I got in my 2000 Taurus SE Friday for the drive back from the coast (outside temp around 35°F and the car didn't want to start. It cranked just fine but acted like it wasn't getting any fuel. Once I started keeping my foot on the gas, it started but stalled if I let it just idle. It seemed to want to idle between 3-500 rpm; much slower than its normal 1100 cold and 700 warm. I just kept giving it gas while I changed gears from park to drive.It ran smoothly in cruise the whole way but continued to stall if I stopped at a light without keeping my foot on the gas. Finally, it seemed to start idling correctly after about 4 hours worth of mostly highway driving.I'm curious what the problem is. Obviously, I've got to get it fixed but it's running OK right now. I don't expect that to last though...Ideas?

AIC valve."Mortimer Schnerd, RN" wrote:

Throttle Position Sensor?

Nov 29, 2004 23 Replies

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Mortimer Schnerd, RN 21 years ago

No. I initially opined that my symptoms were possibly caused by a bad TPS. I was told that it was more likely a bad idle air control... which ended up being correct. Air bypass valve and idle air control are the same thing; the TPS is something else entirely.

It threw me off as well. That's part of the reason I ended up paying someone to fix my car. I knew I didn't know enough about the fuel system to diagnose and repair the problem without potentially creating many more. I'm good about doing that.

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jjskywlker 21 years ago

Ok, I have a 2000 Mercury Sable and have had a similar Idle Ai Control Valve problem that the other people have posted about. I ha the IAC replaced by a dealer, but the idle is still very rough, an idles warm jerking between 500-600 RPM.

Is this a situation where I should just go in myself and attempt t

adjust it? I remember seeing in the manual that you could adjust th idle speed by just turning a screw

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Scott M 21 years ago

If it has never been messed with before, no, do not turn any screws. You have a problem. Start with a visual inspection (vacuum lines ect.) Then clean the throttle bore. Usually idle problem on Fords are a dirty throttle bore and IAC.

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Happy Traveler 21 years ago

No, it's not a situation where you should attempt to 'adjust it' yourself by just turning a screw. Idle speed is controlled by the computer in response to a variety of inputs and something is amiss, perhaps not the IAC at all. ... > I had the IAC replaced by a dealer, but the idle is still very rough, and idles warm jerking between 500-600 RPM.

it? I remember seeing in the manual that you could adjust the

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