1999 Mercury Cougar Logo
Posted on Mar 11, 2009
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Car idles low, stalls after start

When starting my engine it will start up and stall or idle at a low RPM around 400-500. To start i have to put foot on the gas and keep it at about 1500 rpm and easily let off gas so it wont stall, if i just let off gas it stalls until engine is warm. 2.5L V-6 with manual 5-speed transmission.

  • Anonymous Mar 17, 2014

    Rund ok for a while but when car 'warms up' it starts to 'cough and splutter' when you go around a corner and put your foot down - or just put your foot down when you start off - it's ok when you get up to speed ?????

  • Anonymous Mar 17, 2014

    starts every time, have to keep foot on hte gas so it will not stall again. Once it is warmed up, it's not a proble.

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1 Answer

Marvin

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  • Mercury Master 85,242 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 11, 2009
Marvin
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Common issue at the shop (i'm a ford technician), here is what I do to correct it.
Here is the most common cause of surges and stalls at stops and low erratic idle speed and rough idle, it is the idle speed control air-bypass valve and throttle valve (IAC for short), they get full of gunk over the miles and cause idle issues (stalls, low idle) like yours, Get a can of intake cleaner from any local parts store, not carb spray, intake cleaner, it is made by a company called CRC, remove the air intake hose to the engine, hold the idle high so the engine won't stall, then spray the can of cleaner into the intake while keeping the engine running, use at least 1/2 the can, shut down the engine and disconnect the battery for 5 minutes, then restart and complete a number of mixed driving cycles, town, freeway, stop and go etc., after a few days the problem will go away as the system will relearn to the clean intake.

  • jimyfmbrz763 Mar 16, 2014

    when puting all the parts I took off when replacine fuine, I noticed air breather hose having alot of gunk in it. havnt tried solution yet, but even if thats. ot

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alternator is dead or near.
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i bet of you use the right foot on throttle before the stall it will not stall. (RPM must 800 not lower)
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Periodically, EPS comes on Dashboard ,then steering becomes too hard, this will disappear two to three times re start the vehicle or running few meters and switch off the car and re start the car.

well I can't drive it and see all symptoms.
i can't see the idle speed drop below 800 RPM,. !
if the idle drops real low, then engine shakes, and PS gets weaker.
Id ignore the EPS till such time as all other things are perfect.
ever get an engine tuneup this decade?
low engine RPM , top number 1 cause is owners not servicing their cars. (spark plugs bad tops that list)
if you ignore that, tuneup the engine WILL misfire and RPM will drop and P/s (means power steering)will get weak (the assist is pump driven) and then the engine can stall.
i bet you also forgot to say the steering got weak
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do the head lights dim as this (bad) happens?
can you use your right foot to keep RPM above 800 and save stalls or near stalls?
IF RPM is ok, ?then check the fan belt next. (slips)
or buy a new on, my guess is 11 year old belt is kinda hopeless case.
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There are few help links with solutions to troubleshoot such idle issues.

I suggest you refer the link below and follow its troubleshooting details:------

Click the link below:-----
Bad miss at idle? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/bad-miss-at-idle.html

-----------
Stumbling and stalling at idle after engine rebuild?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/stumbling-and-stalling-at-idle-after.html

------------
1999 Ford F-150 Idles rough and quits when gas pedal is pressed less?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/1999-ford-f-150-idles-rough-and-quits.html

---------
Engine stumbles coming off idle when warm?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/engine-stumbles-coming-off-idle-when.html

------------------
Erratic idle on car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/erratic-idle-on-car.html

-----------


Cold start problem and vehicle shudder around 2500 to 3500 rpms
http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-start-problem-and-vehicle-shudder.html

----------
Low idle when cold out side?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/low-idle-when-cold-out-side.html

-----------
GMC Sonoma Stalls and idles low

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/10/gmc-sonoma-stalls-and-idles-low.html

--------


GMC Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve Replacing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/gmc-idle-air-control-iac-valve.html

-------------
1996 Camry intermittent engine failure while idle?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/1996-camry-intermittent-engine-failure.html

------------
Engine quits at idle?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/engine-quits-at-idle.html

-----------
Car overheats and Air blows hot at idle?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-overheats-and-air-blows-hot-at-idle.html

---------

High Idle Problem

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/high-idle-problem.html

-------
While stop engine idles like cylinder missing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

---------
Idle flair is noticed on car? Rough idle? car will not idle? Erratic idle speed?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/idle-flair-is-noticed-on-car-rough-idle.html

--------
High rpm in neutral? Inconsistant high RPM in neutral?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/high-rpm-in-neutral-inconsistant-high.html

-------
Vehicle stumbling at idle and shows code 54?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-stumbling-at-idle-and-shows.html

----------
Rough idle, staling and Erratic shifting?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/03/rough-idlestaling-and-erratic-shifting.html

-----------
While stop engine idles like cylinder missing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

---------

These details will help.

Thanks.

1helpful
1answer

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i know this may sound stupid but if your battery is old or a little weak on this vehicle the idle air control solenoid will act speradicley hunting for were it should be and the vehicle will stall.replace battery
0helpful
3answers

Engine idles to low and stalls

I would have the throttle plate cleaned because when they get dirty they have the symptoms that you are describing
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