car shuts off sometimes after putting it in drive

Good morning.

There is an idle ir control on top of the motor that was a very common failure for this exact issue. I attached pictures and procedure for you to view. It is a very easy repair.

Roy

Procedure.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.

NOTE: When the battery has been disconnected or reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 16 km (10 miles) or more to relearn the strategy.

2. Disconnect the engine control sensor wiring from the Idle Air Control (IAC) valve at the IAC valve electrical connector.
3. Remove the two IAC valve retaining bolts.
4. Remove the IAC valve and gasket.

INSTALLATION
1. Clean IAC valve gasket mating surfaces.

NOTE: If scraping is necessary, be careful not to damage IAC valve gasket surface or drop material into intake manifold or throttle body (depending upon application).

2. Follow removal procedure in reverse order.
3. Tighten the IAC valve retaining bolts to 8-12 Nm (71-106 lb-in).

Thank you very much . Did you ever have a Ford Taurus that gave you the same problems as mine is giving me ?

Yes, I had 3 Windstar's and have repaired hundreds of them for this exact issue.

You are welcome.

Roy

Too bad you didn’t live here. I don’t feel confident enough trying to do that myself even as easy as it may be for you to do . I will take it to the local mechanic . It shouldn’t take more than a half an hour to fix, right?

Yes, that is exactly what it pays. 2 bolts and an electrical connection and off it comes. The new one just bolts up and you go.

Roy

That's great. If you don't mind, I'll show mechanic what you said.

Not a problem at all.

Roy

Oh yes. Why does it just do it sometimes? I don't need any new parts do I?

It sticks.

Yes, you need to replace the idle air control valve. You can get it at any parts store or go to rockauto.com and they have it as well.

Roy

Where are you? I'm in Alberta, Canada here so AutoValue should have it.

I am in Pa. on the east coast.

Rock auto attached.

So if it happens again before I get it replaced, what do I to to get it going correctly again? Just re-start it like it did?

Yep, just start it back up and continue.

Roy

I picked up a new IAC valve (gasket included), too it to a mechanic. It took them 10 minutes to change it the gasket and didn't charge me a dime..

But I realty appreciate your help as I had absolutely no idea what was wrong.

You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy

I was hoping the IAC valve (now replaced) was the problem. But just today when I put it in drive, it quit again. I put in in drive and it wouldn't start (not even a click), so I tried it again trying to pull the gear shift a little more to the left and it started, but kinda scary. .just not knowing what would make it do that. Starter? I do not know. Any ideas? Thank you much.

Do you mean the engine will not crank when you try to start the car?

Roy

Yes, that is correct. Just happened once, but kinda scary. So I tired it again, and it started after I pulled the gear shift a little to the left.. It didn't seem to move much more to the left (already being in park) and I do not know if that made any difference, but it did start the second time I tried. Does that makes sense? Do I make sense?

Thanks for the quick reply btw.

It could be the neutral safety switch. That is what you are moving by changing the shifter location. The PCM needs to see park or neutral before allowing the relay to pass current to the starter.

Roy

How can I check that (neutral safety switch)? Or do I have to take it to a mechanic? I wonder if there's a way even I could troubleshoot it? I haven't tried it in neutral. Should I? Thanks a lot.

Yes, try it in neutral and see if it starts.

You would need a voltmeter and someone to help you while you check voltages.

Roy

I have a multi-meter but to be honest, don't know how to use it. Sorry. I don't even know where that switch is. Thanks for your expertise.

It is on top of the transmission.

It may be better if you had someone check it for you.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Roy

If started in neutral so I put it in park and then I went to roll up the windows, Then I realized I had no power at all. I even had locked the doors manually. What do you think that is ?

I opened the hood, tried to move both battery cables even just a little bit. I couldn’t feel any movement from either of them, but all of a sudden I heard a beep beep beep to indicate that the key was in the ignition. So I quickly rolled up the windows, And there it sits

You need to clean the battery cables. Follow the guide I posted below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Roy

I took the car in to a shop that deals with automotive battery issues. As soon as I started the car to take it there, it did the same thing. Put it in drive, gave it a little bit of gas, and it (the electrical) died. I restarted it right away and limped it to the battery shop. They told me there was nothing wrong with the battery or the connections. So what do I do now? Thank you

Did you ask them to check the reason for stalling for you?

You would need to take it to another shop and have them check it for you.

Roy

No, I didn't ask them to check the reason for stalling. I will have to take it to a mechanic I guess. You can't suggest any other steps I can do other than that I don't spose, eh?

You need to have someone check it for you. Just let them check it and then let know the results.

Roy

What things should I ask them to check? Sorry I seem to be so naive about this. I really appreciate your service tho.

Tell them to drive it and let them do there tests and tell you what is wrong.

Let them do there job.

Roy

Okay, thanks again. I will let you know.

I have the car booked in for an OBD2 scan. Will it give a code if the ICV (ignition control valve) is faulty?

Yes, if you have a failed component, it will code.

Roy

good. I wonder if my 1987 RX-7 has an OPD port?

If you mean OBD port, no, it does not.

There is a connector that has to be accessed and you need an OBD1 scan tool to hook up to it.

Roy

It's in the shop now. They're going to do an OBD2 scan on it. Do you think that will tell them what's wring even if it doesn't stall when they have it?