Engine RPM slowly drops @ idle! suggestions???

[snb778 5,000+ posts]

PROBLEM FOUND!!!... it was the brake booster.. not sure whats wrong with it yet, but its got something to do with it

Hello

I just bought an 01' Escape a few days ago. I was just sitting in the car letting it idle for a little bit, and the RPM's went from idle @ about 1K RPM, then dropped a little under 1K rpm which is normal after idling for a bit

but then it dropped more, then a few seconds later dropped more, then more, then the car was puttering and I rev'ed it up and it went back to 1K RPM@idle, then did the whole cycle over again

is this an electrical problem, or a mechanical problem?? any suggestions??

thanks

Click to read more...

 

[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

did the engine die? if no, then it is probably fine

 

[Cabin_Pressure 10+ year member]

Wouldn't hurt to scan the ODB system. Might show an intermittent sensor problem or incorrect idle adjustment.

 

[Rich B 5,000+ posts]

It could be an idle control valve, but Im not familiar with Fords.

There are probably several Ford specific message boards with people that had your problem.

 

[snb778 5,000+ posts]

did the engine die? if no, then it is probably fine

pretty sure it would have if i didnt rev it up when it started puttering

Wouldn't hurt to scan the ODB system. Might show an intermittent sensor problem or incorrect idle adjustment.

i got the car inspected by an outside party from the dealer... pretty sure he had it hooked up to an ODB scanner. didnt mention anything

I posted on a ford forum.. figured this was a general car problem though... i dunno how much traffic the Ford forum gets though. Just hoping to find the quickest answer

 

[BoxdGM 10+ year member]

Sounds like an IAC problem to me, if its dropping low enough to stumble and die out

 

[tc3k101 5,000+ posts]

Sounds like an IAC problem to me, if its dropping low enough to stumble and die out

if its the iac generally the car wont idle at all but thats if its bad. could be going out.

 

[Walled_Taurus 10+ year member]

I would check alt for the hell of it and resting voltage of the battery. Alt might be almost dead but putting out just enough to keep it from dieing so quickly. Or a sensor would be my guess probably an O2 one. Or try some injector cleaner. But then again im not a mechanic.

 

[snb778 5,000+ posts]

what is the IAC? is it cheap?

edit... nvmd

i'll test voltages tomorrow

 

[WOT]

Coil packs on these cars are NOTORIOUS.

Ive done them in my moms 02 twice now, but its got 150kmiles

Dont know if its related or not, if its not throwing any codes I really have no idea

 

[bunkerking09 10+ year member]

idle sensor?

could be a mass air flow sensor as well...

 

[Walled_Taurus 10+ year member]

Coil packs on these cars are NOTORIOUS.
Ive done them in my moms 02 twice now, but its got 150kmiles

Dont know if its related or not, if its not throwing any codes I really have no idea

Yah true that usually you can get a ford to throw some codes to narrow your search but if its not then ****.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif

 

[Walled_Taurus 10+ year member]

idle sensor?
could be a mass air flow sensor as well...

Thats what I was also thinking thats why I said 02 sensor. But who knows

 

[snb778 5,000+ posts]

Thats what I was also thinking thats why I said 02 sensor. But who knows

wouldn't I have problems getting my car to rev up if it was M.A.F.?

(still no respenses on the ford forum) SO THANKS!

just went to get some food... and i noticed that when i pushed any of the door control buttons, the dash lights flicker real quick, not completely off, just noticeable though... is that normal on older cars? didnt effect the drop in RPM though...

first thing im going to do tomorrow is test the batt voltage, test the ALT voltage, disconnect the - and see if the car stays on, THEN i'll know if its electrical or not for sure

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

idle sensor?
could be a mass air flow sensor as well...

I was thinking the MAF too. Mine did the same thing on me when my MAF started to go out. Then it progressively got worse to the point where my car would stall driving down the road at 60. Replaced the MAF and it runs better than when I bought it.

You can take the car to NAPA. They will do a bench on the battery to test if your charging system is working or not for free.