Low Idle occasionally dies

[markelp]

I have a 98 Sport with about 53K miles. Recently it began having trouble idling. Typically, the Tach will bounce from near zero to about 1200 when idling. Occassionally, it would idle steadily at 2,000 until a tap on the accelerator would start the bouncing again. Three times now, the engine has died when idling/coasting (twice in heavy traffic).

The problem seemed to come up after I changed the oil and air filter, but that was routine and all seems in order. Perhaps there is a seal problem on the air filter cover? Should I do a complete tune up? Could it be the fuel filter (supposed to be changed at 60K)?

Any ideas? Any help would be appreciated before I take it in for service.

Thanks!

---Mark

 

[Robert]

If you have the SOHC, do a search for 00M12.

 

[ok89]

I had the exact same problem on my 1998 XLT except it happened on cold starts in cold weather. Is it under warranty? If so take it in. I took mine in for about 5 different problems (God Bless Ford) and they fixed that.

 

[jimbo74]

could be maf or o2

 

[markelp]

Called Ford

Thanks for the response about 00M12. I called the Ford hotline and the Customer Service Rep said it did not apply to my vehicle. Basically, she suggested I take it into the dealer.

Any other ideas?

---Mark

 

[Robert]

Is yours a SOHC 4.0L? If it is, then it is affected by 00M12. The letter to the dealer states that All SOHC Explorers built from Job #1 through 4/7/00 are covered. If yours is the base 160 HP OHV 4.0L then the Ford hotline is correct, yours is not affected.