99 ford explorer idle problems

[nklta24]

please help me? i have been having a problem with my 99 explorer. it has been acting up on me alot. When the car is driving it's fine but then I get to a stop light and it sounds and feels like it's about to shut off? But now yesterday I started the car and put it in drive and as soon as I put it into drive, it shuts off.Please help me figure out why this could be happening? i have been hearing alot of different things as in it could be a vaccum leak, or the idle control valve but what should I check for first? Does anyone know how much a vacuum leak could cost me? Please let me know and thank you !!

[exploded99]

Originally Posted by nklta24

please help me? i have been having a problem with my 99 explorer. it has been acting up on me alot. When the car is driving it's fine but then I get to a stop light and it sounds and feels like it's about to shut off? But now yesterday I started the car and put it in drive and as soon as I put it into drive, it shuts off.Please help me figure out why this could be happening? i have been hearing alot of different things as in it could be a vaccum leak, or the idle control valve but what should I check for first? Does anyone know how much a vacuum leak could cost me? Please let me know and thank you !!

Usually with a vacuum leak big enough to kill the engine, you will get a check engine light - the code will be a code for too lean a fuel mixture.

Since you don't mention a check engine light, I think the idle air valve is more likely the problem. These almost never set a check engine light when they go bad, and they are a pretty common problem.

I would clean the idle air valve - you can search the net and find instructions. If that makes it better, but does not completely fix it, then replace the valve.

[bamaeng98]

I learned from experience about this problem. I have a 99 xlt with SOHC engine. About 2 years ago, I was having the same problem. One shop told me I had O2 sensor problem(running lean), so I changed them. It didn't solve it. I did some more research and this below( I found this situation on another site):

>Rough Idle at Start Up - Recall Repair 0012MC

>At 46,XXX miles, I took it in for a problem with the engine running rough for >the first couple of minutes when you started the engine in cold weather. I >normally don't start the engine in the cold since the vehicle is garaged 99% >of the time. However, we were traveling to the Washington DC area and >had the Explorer parked outside (for probably the first time ever) and I >started noticing this problem. >My dealer did the recall repair for 0012MC which calls for replacing >tensioners and low intake manifold gasket. This fixed the problem (the >rough idle was caused by a leaking gasket...the tensioner was a side item to >replaced under the same recall).

Replacing the the lower intake gasket took care of my problem. It's been running smoothe ever since. Hope this helps.
-b

[B33p3r]

Clean the IAC first. It takes 15 minutes and is very easy to do. The plunger sticks and causes the vehicle to rough idle and/or stall when your foot is not on the gas pedal. All you have to do is remove the 2 bolts and flush the plunger area with oil. Use Wd-40 or clean engine oil. You may have to carefully pry the plunger open to flush it.

[mitchech]

Dear Mechanic,
I have the problem list below on my 1999 Ford Explore. My question is that, is the recall number 0012MC repair free, if so, what is my next step?
Rough Idle at Start Up - Recall Repair 0012MC
>At 46,XXX miles, I took it in for a problem with the engine running rough for >the first couple of minutes when you started the engine in cold weather. I >normally don't start the engine in the cold since the vehicle is garaged 99% >of the time. However, we were traveling to the Washington DC area and >had the Explorer parked outside (for probably the first time ever) and I >started noticing this problem. >My dealer did the recall repair for 0012MC which calls for replacing >tensioners and low intake manifold gasket. This fixed the problem (the >rough idle was caused by a leaking gasket...the tensioner was a side item to >replaced under the same recall).
Replacing the the lower intake gasket took care of my problem. It's been running smoothe ever since. Hope this helps.
-b