2002 ZTS will not idle

[Lionofjuda]

My Focus has 45k miles and after it warms up and then shut off for a short while, when it starts again, it will not idle. If I feed the throttle it stays running. I can go through the gears and hit freeway speed, put the clutch in and it dies right away. No DTC reported. This problem is also very intermittent. Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks.

[Turtle1217]

search past posts: try replacing points, plugs, wires, coil, fuel filter, fuel pump, injectors. In other words get it diag'd by your tech or start replacing starting with the cheapest.

[94 Jimmy]

I'm new to the Focus, actually thinking of buying one and thought I'd check the posts. This is a common problem, I've had it with my Jimmy.
Try a bottle of good injector cleaner for good measure, then clean the throttle body and idle control solenoid with some good carberator cleaner. The ICS adds a very small amount of air to the TB after the throttle plate. If it gets dirty and plugs up you don't get any idle air and the engine just stumbles and quits. The computer looks at the idle speed and controls the solenoid to keep it at the proper range. Be careful of this little thing it is fragile, no rubbing or rough handeling. A new one is $50-60 in case yours is bad.
On my Jimmy the ICS is on the side of the throttle body and comes off with a couple screws. Use some carb cleaner and spray the passage to clean it out, do this last after you have cleaned the TB so that any dirt/carbon you might get into the passage will be cleaned out.
You should get the Haynes Manual for your car, it's the best $20 you'll ever spend, (on your car at least) read it over and make sure that I havent lead you astray.
Other possibility is that your going lean, a leak in a vacuum hose(seen that in the posts here) would allow too much air into the intake at idle. When the engine is cold it's set to run rich so it might idle with the additional air, but it will usually idle fast since it's getting more air as if the throttle is open a little.
When the engine warms up and the mixture leans out the additional air just leans the mixture and the engine quits.
Best thing to do is get, and read the book, then find a warm place to work and get to it. Have fun.
Let us know what you find, so when it happens to us we'll be have a clue.
See ya
94

[carlos80]

Originally Posted by Turtle1217

search past posts: try replacing points, plugs, wires, coil, fuel filter, fuel pump, injectors. In other words get it diag'd by your tech or start replacing starting with the cheapest.

points? are you serious?
AIC s also tend to stuck, after you remove it move the plunger back and forth.