96 Windstar rough idle after warm up

[winterover]

I have a strange problem on my windstar... at the first run of the day or after a long sitting, the van starts and runs fine... the problem is that after it's had a chance to warm up and then go drive it again, such as going to the grocery store... the van runs really rough, almost to the point of dying (and many times does). Seems like it should run better once it's warmed up ----- anyone had this issue before? I have my theory about it... but am intersted to what you all might have to say and see if it matches. I've put a lot of time and money in this van fixing vacuum leaks, changing O2 sensors and DMRC valves and whatnot.... what's next?

[jayjp200]

I am having a same issue here with mine 98 Windstar. Did you fix yours.
Please reply.
Thanks.

[Scrapper]

sounds like coil getting hot in coilpack do you have a check engine lite on? use a old plug when it dose this and pull a plug wire off stick old plug in it and ground it to moter and see if it's got blue spark yellow spark not good. also could be tps sensor on the idle.

[kafkacell]

Jay do oyu have CEL? yes, it sounds like bad coil. Also you can clean IACV (controls IDLE). Here they explain how to do it: http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar02.html

[jayjp200]

Originally Posted by kafkacell

Jay do oyu have CEL? yes, it sounds like bad coil. Also you can clean IACV (controls IDLE). Here they explain how to do it: http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar02.html

Thanks for the reply.

No, I do not have any codes stored or lights on dash coming up.

I have replaced IAC valve recently about a month ago and made no difference.
The plugs and coil is brand new only 4 weeks old.

Only thing I have not changed is the Ignition cables. I had them replaced 4 years back.

I have this problem on and off for last 3 years.

Can the ignition cables be the problem for a rough idle at a warm start?

[hi22ml]

I have the same problem on my '96. When I collect live data with an OBD2 scanner, I see that the engine starts and runs ok for a few seconds in Open Loop. Then it switches to Closed Loop while the O2 sensors still show zero voltage. When the fuel trim steps up to rich misfiring begins and only stops when the O2 sensors read .5volts or more and the fuel trim moves back toward lean. I don't know why the engine goes closed loop before the oxygen sensors are ready.

[Searles Lewis]

Originally Posted by jayjp200

Thanks for the reply.

No, I do not have any codes stored or lights on dash coming up.

I have replaced IAC valve recently about a month ago and made no difference.
The plugs and coil is brand new only 4 weeks old.

Only thing I have not changed is the Ignition cables. I had them replaced 4 years back.

I have this problem on and off for last 3 years.

Can the ignition cables be the problem for a rough idle at a warm start?

Yes, and also the site listed, as it says, the EGr valves coul be plugged.

My landlord spiked our engine with anti-freeze. I did not do the leckemby procedure, he stated the plenum & egr were fine ,then I was able to find on this site that the mis-fire, and heat, could be due to the egr valves being plugged up. 2, 5, and 6 are all plugged up.

I will clean them later on today.