2000 mercury cougar engine speed stays up when gas pedal is released, sometimes increases when pedal is releases to shif up gears, takes 3 seconds or more to come down to idle when gas pedal is released, will hold at 2000 +- 250 rpm when driving and releasing gas pedal and just letting it go onj by itself, but will drop in rpm if brake is used and gas pedal is released to slow down, and sometimes at a stop light will almost stall dropping to 250 rpm then recovering to a good idle speed of 750 rpm. The idle control motor was changed less than 10,000 miles ago (New Ford part used).

Pedal Relearn Procedure
Accerlerator Pedal Released Postion Learning is and operation to learn the full released postions of the accerlerator pedal by monitoring the accelerator pedal sensor output signal. It must be performed each time harness connector of accelearator pedal postion sensor or ECM is disconnected.

1. Make Sure the acceleartor Pedal is fully released
2. Turn Ignition switchON and wait at least 2 Seconds.
3. Turn ignition switchOFF and wait at least 10 Seconds
4. Turn Ignition switchON and wait at least 2 seconds.
5. Turn Ignition switchoff and wait at least 10 seconds

Throttle Valve Relearn
Throttle ValveClosed Postion Learning is to learn the fully closed postion of the throttle valveby monitoring the throttle position sensor output signal. It must be performed each time harness of
electric throttle control actuator or ECM is disconnect.

1.Make sure accelerator pedal is fully released.
2. Turn ignition ON
3. Turn igntion switch OFF and wait at least 10 seconds. Make sure that the throttle valvemoves during the 10 seconds by confrming the operating sound.
(You can hear the TB sound when you have key on and shifter in first gear and step on the gas. So you know what you listening for.)


Idle Air Volume Relearn Procedure
The Following Condtions Must be met in order for procedure to Work.

Battery Voltage :More than 12.9 volts at idle
Engine Coolant Temp 158-203 degrees Farenhiet
Electric Load Switch OFF i.e Air Condition, headlamps , rear defogger
Steering Wheel: Neutral Postion (Straight Ahead)
PNP Switch: OFF (Park Neutral Switch i.e. Clutch Switch...pretty sure)


1. Perform ACCERLEARATOR PEDAL RELEASED POSTIONS LEARNING
2. Perform THROTTLE VALVECLOSED POSITION LEARNING
3. Start engine and warm it up to operation temperature
4. Turn igniton switch OFF and wait at least 10 seconds
5. Confirm Gas Pedalif fully realeased, then turn igniton switch ON and wait 3 seconds
6. Fully step on and release gas pedal5 time within 5 seconds
8. Wait 7 seconds and fully step on gas and stay on until MIL stops blinking and is steady.
9. Fully release the Gas pedalwithin 3 seconds after the MIL has turned ON steady.
10. Start engine imediatly and let idle. Wait 20 seconds.

It means the brakes are still applied...the hydraulic pressure from stepping on the brake pedal is not releasing once you take your foot off of the brake pedal. Causing the brakes to not release.

sounds like the controller itself is bad it operates using vaccum or the switch in the steering colum could be sticking also

It should disconnect by pressing brake pedal. Take it to shop and have it disabled until repaired. Shop time vs Occident injury or ***** and lawsuits. Shop time is cheaper.

You have a mechanical bind. Disconnect the main linkage and work it all by hand. Everything should be free and slopy. Aerosol carb cleaner will help, but only when the engine is not running.

Either engine is set to higher RPM than specified or your throttle cable is jammed and needs to be checked for release or obstruction in release.

Your throttle cable may be binding or sticking - with someone's help, check it for proper closing action at the throttle body (or carburetor if you have one) on the engine.

Try increasing the idle speed. If you don't know, this is how to do it.
Open the bonnet and ask someone to push and release the gas pedal a five second intervals.
Observe which part is moving.
Yo will see a small adjustment screw on that lever. You will understand that by adjusting the screw you can increase the gas supply to the engine.
Slowly rotate the screw while the engine is running. (If the engine doesn't run in idle state as you have explained, ask someone to keep the pedal slightly pressed. After increasing the gas supply, ask the person to release the pedal).
Adjust it further to get a smooth running condition at idling.
Also check whether air cleaner is blocked.

First guess is that a motor mount is broken and lifts one side of the motor just enough to pull on the throttle cable.
Second guess is that the cable return spring is broken or missing. It pulls the injector throttle body lever closed when the gas peddle is released.

I had the same kind of problem and I ended up solving it by actually checking for recalls for the 2000 Cougar and when you do, you'll see that there is a fuel pump recall. I dont' know if you've already done this but I figured i'd post this and try and help out!

Much luck