Idles low & stalls when warm-throws P0113 & 0102 | Ford Explorer Forums

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Idles low & stalls when warm-throws P0113 & 0102

Breathnach

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City, State
APO AE.
Year, Model & Trim Level
2003 Ford Explorer
Good day all,

Looking for a good lead on how to fix my headache. I got a 03 Explorer Limited V8 (120K) that has an idle issue. Here is the run down.

Problem:

Bessy starts perfect and purrs when cold - not technically the problem.. but stay with me :)

Once warmed up and when in "Park", when I rev the engine and release the RPMs will drop low and she will either stall or gasp and return to normal idle.

When warm and in "Drive" she runs fine as long as I am on the trottle. When I approach a stop and I take my foot off the gas, the RPMs drop to about 300-500 and she will either stall or recover. If she recovers, she will have a surge in the the idle (300-1000 RPM). Once I put my foot on the gas- she's good to go until I have to take my foot off the gas again.

"Service Engine Soon" light is on and she is throwing P0113 & P0102 error code.

What I have done already:

Searched this forum for like symtoms and with common sense (which some may argue I lack at times) narrowed it down to what the codes are throwing as well as the PCV valve and respective hose and fittings.

For the PCV, I replaced the valve and all hose and fittings and ensured no cracks or leaks - including the crank case breather tube and fittings.

For the error codes I discovered they are both related to the MAF sensor. According to my Haynes manual the IAT sensor is housed in the MAF sensor.

P0102: Mass Air Flow (MAF) Circuit Low Input
P0113: Intake Air Temperature Circuit High Input

In order to kill two birds with one stone, I replaced the entire MAF sensor and she is still behaving badly.

Note to respective readers: I read in the fourms that while the vehicle is running - if you disconnect the MAF sensor the computer will default to a preset fuel/air mixture and make your vehicle run normal; however, when I disconnect mine she gives me the prevebial middle finger and dies. Even when I leave it disconnected and try to start her she will turn over, but won't catch. This is the case with the new and old MAF sensor.

After replacing with a new sensor is there some sort of reset I need to do to ensure the computer recognizes the new MAF sensor??

I appreciate any assistance you can throw my way. I am a USAF member stationed in Germany and getting parts for my Explorer takes time and so is the wait for an experinced mechanic that can work on US cars.

Dan W. :salute:
 



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Is your Explorer really a 93 as your post says or is it an 03 like your other info says?
 






Is your Explorer really a 93 as your post says or is it an 03 like your other info says?

Good catch.. its an 03.. Post was editied to reflect correct inforamtion. Thanks a ton for the gut check!
 






This may or may not help you, but what you describe happened to me on my '93. I went round and round with that MAF, but it never fixed the problem. What finally fixed it was I noticed a huge hole that had worn through the bottom of the big air tube that goes from the MAF to the throttle body. It's called something automotively catchy, I'm sure, but you get what I'm talking about? Anyway, I had never noticed it before because every time I took it off to change the air filter or clean the throttle body, I never turned it upside down. I just picked it up and put it down oriented normally. I ran some duct tape (don't EVER use duct tape under the hood or near exhaust parts - this was a temporary test) around the tube and sealed it off. Fired right up and purred like a kitten. Totally normal function.

Hope this helps.
 












Geosnooker, Swshawaii

Thanks a ton for taking the time to engage- Means alot.

Geosnooker- I did a courtesy check and didn't see rips, tears, holes, in the tube "thingy" after the MAF sensor and the intake; but, I should probably take the entire thing off and give it a good cleaning and inspection. I'll head out there now and give it a good "Back to Basics" approach to it. Thanks again.

Swshawaii- The first link I already tackled head on. It was the 2nd attempt of a fix after replacing the MAF didn't work. Although the rubber elbows were dryed out. I replaced them all to include the PCV. There are no cracks in the plastic tubing that connects to the PCV and the crank case breather.

The second link doesn't sould like my issue, but I will enquire a bit further. Again, thanks for the time you took to address my call for help.

On another note, I inspected the wire harness that leads into the MAF for any chaffing.. I didn't see anything, but maybe there is some damage where I can't readily see. If there are no rips, tears, or holes in the air breather tubing, then I guess I will take it into the shop.. **sigh*

:salute: Dan
 






might be a long shot but check the connectors to the spark plugs and injectors. when cold mine would run fine but when she warmed up it idle like crap. I did a little pushing here and there and problem solved. (cold contracts keeps things tight heat expand pushes them apart) like I said long shot but good luck and ty for your service :)

Former flyboy here :)
 






This may be another long shot, but cleaning or replacing the EGR valve can fix idle issues, especially if it happens after getting the vehicle warmed up. I know someone with a Mustang who had this issue and it turned out to be a very dirty EGR valve. They replaced it and the stalling issue went away.
 






Thanks guys.

I ended up taking it into the shop. It seems (so far as can tell) that while trouble shooting the issue I disconnected the MAF which resulted in the "Service Engine Soon" light to come on. When I reconnected it the code never cleared, so therefore leading me on a wild goose chase surrounding the MAF. I cleared the codes to see if anything else would register on the ODB reader and got nothing.

Good thing is that a local German mechanic here has a computer that can diagnose my Explorer. When he plugged it in the computer was saying I had a faulty Idle Control Valve (ICV)--- but didn't throw a OBD code (shrug??). This confused me cause I tested the ICV by disconnecting it during normal idle and the engine idle dropped significantly to indicate the ICV was funtioning properly. Unless there is more to it.... which could be the case, I opted to change out the ICV anyway.

The part should be in sometime this week so I will keep you all updated on whether it fixed my issue or not. Either way I will see this thread to conclusion. Thanks again for chiming in.

Ive read other articles on the EGR valve as well. I bought the car used and have no idea on the history of any servicing.. so I will order one of those to and install just to rule out future issues..

DW
 






Ever find a true fix for the issue?
 






Ever find a true fix for the issue?

Yes..... and no...

Seems the codes were taking me on a wild goose chase. I must have threw the codes as a result of disconnecting the MAF and what-nots but never cleared them after connecting everything back together again. I ended up taking it to a mechanic who put it ona computer. Dialed it in to the Idle Control Valve. Replaced it and itsmuch.. much.. much better. However, ever so ofter, the RPMs still drop low and cause it to stall (maybe twice a week).

When I notice the RPMs dropping to the point it might stall, I throw it in Neutral, give a quick jolt of gas, and put it back into Drive and that seems to reset it.

Probably needs a good tune up.
 






I have the same symptoms but with no codes. Tried cleaning the IAC, MAF, new air filter, and found no vacum leak; but none of that seemed to help. Guess I'll try a new IAC and hopefully have the same success. Thanks for the reply.
 






Good to know that in 17 years the code didn't change. Means the same as a 03 Explorer as it does on a 2018 Sport. Disconnected the IATS to swap back the air filter box back to OEM and apparently forgot to re connect the IATS. Kept getting MIL and couldn't figure out what. Finally read the code and checked. Sure enough. Connected, cleared codes and will check final fix in the morning during a road trip.
 






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