Dies on Idle...

[MatthewDavid]

I asked this before in another thread but I'm just curious what might cause it... I know it's an typical thing for the 4.6L... but it's kinda annoying... my 97' mark dies at least once a day... which isn't I guess all that bad but we don't really drive it all that much... and it's died a couple times in really scary situations like trying to cross a busy intersection... what causes it to die?... it idles perfectly fine then all of a sudden nothing... thanks for the help again... and again... and again... oh yeah and happy holidays

 

[MonsterMark]

Get yourself a new IAC (Intake Air Control) valve and live a life of bliss.

Available at most any auto store.

Lucky for you you have a 2nd Gen.
5 minute fix compared to 5 days for the Gen 1 guys.

 

[MatthewDavid]

Sweat peanuts... that's the little metal cylinder in the center of the intake manifold right?... I saw a pic of what it looks like on a gen 1 I believe... if it is that it's only got one clip and two screws holding it down... I took it off to look at it... it's got A LOT of carbon built up inside... pretty black...

can you just clean it?... put it in a parts washer after cleaning it with some brake cleaner or seafoam?... just wondering... I know it's not that expensive... and you guys say go with the motocraft one right?

 

[JoeyLincolnMK8]

You can clean it, but it is highly recommended to just replace it w/ a new one.

 

[NYC LS8]

I had that problem once. Cleaned the IAC, then replaced it (first gen...pain in the BALLS) and it still died out after a few minutes. No codes, no nothing. Turned out that after putting in a new oil pan and messing with the AC compressor, the crank sensor wiring was rubbing on the AC compressor pulley and shorting out.

Might not be your problem, but thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[slowmkviii]

Just clean it
I have done this on a few 4.6 motors never had a problem after cleaning

 

[JoeyLincolnMK8]

NYC brought up a very good point. It could very well be the crank sensor. I would replace the sensor first to see if that resolves your issue.

 

[MatthewDavid]

Where's the crank sensor at?...

 

[JoeyLincolnMK8]

Near the crank pulley.

 

[NYC LS8]

Where's the crank sensor at?...

It's right near the AC compressor going into the block. I believe it's a two wire connector. Sometimes if the connector's clip is broken, the connector will back off the sensor. Just have a look and push the connector on and see if that does anything.