Intermittent Stalling

akolodny

New Member
Jun 16, 2007
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Dear Mustang Enthusiasts,
My 97 Cobra with around 110,000 miles runs great! EXCEPT...every now and then, when I am exiting an interstate or some other run at speed, say 5th gear, the engine stalls as I decelerate. I just turn the key, and the big V8 roars back to life...What does this sound like?
Thanks, Alan
 
Does it happen more often in the summer? sometimes mine stalls if the A/C compressor kicks on right as the RPMs are bouncing low from a putting in the clutch after a huge RPM drop... like for some reason it bounces too far below the idle setting and the drag of the compressor shuts it off.... its a real PITA when you clutch-in to take a turn and the car dies and you lose power steering on 275s.
 
Thank you Hobbes80 for your response! It actually seems to be happening more in the winter, when the AC compressor is off. Come to think of it though, I recall the engine almost dying when I backed out of the garage...as if the RPMs dipped too low coming from a higher RPM fuel injected warm up rev. I wonder if this is not some kind of idle control module on the fritz??
-alan
 
I found the following on the net. Also, we've been having a check engine light issue associated with the manifold. The car is running so great that we have chosen not to address it at this point. I wonder if that is creeping into this stalling equation..
Fuel Injection Stalling Problems

On fuel injected engines, stalling can be caused by anything that upsets the air/fuel mixture. This includes vacuum leaks or unmetered air entering the intake manifold downstream of the airflow sensor, a faulty throttle position, MAP or oxygen sensor, dirty fuel injectors, or low fuel pressure to the injectors (weak fuel pump, faulty fuel pressure regulator or restricted fuel filter). Like older carbureted engines, a defective thermostat may be preventing the engine from warming up quickly or reaching normal operating temperature. Or, a defective coolant sensor may be telling the PCM the engine is colder (or warmer) than it really is. Any of these conditions can upset the fuel calibration of the engine and cause a problem.

Idle Speed Control Circuit

One of the most common causes of stalling on fuel injected engines is the idle air control (IAC) solenoid or idle speed control (ISC) motor. If the idle speed control device fails to provide the correct idle speed, the engine may die when you slow down or come to a stop. In many cases, the idle control solenoid or motor is gummed up with carbon and fuel varnish deposits. Cleaning the idle port in the throttle body, and the IAC or ISC valve with aerosol throttle cleaner can often solve the stalling problem. If the situation is not improved after cleaning, however, the IAC solenoid or ISC motor may have to be replaced. Check the connector to the device to make sure the connector is not loose or corroded.
 
thanks for the link.

I think you adjust the idle up just by adjusting a screw on the throttle body... but at this point I'm beginning to talk out of my ass, so I will leave it to those more knowledgeable... it happens to me infrequently enough that I just put up with it.