My Explorer has a low idle & stalls.

[BRG]

Hey all, that first screen is a pain.... anyway I've just bought a 04 Explorer xlt with the 4.0 l and was hoping all was well... but it seems that I have just inherited the " low idle rpm with the stall " problem and I will have to search out this new website and hopefully find the problem before the local dealer takes me for a ride. Thanks for listening..later

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome brg

 

[Joe Dirt]

What the heck is up with all of the "welcome screen is a pain" posts? Honestly- is it that hard to just say hi?

<off soapbox>

Welcome

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've renamed, and moved your thread to the stock 2002-2005 section. Clean or replace the IAC solenoid.

 

[BRG]

mayby more info required

To start ... 2004 4.0 l sohc 147000 km new to me- no service records. Ok I have searched almost all the threads here and ther seems to be an endless supply of knowledge out there. Some of it is confusing for me as this is my first attempt to get into the newer engines. Somewhere on these forums it was stated that the 04 does not have an IAC. I am going to be getting deeper into this as the explorer suddenly stalled going around the corner and if it hadn't had done it before and I was ready for it - I would have crashed as the power steering and brakes lost all power as well. Is there a good repair book out there? Chiltons vs Haynes or others? Since this problem seems to have been around for some time is there a standard procedure that people are using to diagnose this? First vacuum hoses, second IAC, third MAF, fourth get updated flash....etc.? Thanks in advance for all responces.

 

[youngexplorer48]

I might be on the same boat...

im new to this forum also and i am having the same problem with my truck, when im sitting at red lights it stumbles a bit and wants to die but doesnt, and the other day i was backing out of the driveway and as i was almost out the truck just died but thats the only time that it actually died, just stumbles horribly just about at every light

 

[slaughterrt]

Dry-rotted vacuum hoses were a problem for me a few years back. The hoses were so weak that the vacuum pressure nearly completely collapsed the hoses and cut off air supply. Check for weak hoses. They are a cheap enough fix anyway.

 

[BRG]

So, I will keep you informed as to what is going on as this problem seems to be quite common. I have talked to the local dealer and I'm going to go in on Monday to at least check any codes and get the latest pcm flash. I asked about the IAC and he said that he lists one.... I for the life of me cannot find it ... it is not on the throttle body as he says it is... I will keep all informed. I am new to this but I am ready to learn.

 

[jmorristn]

get some spray sea foam cleaner and clean the air valve in the throttle body. you'll be surprised at how much black crude can build up on it and how it will not let the valve close completely for proper idle and air mixture.

 

[BRG]

problem solved???

Just want to close this thread as I replaced and gapped new spark plugs, installed new air filter, cleaned MAF, and REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER!!! Man the fuel filter was dirty... if you have not done this I Highly recommend it. (thanks for the info on how to do it) I took the EX into the dealer on Monday and had no codes but they did update my PCM. Everything seems to be running much better... I will wait and see. BTW 04 4.0l engines do not have IAC's . Thanks Again to all that helped this is a great site.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update!

 

[tonydp]

what was the plug gap when you took them out? hard to tell what the specifc problem was since it was all done at once.

 

[BRG]

I would tend to believe that the plugs had never been changed as the electrodes were worn down... I did not check the gap but I'm positive that it had increased a fair amount. The truck does seem to run much better now with the idle rpm up approx. 100 rpm (as per on dash tach). I don't notice as much hesitation when you give it gas when starting out from a dead stop. I hope I have found the problem.

 

[High_Order1]

And,

again... there is no IAC per se. These engines are throttle by wire. The IAC is built into the engine control management software. The software tips the plate as required. No mechanical solenoid exists*


-Shawn

* Except for the rare Elbonian military version explorer (in other words, there's always an exception)

 

[derocheda]

Rough Idle and Stalling issues

I have a 03 Explorer XLT 4x4 4.0L 103,000 miles. I have had this issue ever since I had the 100,000 Mile Maintenence done. The primary thing the Ford Dealer did was change my plugs and wires. They said everthing else checked out fine so I didn't need it. I have brought it back to the local Ford Dealer twice for a Computer Firmware update as well as the IAC Replacement, I tried a couple of things myself sprayed Sea Foam Cleaner and Cleaned the Air Valve in the Throttle Body, Replaced all hoses that I could with new ones. I get no bad codes on the tester or any dash lights such a check engine. Is there anything else that can be done.

 

[tonydp]

I am in the same boat as you, i even got the engine smoked. All i have left to do before i give up is the IAC and the temp control sensor. BTW, You USA guys got it good. i ordered my IAC from Ford dealer in Mich shipped to Ontario for $40 all in. Here they want $90 before the 13% Tax.

I noticed mine idles fine until the temp gauge reaches half way - what sensors/mechanic would be involved at that point? O2?