Stalling in front of traffic light / idling speed / braking - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

docomo · 03-25-2004, 03:53

My car is running nice and smooth at most of the moment, no miss, no ping and not even any excessive noise. However, I've got a random stalling problem this few weeks, after I've worked on my radiator (flushed, replaced new side tanks, new thermostat). It only happens when your foot is off the gas pedal, but not always, may be 1 per 100 times. The stalling can happen at anytime no matter the engine is warm or cold, if it wanna stall, it simply stalls. However, you can always start the car immediately after the stalling. Other than that, the car is running nice and smoothly.

Here is what I've done so far:
1. New Batteries
2. New Alternator
3. New Plugs
4. Oil Changed

And here is what I'm suspecting:
1. Dirty Fuel Filter? (But how come I don't get stall when I rev the engine up?)
2. Distributor Cap?
3. Spark Plug Cables?
4. Airlock in Fuel? (But how come it will happen in a cold night)
5. Faulty Fuel Pump?
6. Idle Speed Motor?

Your input is much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

John_xr6 · 03-25-2004, 04:28

i dont think it will be the dizzy cap or leads other wise it would be more consistant. your fuel pump could be on its way out or the fuel filter is dirty. possibly computer too.

mongrelEB · 03-25-2004, 04:44

Mine does this, particularly decelerating from a constant cruise out of gear.
It also misfires erratically, just a little.

What my problem was, was a low idle speed during that engine deceleration period. When the engine missed at the wrong moment, it died.

I just opened up the idle screw so it idled at 900 and didn't have an issue since.
Still misses erratically though, I suspect leads, cap or dizzy but I am not bothered as I will be changing it all soon anyway

so no help there.
Try the idle screw, see if it helps?

Alex

docomo · 03-25-2004, 04:58

ya, that's exactly the same symptom as mine, but without the miss. Will try to adjust the idle up a bit and get the fuel filter done first.

thetrueslayer · 03-25-2004, 18:00

definitely sounds like an idle speed screw....I usually try to get it as low as i can so i get a sweet sound from the exhaust, but if its too low then i have problems with stalling every now and then...

xdc351 · 03-25-2004, 18:11

My XE did this at one time...

It would die for no reason, one time in the middle of a major intersection while I was turning a corner. It fired up as soon as I turned the key but not before i nearly got hit up the ass!

In the end it was a slightly damaged (not even visible from the outside) spark lead that was shorting against the block, causing the engine to die instantly. A new lead and a pit of plastic sheilding fixed it straight away.