Fiesta stalling

[PVN]

My daughters 1996 1.25 Fiesta has developed an intermittent stall problem. It normally happens when slowing to a stop. The engine revs drop very low and the alternator warning light flickers on. Sometimes the engine picks up and idles normally but at other times it dies. It starts again immediately but she is a bit concerned about this as it has happened on junctions just as she is about to pull away so could be dangerous.

I suspect a slow running or idle sensor. Has anyone come across this before or have any thoughts?

The car has now done 90,000 miles and just passed its M.O.T. at which time it was serviced. I changed the HT leads a few weeks ago as I thought they might be breaking down.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[Zad]

Sounds to me like the usual symptoms of a sticking Idle Control Valve. Locate it (possibly with the assistance of a Haynes manual) remove it and clean with carb cleaner spray. Make sure the connections are secure and uncorroded too.

[PVN]

Hi Zad,

Many thanks for your reply. I have removed the air control valve and cleaned it and there does seem to be improvement. The revs still fall below 500 but then pick up without stalling. Is this normal for a fiesta?

Apart from spraying carb cleaner down the two holes and wiping round and then cleaning the O rings and mating surfaces is there anything else I can clean there? Does the air control valve actually come apart for cleaning?

Grateful for your help,

Phil

[mafioso]

Teach her to heel and toe. Problem solved!!!

[Zad]

Unfortunately they aren't usually capable of being disassembled. It sounds like the cleaner partly worked anyway. Maybe squirt some more carb cleaner in the holes and leave it soaking overnight.

[motorwise]

they don't usually respond that well to cleaning you may have to just bite the bullet and replace it

good luck