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View Full Version : Stalling during low speed steering?



DeepSea117
04-13-2007, 12:37 PM
This has probably been the one most frustrating problem I've had, and I couldn't figure out what is after almost two years of having the car.

The car's battery light will turn on right before the stall, and only stepping on the accelerator will save it. (Sometimes it stalls despite gassing it.) This happens during warm or cold weather, car warmed-up or not, night or day. I had my car checked, because a week ago, it had stalled THREE times in a parking lot at night, after sitting for a couple of hours. Always during low-speed turns. The first time this occurred was over a year ago, during stop and go traffic on the freeway. As soon as I tried to switch lanes, the engine stalled (low speed steering happened then too.)

I explained that to the Ford dealership as I left the car overnight. I've stated a couple of times to the supervisor what happened over the past year and a half, and they couldn't find anything wrong. Finally it occurred in front of them, just after the supervisor told me they found no computer codes indicating anything wrong. The mechanic pulled forward out of the stall in a low speed turn (I was watching), and I see him stop. I hear the car start again, and I'm like A-HA! I pointed it out to the supervisor and he had this look of disbelief. He said "we just checked it!" They promised to lend me their "black box" as soon as it gets in.

Anyone have a solution to this? The IAC was replaced about a year ago, but the stalling still happens. Is this because the dealership mechanics don't know what they're doing? This is around the 4th time I'd reported this, and usually during the regular inspections, and each time they said nothing was wrong. It felt good to finallly have it happen to one of their mechanics, in their own lot right before they handed the keys to me.

cyclopsram
04-13-2007, 12:44 PM
Check for frayed wiring harness under the windshield wiper motor above the left cam cover..it was a problem in early build 2003s.

cyclopsram
04-13-2007, 12:45 PM
Clock spring grounding in the steering column when wheel is turned?

DeepSea117
04-13-2007, 12:49 PM
I have an 04, but I'll suggest it. Also, do you mean a grinding sound in the steering column? I can hear some sort of grinding sound when fully-turned.

Marauderjack
04-13-2007, 12:59 PM
I vote.....IAC valve and dirty MAF??:rolleyes:

When you turn the steering wheel it loads the engine with the power steering pump and the IAC is told to let more air in (increase idle speed)....if it is sluggish or sticking you will get a "Searching" idle and a stall.....Happened to me a lot!!:argue:

Unfortunately you cannot clean the IAC valve and must replace it......clean the MAF and reset the EEC by disconnecting the ground terminal on the battery a few minutes.:beer:

Reconnect the battery and in a few driving cycles it will settle down with the adaptive learning feature and should be OK....if not it is something more serious and may be diagnosed at a dealer??:cool:

Good Luck!!

Marauderjack:burnout:

knine
04-13-2007, 02:22 PM
My 2001 Squad sometimes does that, sucks when I'm turning around to catch a speeder or something.

MM_BKK
04-13-2007, 03:44 PM
I have an 04, but I'll suggest it. Also, do you mean a grinding sound in the steering column? I can hear some sort of grinding sound when fully-turned.

My car used to stall every now & then before too. I would suggests, if you haven't done so already to get a TUNE for your car. After I wrote the tune for my car and put in an extra 100 RPM for idle, it has NEVER stalled again. The factory tune sets the idle at about 550-600 RPM in gear. I have my idle set at 700 RPM and it's been rock solid. Of course this trick will only work provided all of your other components have no faults. BTW, when turning the steering wheel all the way to either side, don't hold it against the stops or you'll burn your power steering pump out. That's why you heard the grinding noise. :)

superiorone
04-14-2007, 10:52 AM
I had this problem as well with my Marauder, it is fully stock. This is the problem I had and have not had in since the dealer fixed it.

Check for frayed wiring harness under the windshield wiper motor above the left cam cover..it was a problem in early build 2003s.

ctrlraven
04-14-2007, 03:03 PM
I had the same problem over a 6 month period and it hasn't done it in over a year now. I didn't do anything it just stopped all of a sudden.

cyclopsram
04-14-2007, 03:40 PM
there are two versions of the IAC, and the newer one does not have the exposed return spring ... which I have cleaned successfully many times with carb cleaner a small screwdriver and air...

Marauderjack
04-15-2007, 04:29 AM
I cleaned my MAF sensor Friday and reset the EEC.......AMAZING results!!!:beer:

Rock solid idle and no stalling in Neutral/Park with the A/C off!!:bows: Also it seems to have a bit more mid-range throttle response!!??:rolleyes:

Marauderjack:D

DeepSea117
04-16-2007, 03:01 PM
Yall are awesome, thanks for the responses. I sure do miss this place! I'll update you with the findings hopefully soon.