Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Rough Idle

I have a '96 four banger and it is suffering some serious idle problems. It almost dies when i come to a stop and I have to put it in neutral to keep it from dying at a stop. I have replaced the fuel filter, the PCV valve, air filter and cleaned the small filter located in the air intake box. The CEL was coming on before I replaced everything but after I reset the computer the CEL has not come back on. Could it be the IAC? Would cleaning it help or is it best just to replace it?

Thanks,
Mykul

Did you check your spark plugs?

Just had the same cr@p happen to my 95. Sounds all too familiar (almost dying when coming to a stop, rough idle). Took it to the dealer and they replaced the MAF sensor, O2 sensor, cleaned EGR tubes, carbon flush. Let me ask you this. Have you had the catalytic converter recall done? If so, this may contribute to the problem. It did in my case. So, $900 later my car runs like a top again. Good luck!

Clean the MAF element!!! Works like magic for the cost of a can of carb cleaner and a can of brake cleaner. Shoot it clean with carb cleaner first, then shoot it with brake cleaner to remove all traces of carb cleaner. Try it before you spend a dime replacing ANYTHING.

Mines had the same problems. I had a full tune up (new Motorcraft spark plugs, wires, and fuel filter) done by a mechanic at a quick oil change place. The parts came in a Motorcraft tune-up kit. No more rough idle or engine dying at idling after that.

How do I clean the MAF element?

I cleaned the MAF and I still have the same problem. Though now when I start the engine it revs really high then slowly comes back to a normal idle speed.

when you put it in neutral and it regains it's idle...then you put it back into drive, does it stumble then and want to stall?

if so, you probably have a bad egr valve.

Yeah, it does run fine in neutral and then rough in drive. The check engine light came on about the same time this started happening. Time to pull some codes I guess.

How much does a egr valve cost btw?