Ford windstar 2000 stalling

[Aldurez]

Hi,
I recently posted here with issues of rough idling and with your help I was able to fix/solve the issue.

Alas I have a new issue, when the van is cold, it starts up fine, idles fine...etc BUT when I am at low idle moving at 40km/h with rpm at or around 1000 I seem to get random rev loses or jerks as if I would be letting go of gas peddle quickly for an instant. That started yesterday afternoon and was happening to me this morning driving into work. When I drove more aggressively there didn't seem to be any bumping in rpm.

I stopped for 5 mins while filling my gas and when I re-started the van, although the idle wasn't rough the van would stall if I didn't give it extra gas (eng temp mid way, thus warmed up). If I keep my foot on the gas peddle a bit and keep higher revs (in or at 1000 range) no problem, everything works fine. As soon as I put it in gear it wants to stall as well unless I am giving it gas (was pushing on both brake and gas at lights to prevent it from stalling). When I start moving everything works fine.

When I was having the rough idle issues a few weeks back I had cleaned everything I could, MAF, IAC, FILTERS...etc I even checked my TPS with an ohmmeter(checked TPS when it was cold not hot and checked it OUT of the van, there were no dead spots in the readings). There were no apparent vacuum leaks.

What fixed my rough idle was when I changed my plugs and wiring. (I had changed the coil a few months prior to that)

My best guess is the IAC or TPS but I always thought the IAC was for when the car was in PARK and the TPS took over once you were in gear. Perhaps when I cleaned it fixed bought me a bit more time...etc

Other then the stalling when the van is warmed up and the occasional rpm bumps the van seem to run smoothly at higher RPM. The bumps in RPM sound like the TPS but does the TPS control your idle in park as well? Thankfully the TPS and IAC are easy fixes !!! Changing those plugs and wiring were a real bitch!

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tim

[Aldurez]

I just wanted to give an update. I left work early since I didn't want to be stuck in traffic with a car that doesn't like stopping and has idle issues.

Well, the car ran smoothly until it warmed up. I was still getting the RPM drops occasionally at or around 1500RPM, drops were about 500RPM for less then a second. When I floored the van I didn't feel the bumps.

The van didn't stall as I was driving and stopping.

When I got home I decided to shut the engine off, wait 2 mins, then start again.... Voila, the car stalls moments after it starts unless I push on the gas. Idle was at or below 600 at this point and it usually hovers around 650-700. I had the stalls in park and in drive while idling unless I was giving it gas.

I am at a total loss. Could it be something as stupid as the gas filter? I cannot remember changing the filter. What are the symptoms of a bad filter?

So to recap:
new plugs,
new wiring for plugs,
new coil for plugs

I have cleaned the IAC and MAF a few weeks ago before changing plugs. They are not new.

I don't hear any vacuum leaks.

The weather is warm/hot and humid currently.

When van is cool, starts and idles great. When accelerating or cruising at about 1500rpm and not driving aggressivly I get rpm drops on occasion. When I turn off the van and wait 30secs and start the van up again the van stalls and will not maintain idle unless I am giving it a bit of gas.

I will be working on it on Thursday or Friday. I will most likely change the fuel filter and fix the exhaust that has a small hole in it. Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tim

[Windstartled]

It still sounds like an IAC acting up to me. I have a similar but not identical issue with mine, when cold it idles rough and sometimes stalls so when I stop I shift it to neutral and give it a little throttle to keep it running but once warmed up it idles fine.

[Aldurez]

I have new info for all of you.

I brought my van over to my mechanics last night to get the muffle fixed and at the same time I asked him to change the fuel filter.

It was hell driving the van to the mechanic. It would always stall as I was coasting or stopped. Motor was not rough or anything it was as if the idle was WAY to low. If I kept my foot on the gas and brake the same time while keeping rpm at or around 1000 rpm it wasn't stalling.

My muffle was pretty bad last night as well, it was time to get it fixed or changed.

As I was driving over when I was cruising and was at about 1500rpm the rpm I was getting rpm bumps as if I was pressing on the gas and letting go. This happened until I either let go of the gas or pushed on it. That is the first time I can honestly say I may have a problem with the TPS. The problem seemed to occur at or around the shifting point of my gears.

Either way I will be able to diagnose the problem better with the muffler fixed and the fuel filter changed. I asked the mechanic to check for a vac leak and to poke around a bit. I should be picking the van up today or tomorrow morning at which point I will continue to repair. At this point in time who the heck knows what the problem is. CAM positioning sensor, IAC, TPS, DPFE.... on a side note, I feel as if the van has less power, it felt lazy but that can probably be just my paranoia and a loud muffler speaking.

Oh nearly forgot to mention that car was fine for the first 2 mins of the drive, then these problems started. So when stone cold the van is ok, the minute it warms up a bit it starts.

Thanks,
T

[gregguy]

did u find a fix for the stalling? I am having similar problems, exept mine idles fine, but stalls sometimes when accerating or at cruising hwy speeds. I also get the occasional stutter or or jerk. I'm wondering if fuel pump is going. PLs let us know if you found the amswer.

[Aldurez]

It ended up being the MAF sensor. I changed it and everything is working fine now.

Hope this helps you. I wasn't getting any CEL's either, which made troubleshooting the problem a real bitch.

Be safe,
Tim