1996 Mercury Mystique 2.0L stalling

maybe because the switch is off. if your vehicle is equipped with one go ahead and push it in and the ligth will go out.

watch this video ,, it sure helped me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwlruD4JXmY&feature=relmfu

Hello,


Something that you may want to check, or have checked is the, ( MAF ), " mass air flow ", sensor.
Some of the symptoms are, bad idle, loss of engine's power, stalling, and eventually preventing the
engine from starting, especially in cold weather.

This is usually easy to check;
This sensor is usually located in the air intake duct system, ( the duct system that the air filter is in )
between the air filter and the engine. Most have a plug with 4 or 5 wires. Very carefully disconnect
the plug. If the engine doesn't start either remove the battery cables and clean them very good, or try to jump start the engine. Once the engine is running leave the plug off and go for a short test drive to see if you notice the engine performing better.

You can drive while this is disconnected, but try not to do that too long. It can cause other sensors
to trigger the, " check engine light ", and over a longer period of time can damage the catalytic
converter.

Some handy people go to a parts store and get, " mass air flow ", cleaner. It does seem to work well, but you have to follow the instructions very closely.

I hope this helps you.

FORD: 1995-96 CONTOUR, CROWN VICTORIA, ESCORT, TAURUS, THUNDERBIRD
1996 MUSTANG LINCOLN-MERCURY: 1995-96 CONTINENTAL, COUGAR, GRAND MARQUIS, MARK VIII, MYSTIQUE, SABLE, TOWN CAR, TRACER LIGHT TRUCK: 1995-96 AEROSTAR, BRONCO, ECONOLINE, F-150-350 SERIES, RANGER, WINDSTAR
1996 EXPLORER This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to include the 1995 4.6L Thunderbird/Cougar. ISSUE: After a 1-4 hour engine soak time, long crank times and/or long crank to start followed by a stall may occur on some vehicles. No further stalling or rough idle will occur after the engine is running. The long crank and/or stall may be due to the Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve sticking.
ACTION: Replace the IAC Valve with a revised IAC Valve if no Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) are present. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.
SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Perform normal diagnostics and correct any DTCs as required by referring to the appropriate year Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) Service Manual.
2. If no codes are present, replace the IAC Valve by referring to the appropriate model/year Service Manual, Section 03-14. Refer to the following Idle Air Control Valve Application Chart for proper IAC usage.
   
   IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE APPLICATION CHART Model Year Vehicle Engine Revised Part Number PASSENGER CARS 1995 Escort/Tracer 1.9L F5DZ-9F715-BA 1996 Escort/Tracer 1.9L F6CZ-9F715-BB 1995 Contour/Mystique 2.5L F5RZ-9F715-AB 1996 Contour/Mystique 2.5L F6RZ-9F715-AA 1996 Taurus/Sable 3.0L 4-Valve F5DZ-9F715-DA 1995 Taurus/Sable 3.0L 2-Valve F5DZ-9F715-EA 1996 Taurus/Sable 3.0L 2-Valve F6DZ-9F715-DA 1995 Taurus SHO 3.2L F6DZ-9F715-CA 1996 Taurus SHO 3.4L F6LZ-9F715-AC 1995 Taurus/Sable 3.8L F68Z-9F715-EA 1995 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis/Town Car 4.6L 2-Valve F5PZ-9F715-AA 1996 Crown Victoria/Grand Marquis/Town Car/Mustang 4.6L 2-Valve F6AZ-9F715-EB 1996 Mustang 4.6L 4-Valve F65Z-9F715-BC 1995-96 Continental 4.6L 4-Valve F5OZ-9F715-AB 1995 Mark VIII 4.6L 4-Valve F3LZ-9F715-AA 1996 Mark VIII 4.6L 4-Valve F6LZ-9F715-AC 1995 Thunderbird/Cougar 4.6L 2-Valve F5PZ-9F715-AA 1996 Thunderbird/Cougar 4.6L 2-Valve F6AZ-9F715-EB LIGHT TRUCKS 1995-96 Ranger 2.3L F5OZ-9F715-AB 1995-96 Ranger 3.0L F67Z-9F715-AA 1995 Aerostar 3.0L F68Z-9F715-DA 1996 Aerostar 3.0L F69Z-9F715-AA 1995-96 Windstar 3.0L F68Z-9F715-DA 1995 Windstar 3.8L F68Z-9F715-EA 1996 Windstar 3.8L F68Z-9F715-CB 1995-96 Econoline/F-150-350 Series/Bronco 4.9L F68Z-9F715-EA 1996 Explorer 5.0L F67Z-9F715-BA

a vacuum leak on the engine somewhere can cause this symptom

Check the timing belt.

I am a Ford tech (35 years) and this is the cause of the problem in about 90% of the cars I see with this problem.
Here are some of the causes of surges, stalls at stops, slow idle speed, erratic idle speed, rough idle and engine hesitation (and other problems), it is in most cases the idle speed control air-bypass valve and or throttle valve and upper intake, these area's get full of gunk and combustion residue over the miles and cause idle issues (stalls, low idle) like yours, Get a can of intake cleaner from any local parts store, not carb spray, intake cleaner, it is made by a company called CRC, remove the air intake hose to the engine, hold the idle high so the engine won't stall, then spray the can of cleaner into the intake while keeping the engine running, use at least 1/2 the can, shut down the engine and disconnect the battery for 5 minutes, then restart and complete a number of mixed driving cycles, town, freeway, stop and go etc., after a few days the problem will go away as the system will relearn to the clean intake.

sounds like the head gasket is no good.pressure is getting into the coolant and overpressurising the resevoir.
if coolant is in the oil,low oil pressure triggered the oil light and check engine trigger results from lost compression.
a compression test will tell you.take a look at the coolant,is there oil in it?

plugged valve body, not allowing to shift down automatically try putting trans-x in the transmission

Check for vacuum leaks.You can spray starting fluid around all parts of the intake.Observe idle as you do.If there is a leak the engine rpm will race higher.Also listen for hissing noise.Is the check engine light on?..If so what codes are stored..Good Luck!!!