2000 Focus slow idle, Stalling shifting to gear - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

gtuplin · 06-13-2009, 20:50

OK so I could read for hours on the Internet but things vary depending on experience!
I have a 2000 Focus SOHC, don't know much about the car other than it has 130KM and I just replace a piston and a new head for the typical seat issues. Runs great but idles slow and fails to idle up when shifting to a gear from park, AC idle up is fine as is the power steering idle up but does not seem to do this on gear selection. I did change the Air Idle control but no change.
Any ideas on this little issue??

**360ci** · 06-14-2009, 07:47

Was a tune up done (new plugs, etc) when the engine was put back together? Tune up should have been done around 100K if it hasn't been done yet, you're WAY overdue. If that's been done, then you can try a couple things. There are sensors (tps throttle position sensor) and IAC idle air controller (you said you changed this) that can gum up and cause some driveability problems, such as poor idle, gear hunting when driving steady speed, etc. I'd look into replacing those, both can be done by the do it yourselfer in about 15min with common hand tools. A repair manual also helps (Haynes or Chilton). Another one is the MAF sensor, located in the air intake tube. It can also be changed relatively easily.

Another test if the sensors don't cure the problem, is to run the tank near empty, and try a few gallons of 91 octane fuel to see if that helps.

gtuplin · 06-30-2009, 06:38

So after some investigation and exhausted avenues I disconnected the battery again grounded out the cables and tried again. Problem solved, after about 4 start stop cycles it began to improve and after 7 or 8 cycles it was fine. Suppose it had to relearn but its fine now.