Poor idling and stalling

Laiders · Dec 16, 2008

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I've just recently bought a 04 plate Focus C Max 1.8 Zetec. Got 60K on it with a full service history.

I'm getting an intermittent problem when starting up the car. It starts but revs immediately drop to 500rpm and the engine sounds like it's going to stall. If I dab the accelerator the car stalls but if I put down the accelerator for a couple of seconds it pauses then revs up past 1000 rpm then appears to be all ok.
However if the car starts this way then whenever the car is moving and I put in the clutch the revs drop to 500rpm and bounces around for a few seconds then usually go back to 750rpm (which I where I think there are supposed to be normally). Strangely this doesn't happen if the car is stationary. I can have as much electrical stuff on as possible and revs never drop below 750 rpm. Steady as a rock.

Also after a short journey the car can stall when started without the idling saga. But I've done a couple of longer trips and it seems after driving for about 25 mins the car drives fine. No probs with idling or stalling. It's not linked to very cold or wet days either. It was freezing the other day and it started and worked fine all day.

I've taken it back to the local car dealer where I got it from and they said they have replaced the alternator and battery. I'm a bit suspicious about this as the battery doesn't look new when I lifted the battery cover the other day and they have told me that the 2 occasions they've had it the fault didn't occur. So only got their word they've changed both bits.

I have seen a few people on other forums with problems like this but they don't seem to have provided an update at the end of the thread as to how/whether it was fixed. I've just noticed that another member of this forum had the same problem and PM'd them but doesn't look like they've logged back in since early November.

Any advice or help most appreciated.

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Richard G · Dec 18, 2008

I think a check for any fault codes is the first point and a check for a sticking EGR valve may be another

If you can get it on an emissions rig to check just what the idle fueling is doing. Im wondering if a switch on either the throttle body or the accelerator pedal is not registering that the throttle is shut (I've presumed it is Petrol & not Diesel)

Laiders · Dec 19, 2008

Thanks for the reply Richard.

We have spoken to the garage again and agreed to bring it down to them the next time its playing up and they'll stick the diagnostics on it then as when they've had it before there have been no fault codes.

Was going to try and check the EGR valve but without a manual I'm not 100% sure where it is. Is there any source I can use like the normal Ford Focus Haynes manual as can't find anything for the C Max which is strange judging by the amount I see on the road.

And yes you're correct it's a 1.8 petrol Zetec.

Cheers

Richard G · Dec 20, 2008

for an 04 plate model the TIS DVD that Ford produced should cover most things
These come up on eBay for not a lot (lesss than £10 usually) and are probably the best bet

Laiders · Jan 20, 2009

Car has been to a Ford dealer for ECU software update. Still playing up so it's going back on Thursday. Glad the garage is paying for all of this.

Poor idling and stalling

Laiders

Richard G

Laiders

Richard G

Laiders

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