PLEASE HELP! Major Starting Problem on my 2000 Explorer Limited!!!

[Ashley2002s]

I would appreciate ANY HELP! I'm at my wits end. I recently bought my first Ford, a Ford Explorer Limited 4.0 4X4 4 door (2000). I had no problems with it for quite a while, but lately I've been having major starting problems. Sometimes it will start with NO problem, it turns right over. But every now and then (now almost everyday) when I turn the key the car starts AS LONG AS I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS. When I take my foot off the gas it immediatly dies. When it dies the check engine light, check gage, and battery light comes on. Sometimes if I keep pressing the gas and reving it up, I can get it to stay started, but I don't want to do any more damage to the engine. Once it is started, if I drive even just a few feet, and then put it in park, it will idle for hours. Also, once it has started and been driven, say to the store or work, if I go to start it within an hour or so, it starts right up. However, if I leave it for over 4 hours, it will pull the same thing. I used to have a problem while driving, the check engine light would blink for about 8 secs and then go off and the car would stutter, but never die. That completely stopped after I replaced the fuel filter. I have no idea what to do! I have taken it to Ford twice (at 85 dollars a pop) and they keep telling me nothing is wrong. And because it only does it once and awhile they told me that my only option is to keep letting them check it for $85!!! I am a full time student with a full time job and I have no more money to put into this! Not for "nothing's wrong with it" answers anyways.
I have replaced my fuel filter, my fuel pump, my spark plugs, my spark plug wires, changed my oil, my oil filter and put a can of Fuel injector cleaner into the tank, and checked my gas tank (it's totally clean). I'm lost! Someone PLEASE, PLEASE help me! Any ideas would be Great!
Thanks so much!!!
Ashley

 

[KPT]

IAC would be my guess. I don't think theres a way to test it aside from replacing it though.

 

[Robb]

My first guess would be IAC also.

If you have an AutoZone locally, take it by there and get them to read your OBDII codes. This is a free service. The fact that your check engine light (CEL) has come on in the past can help you diagnose this problem.

 

[merc2dogs]

IAC would be my guess. I don't think theres a way to test it aside from replacing it though.

generally if it clicks when power is applied to it, (two jumpers from the battery, or a seperate power supply) it's good, and he should try cleaning it. if it doesn't, then odds are the coils burned out, or the leads to it are shorted or not getting power for some other reason. check the coil with a ohm meter, if the coils burned out, check the wires and voltage going to it anyway, and make sure the valve works right. there was a reason it went out.

merc.

 

[Golfmore]

Look here.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166103

 

[Ashley2002s]

Thanks!

I will defanitly try to have that tested at my local Auto Zone! I really hope that will solve it! I do have another question though. I really only know basics of my car and how to repair it, so what exactly is an IAC? What does it do? Thanks again! I really do appreciate everyones help! I can't believe how fast everyone responded! Thanks again!
Ashley
P.S I will try to keep you updated after I get it checked out!

 

[TPLYNCH]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84220&highlight=replace+IAC