Has anyone had the stalling problem on there 96 merc mystique fixed? Our mechanic had the car in the shop, doing diagnostics and just driving it around for a month and could not find a problem - never stalled on him! Please help.

I don't know but there is a site specialising in Mercury that charges 5$ to talk to a Mercury mechanic

https://www.justanswer.com/mercury/6nxty-align-timing-marks-cams-crankshaft-merc-mystique.html

Your compression rings may be worn or dirty. On next oil change use a high mileage oil with an oil additive that will clean the rings.

get a diagnostic code read at like pep boys for free, maybe the CPU

may be you should make a diagnostic and you can do it in a garage or you can do it by yourself if you want to do it by yourself you need some tools and you can find some good ones here: diyobd2.fr

could be many things engine overheating due to waterpump getting bad, could have intake manifold leak,faulty idle air control valve or faulty ignition module or CKP sensor.check see if you have fuel pressure when engine stop,fuel filter could be stopped up or fuel pump going bad, pcm could be failing best bet take car to a garage have it diagnostic checked.because you will spend more money guessing buy lot of new parts you dont need.take car to shop where mechanic has diagnostic equipment some mechanics can fix cars by ear, thats old school mechanics,the new generation vechicles has more complex and has lots of electronic parts, you need special diagnostic scanner to trouble shoot them.

FORD: 1995-96 CONTOUR, CROWN VICTORIA, ESCORT, TAURUS, THUNDERBIRD
1996 MUSTANG LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1995-96 CONTINENTAL, COUGAR, GRAND MARQUIS, MARK VIII, MYSTIQUE, SABLE, TOWN CAR, TRACER LIGHT TRUCK: 1995-96 AEROSTAR, BRONCO, ECONOLINE, F-150-350 SERIES, RANGER, WINDSTAR
1996 EXPLORER This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to include the 1995 4.6L Thunderbird/Cougar. ISSUE: After a 1-4 hour engine soak time, long crank times and/or long crank to start followed by a stall may occur on some vehicles. No further stalling or rough idle will occur after the engine is running. The long crank and/or stall may be due to the Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve sticking.
ACTION: Replace the IAC Valve with a revised IAC Valve if no Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) are present. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Perform normal diagnostics and correct any DTCs as required by referring to the appropriate year Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) Service Manual.
2. If no codes are present, replace the IAC Valve by referring to the appropriate model/year Service Manual, Section 03-14. Refer to the following Idle Air Control Valve Application Chart for proper IAC usage.
   
   IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE APPLICATION CHART Model Year Vehicle Engine Revised Part Number PASSENGER CARS 1995 Escort/Tracer 1.9L F5DZ-9F715-BA 1996 Escort/Tracer 1.9L F6CZ-9F715-BB 1995 Contour/Mystique 2.5L F5RZ-9F715-AB 1996 Contour/Mystique 2.5L F6RZ-9F715-AA 1996 Taurus/Sable 3.0L 4-Valve F5DZ-9F715-DA 1995 Taurus/Sable 3.0L 2-Valve F5DZ-9F715-EA 1996 Taurus/Sable 3.0L 2-Valve F6DZ-9F715-DA 1995 Taurus SHO 3.2L F6DZ-9F715-CA 1996 Taurus SHO 3.4L F6LZ-9F715-AC 1995 Taurus/Sable 3.8L F68Z-9F715-EA 1995 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis/Town Car 4.6L 2-Valve F5PZ-9F715-AA 1996 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis/Town Car/Mustang 4.6L 2-Valve F6AZ-9F715-EB 1996 Mustang 4.6L 4-Valve F65Z-9F715-BC 1995-96 Continental 4.6L 4-Valve F5OZ-9F715-AB 1995 Mark VIII 4.6L 4-Valve F3LZ-9F715-AA 1996 Mark VIII 4.6L 4-Valve F6LZ-9F715-AC 1995 Thunderbird/Cougar 4.6L 2-Valve F5PZ-9F715-AA 1996 Thunderbird/Cougar 4.6L 2-Valve F6AZ-9F715-EB LIGHT TRUCKS 1995-96 Ranger 2.3L F5OZ-9F715-AB 1995-96 Ranger 3.0L F67Z-9F715-AA 1995 Aerostar 3.0L F68Z-9F715-DA 1996 Aerostar 3.0L F69Z-9F715-AA 1995-96 Windstar 3.0L F68Z-9F715-DA 1995 Windstar 3.8L F68Z-9F715-EA 1996 Windstar 3.8L F68Z-9F715-CB 1995-96 Econoline/F-150-350 Series/Bronco 4.9L F68Z-9F715-EA 1996 Explorer 5.0L F67Z-9F715-BA

power is needed to move shifter. sometimes the shifter will move if key is off? maybe? some cars have a slot or a way to move shifter if lock doesnt work. Owners manual handy?

go to autozone and have them do a charging system check these services r free and will identify the problem 4 u

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/michael_00678fd4800d19c5

They have a 96 mercury mystique on this website just click the link this might be the same as the 95 merc!!! https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenance/owners_manuals/default.asp

The cylinder that is missing will indeed set a code, all 96 up cars and trucks sold in the US have this self diagnostic ability, the system is called OBD 2
Yes you are right the repair should be performed for free if it is the same problem, head or head gasket, take this matter up with your local authorities dept of consumer affairs if the shop refuses to help you.