Expert: Sean Halliday - 1/4/2007

Question
Hello:

We have a 2001 Ford Taurus which occasionally will act like it wants to stall out when stopping at an intersection.  The RPM's will drop on the tachometer from just under 1000-to 200 to 300 for a few seconds, and the car will shake moderately.  About one time out of 20, the car will stall and have to restart, but the rest of the time will idle at 200-300 RPM for 2-3 seconds and then will reset and idle at just under 1000.  

If pushing on the gas pedal during this phase, car will lack power for the same time period, and then acellerate normally.

Any ideas?

Thanks so much in advance.

JB

Answer
Lots of causes,EGR valve,o2 sensor,leak at the vacuum system or ISC,idle speed control motor or solenoid.So you have somewhere to start.Most cases is the egr valve check to see if its working by removing the vacuum from the valve when the cars runing.