Hey All,
Hope you can help.
The car: 1995 Contour SE V6 Duratech ATX, 70,000 miles.
The problem: It won't idle very well. Specifically, my car normally idles around 750. When it acts up it feels like it surges but RPMs actually drop and the car would stall if I didn't step on the gas. I noticed today that when it does it all my lights etc dim when the RPMs drop. Shutting everything off (ie reducing the electrical load) made no difference.
If I stay on the throttle and keep it running (with my foot on the brake or in neutral) then it really misses until the RPMs get above 1500 and even then it doesn't run 100%.
This was an intermittent problem I had last time it got really cold but today it acted up at every stop light and even when I was going slow trying to park. The problem actually seemed to get worse as the car warmed up.
The car cranks over fine but did take 2 tries to start it this morning (stalled first time). Even so, I am thinking it may be the battery or charging system. I'll be testing them when I get out of work later but wanted to see if anyone else had any other advice while I had internet access.
Other info: In the last 5,000 miles I have changed the coil pack, plug wires, spark plugs (motorcraft single plats), air filter, fuel filter, IMRC solenoid and PVC valve. I have also cleaned the MAF sensor, tested the fuel pressure, and torqueed the UIM bolts to the high end of the specs.
I am thinking battery is my next step. Any reccomendations on brand or other ideas about what might be wrong would be greatly appreciated.
Kyle
