1999 Explorer - stalls out upon stopping after running at speeds over 50 mph.

[MINIMOMMA]

My explorer had the fuel pump and fuel filter replaced this past August. I have noticed that when I have been on a Hwy or the interstate traveling in excess of 50 mph for extended periods of time and then have to come to a fairly quick stop (I don't mean screeching halt but if a light changes ahead) that once I am stopped my engine stalls out and it takes a few moments for me to get it started again. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what could cause this to happen? Friends of mine have offered a couple of possibilities for this to happen. One friend said that I may need to add a fuel injector cleaner which I am adding tonight, and the other friend suggested that it may be some kind of brake vacuum clog that is drawing on the engine thereby causing the idle to sputter out. I have no idea if any of that is even possible but if anyone has a better idea about what could be causing my problem I would appreciate the help as I have to drive 100 miles on Monday to catch a flight to go to my granddaughter's funeral. Thank you. My explorer is a 2wd and v8 if that helps.

 

[Kevlar7R]

my truck recently had an issue stalling when stopping.

Does fuel level affect your symptoms?

Mine did it whenever I was under half a tank of gas. The lower the level, the worse.

There is a baffle inside the tank, which keeps fuel around the pump. Mine had broken free from the bottom of the tank. Therefore, when I stopped, the fuel sloshed forward away from the pump.

Is it possible that this baffle was damaged when they did your pump?

 

[MINIMOMMA]

I don't know because a friend of mine's boyfriend's dad did the work but he is a retired mechanic. Even before the pump was changed if I parked on a steep down grade and the gas was low it wouldn't start. I had to be pushed up out of the parking spot to level ground to get it to start. This last time I had 3/4 of a tank as I had filled up just prior to the trip down to Tampa and had traveled about 80 miles at speeds between 70 to 50 miles per hour before hitting the first red light of the trip. It was a similar situation the time before that but more like 30 miles at 55 mph before coming to a stop and it was on a down grade at that light but I had more than 1/2 a tank of gas that time also.

 

[MINIMOMMA]

I added a bottle of Slick 50 to the tank last night when I filled up at the pump to see if it would help as there isn't time to have it checked before I have to leave for the airport. I am just praying it will behave on the way down.

 

[Kevlar7R]

pay attention to the specific circumstances that cause it to stall when you do your drive. If my theory is right, you won't stall with a full tank.

I find it unlikely that the speed or length of the drive has anything to do with it. When you're on the freeway, your engine is breathing a lot of air and drinking a lot of fuel. If you had a fuel delivery problem, it would probably be evident there.


Also, try shifting to neutral before you stop (come to a stop in neutral then put it back in drive). This will eliminate any drive-train related causes. A sticking torque converter lock up solenoid could cause it to still be locked up from the freeway, and the brakes are actually pulling the engine to a stop through the transmission.

The fact that you've had prior issues with getting fuel while nose-down makes me think it's the baffle in the tank.

 

[swshawaii]

No check engine light? Have you read for trouble codes?

 

[Turdle]

Parking downhill with less than 1/8 tank always causes starting issues in these trucks. Parking uphill gives false tank readings, until you level off for a while and say " Where the heck did a quarter tank just go?"
IMO--never let the tank go below 1/4 full. Stress this.




Have your mechanic friend clean the IAC (Idle Air Control) valve, and change the air filter. This may help. I suspect the IAC is sticking , not raising the idle upon stopping. Also, these are very inexpensive to address.

 

[Kevlar7R]

ooh, IAC. Didn't think about that. Would that account for the trouble restarting also?

 

[MINIMOMMA]

Many thanks to all of you for your advise. I will try the shifting into neutral when I approach a stop on the way down, and when I get back from my trip I will take the car to have it serviced and ask the mechanic about all of the things you all were kind enough to suggest. I had a similar problem many years ago with a Ford Tempo but the mechanics after replacing all kinds of sensors and other parts, never could find the actual cause. I can remember having to shift to neutral with that one at stop lights to keep it running but that on did it even at low speeds. I really appreciate all of you coming to my aid with advise.

 

[Kevlar7R]

You back yet? Any update?