98 Taurus idle problem

I have a Taurus with 143,000 miles, check engine light came on, read codes and they indicated the MAF sensor was out (0171 and 0174, I think). The car will either idle and stall or will idle at 3500 rpms. When the car is moving the car will either idle normally or will race to 3500.
I have changed the MAF and the low idle problem is gone (still runs rough on low idle) car will still race to 3500.
Strange part when car idles fast the brakes will engage slightly (can feel the drag) but not when the idle is normal.

Is my car possessed?

0141 has to do with the o2 sensor:

H30 DTCS P0135, P0141 and P0155 AND P0161: HO2S HEATER CIRCUIT IS OPEN, SHORTED TO GROUND, SHORTED TO VPWR OR EXCESSIVE CURRENT DRAW

I have a Taurus with 143,000 miles, check engine light came on, read codes and they indicated the MAF sensor was out (0141 and 0147, I think). The car will either idle and stall or will idle at 3500 rpms. When the car is moving the car will either idle normally or will race to 3500.
I have changed the MAF and the low idle problem is gone (still runs rough on low idle) car will still race to 3500.
Strange part when car idles fast the brakes will engage slightly (can feel the drag) but not when the idle is normal.

Is my car possessed?

Sounds like you may have a nasty vacuum leak or possibly an issue with the EGR system. Sounds like the car is recognizing the low idle condition and trying to speed the engine to compensate. It then notices the fast idle and backs off the idle speed control servo, etc.

When you mention that the MAF fixed the low idle problem, are you referring to the enging dying, or that plus idling low? How low is low idle, 700 rpm, 300 rpm?

Another thing to try would be to find someone with a scan tool that has the datastream mode and understands how to use and read it, then look at what parameters are changing rapidly just before the idle races.

Also, remove the air intake hose from the throttle body and inspect the idle air bypass passages and the back side of the throttle plate for sludge buildup. If there is quite a bit of it, you should clean it using throttle body cleaner. Make sure to get the stuff that says it's safe for Ford coated throttle bodies. For good measure, add a bottle of fuel injector cleaner to the fuel tank.

-Rod

In regards to the new MAF fixing the low idle I mean the stalling. Also it is idling as low as 100-200 to 500-800. Iwill try to find the vacumn leak. Any suggestions on how to find it quickly?

Thanks

Well, due to the flammable nature of this, I will not recommend it.

That disclaimer being made, one could conceivably use a propane torch, unlit, and run that around the vacuum lines in the engine compartment while the engine is running. If a vacuum leak exists, it will suck in the propane and cause a noticeable change in the idle of the engine.

In theory, the same would result if a person used carbureator and choke/throttle body cleaner in place of the propane.

Or, someone with sensitive hearing could likely hear a hissing/sucking noise caused by the vacuum leak if they listened carefully.

-Rod