Starting issue.

[maxie91]

Just bought a 99 Explorer Sport, and it won't stay at idle when cold. In Colorado that is a problem, since it's cold here. It will start but immediately stop running unless you keep it running by giving it gas. Once it warms up, there is no problem. I suspect it may by the Idle Air Control Valve, or Throttle Positioning Sensor, or the MAFS. Others have suggested these as the culprit(s). Any thoughts?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 95-01 section. Start with the idle air control.

 

[swetrid]

Intake gaskets or iac valve.

 

[ExcelDominus]

I'm glad you posted this. My 01 sport just started this two days ago...

 

[Chadrax]

In addition to what was suggested above, check the fuel pressure. It may just be by chance that it started happening when it got cold.

 

[maxie91]

Okay so I changed out the IAC on a cold engine. Started it, and it started right up, and remained idling albeit high, since I tweaked the throttle positioning screw to keep it running, I readjusted and it seems to be working fine right now. I ohmed out the TPS to eliminate it as a cause, and when moving the throttle the difference in ohm readouts were steady, so I have at this point eliminated that as the cause. I have checked my oil and there is no water in it, so I don't think it's my manifold. Have not checked fuel pressure, but will do so in the future if problem returns. On another note, I noticed in the various postings that some folks have an issue with their multi-switch. I had a problem where mine was loose. I removed the upper and lower steering column covers, took a wrench to the steering wheel adjusment lever and it twists right off, and then removed the bottom cover, and moved the upper cover up far enough to check the mounting screws for the switch. Found that the bottom screw for the switch was missing and the upper screw was loose, a simple fix at this point. Just thought I would throw out there. Thanks for all of the advice.

 

[maxie91]

ExcelDominus - I put in a new post regarding what I did. I did change out the IAC valve, and like I said it seems to be working, we will see. It was a fairly easy fix, two screws, electrical connector, and a new gasket which comes with the new IAC. My old one did not have a gasket when I took it off, so that may have caused a part of the problem. My IAC was on the top of the engine, underneath the plastic beauty cover. Good luck. If anything else changes I will post. Maxie

 

[ExcelDominus]

ExcelDominus - I put in a new post regarding what I did. I did change out the IAC valve, and like I said it seems to be working, we will see. It was a fairly easy fix, two screws, electrical connector, and a new gasket which comes with the new IAC. My old one did not have a gasket when I took it off, so that may have caused a part of the problem. My IAC was on the top of the engine, underneath the plastic beauty cover. Good luck. If anything else changes I will post. Maxie

I still thank you for bringing it up. I won't have time to look at mine till tuesday at the earliest. Yesterday I went and picked up cleaner after getting the christmas trees so I would have it handy. I'll post my results in case anyone wants to know.

~Scott