97 2.3 auto.

sometimes it boggs down and wants to stall. Sometimes it just stalls without warning. If I catch it quick enough, I can stomp the throttle and it'll level out. Sometimes it'll die and not start for a while. It only happens at idle. Usually when I'm at an intersection when the light turns green.

I've replaced IAC (twice), water temp sensor, MAF, PVC and grommet, vacuum lines. Ive Theran fuel cleaner through it. Fuel pressure is within spec, there's spark and it has a fresh tune up.

I pulled the TPS and tested the ohms because unplugging it doesn't seem to effect the motor at all. I'm not sure what the ohm range is supposed to be but it tests between 3.7 and 0.7.

Any help on this would be appreciated because I'm about to set this truck on fire 🔥

 

Welcome to the forum

To test TPS get a sewing needle and Volt meter

Use the needle to pierce the center wire on TPS, while its plugged in

Turn on the key, engine off, ground voltage meter
TPS will get 5 volts from the computer on the top wire
Center wire should send back under 1 volt to computer, with throttle closed, .69-.99 is spec
Open throttle manually and voltage should go up, nice and steady no jumps or drops
At WOT(wide open throttle) voltage should go to 4.5v or higher

Have you tried shifting to Neutral when slowing down and stopping, just wondering if Torque Converter is unlocking everytime

Whats the MPG like?
If its been going down a bit check the Fuel Pressure Regulator(FPR) on the engines fuel rail
If has the Fuel Return line AND a vacuum hose
If FPR starts to leak, raw gasoline is sucked into the engine via that vacuum hose, at idle, high vacuum, that can flood out the engine.
Check the vacuum hose for gasoline or gas smell

 

Thanks RonD
the FPR does smell a little bit like gas but I let it go because the fuel pressure tested okay. I'm just going to replace it.

 

Yes, it wouldn't effect fuel pressure, if was was just leaking a bit

So vacuum hose had gasoline in it?

 

The regulator vacuum hose smelled like fuel. I replaced it. We'll see how my mileage turns out.

I fixed the stalling problem though. When I put the throttle body back on, I replaced that stupid little hose underneath it that goes to what I assume is a charcoal canister. God I hate Ford's. Now to put a cheap eBay turbo on this and see if I can not blow it up.

❤️

 

So I replaced the fuel pressure regulator and that one vacuum line hidden under the throttle body (didn't realize it was there). Truck is running fine now except the fuel economy sucks and every once in a while, it won't start back up after I shut it off. I have to cycle the ignition a few times before it'll fire. Then it runs fine again. sometimes it won't fire and sometimes it'll just die when it idles up after start. Once it's stared, it runs fine.

 

​​​​​​Check your intake manifold to head gasket. They're usually paper and the head Temps get so hot it burns holes in the paper. Mine did the same thing till I got that fixed.