good maintenance action.

Thanks for the tips, I'll see if I can't work on some of those!

Haven't done anything yet...pouring rain this morning and had no issues. Bizarre.