2000 Taurus starts but wont stay running

[jlbrown62]

hello, I own a 2000 taurus and am having a few problems. first it starts but wont stay running unless you hold the throttle down a bit. After it warms up its fine. Im not for sure if its the IAC or MAF or mabey a fuel problem.. Any ideas??? Also i need a little input on my tranmission. The car has 109,000 miles and ive owned it since 60k. Its never had a tranny flush that i know of. Should i take it to ford and have them do a filter change and a flush or just change the filter and what fluid i can get out by myself. Ive heard that if you flush them with that many miles it can create more problems than it does good..of course ford wants my money..but whats new? The tranny has 0 problems (knock on wood) and I want to keep it that way. Thanks

[shorod]

Welcome to the forum!

I'd suggest you start by having any potential codes read. The OBD-II system in your car may have pending codes that have not yet caused a Check Engine Light to illuminate and may point towards the low idle issue.

If there are no codes, you should pull the IAC (beware of the stainless gasket!) and clean it as well as the passages in the upper intake for the IAC as well as clean the throttle plate. I've been very impressed with the effectiveness of the STP Throttle Body Cleaner.

While you're in the mood to be under the hood of the car, consider pulling the EGR valve (make sure not to lose the gasket!) and making sure it is clean and there isn't a small piece of carbon preventing the EGR valve from closing completely at idle.

If you have the Duratech 24V engine, I think your 2000 would have the Intake Manifold Runner Control (someone may correct me on this). If so, and the IMRC is stuck open at idle, it could cause symptoms such as you describe.

Additionally, your car would be due for a tune up at that mileage. Consider replacing the fuel filter and spark plugs if you don't know when they were last changed. I'd also recommend adding a bottle of fuel injector cleaner to the fuel tank for good measure.

-Rod

[jlbrown62]

all good sugestions..i just replaced the IAC today, i read that cleaning them is not really a perminate fix so i just said screw it. It seems to be running a lot smother on idle but i wont find out for sure if that was it until tomarrow morning. Thanks for your reply!! I do need to clean my EGR for good measure too. I gave the car a tune-up along with a new coil pack last winter and am gona put in a new filter friday. Any sugestions on the transmission?? i just dont want to fix it if its not broke and cause more problems ya know.

[shorod]

I'd personally just change the fluid and filter, but wouldn't flush it if you have no current concerns with it. Be sure to top off with the correct fluid for your transmission though.

-Rod