Car Question

**wartknight** · 03-19-2008, 08:20 AM

My 94000 mile '02 Taurus had the engine light come on this morning. It starts fine, but kills when I put it in gear. Anyone know what may cause this?

**DaddyMac** · 03-19-2008, 08:24 AM

Just about anything.

My '00 Dakota had the check engine light come on last fall. Gas cap wasn't on tight enough.

Crazy but true.

Edit: Oops, sorry. Didn't catch the part about it killing when you put it in gear. I'll be honest, I know about as much about car maintenance as I do about space shuttle maintenance. If you can somehow get her moving, I suggest Aamco.

**cycopath25** · 03-19-2008, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by wartknight

My 94000 mile '02 Taurus had the engine light come on this morning. It starts fine, but kills when I put it in gear. Anyone know what may cause this?

"Well I’m shopping for a new car, which one’s me? A cool convertible or an SUV. Too bad I didn’t know my credit was whacked, so I driving off the lot in a used sub-compact.F-R-E-E, that spells “free”, credit report dot com baby. Saw their ads on my TV. Thought about goin’ but was too lazy.Now instead of lookin’ fly I’m looking fat, my legs are sticking to the vinyl and my posse’s getting laughed at.F-R-E-E, that spells “free”, credit report dot com baby…"

**wartknight** · 03-19-2008, 08:27 AM

I've had the gas cap problem before, but that hasn't caused it to die when I put it in gear.

**bos** · 03-19-2008, 08:28 AM

This is all I could find. There is a guy in there with a 2000 ford taurus.

96 Taurus Dies When Put In Gear? - Taurus Car Club of America

**ISUAlum2002** · 03-19-2008, 08:31 AM

Idle air control valve is where I'd start.

**wartknight** · 03-19-2008, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by ISUAlum2002

Idle air control valve is where I'd start.

Speak slowly, I know nothing about cars. Where do I find that and what do I do about it?

**ISUAlum2002** · 03-19-2008, 08:37 AM

The idle air control valve is in the throttle body. The throttle body is where the incoming air enters the engine from the rubber intake bellows. The control valve does kinda what its name says, it controls the amount of air that gets into the engine when it is idling. It sounds like the control valve is completely cutting off the supply of incoming air to the engine when you put it in gear. I would pull the valve out and clean it first (it should just have a hex head on it that you can put an adjustable crescent wrench on to loosen from the housing). Then put it back in and see if that helps. If it doesn't, it may end up needing to be replaced. Think its about a $50-60 part.

**c.y.c.l.o.n.e.s** · 03-19-2008, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by DaddyMac

Just about anything.

I'll be honest, I know about as much about car maintenance as I do about space shuttle maintenance.

My '95 Space Shuttle seems to sputter on take off. Then, at about 4000 feet it seems to get worse. It acts like it is not getting enough rocket fuel. Once I reach the stratosphere everything clears up and it orbits just fine. I have checked the timing on the thrusters and cleaned the the pressure valves on the solid rocket booster. I'm stumped. Any help would be appreciated.

**bos** · 03-19-2008, 08:57 AM

Did you check Mr. Fusion? Could be low on garbage.

**Cyclonesrule91** · 03-19-2008, 09:08 AM

Another way to see if it is the Idle air control valve is when you start the car and it is still idling. Turn the AC on full blast as well as the fan. The engine will be under load running the AC pump and alternator and if it has problems staying running with that you know it is most likely the IAC valve.

Otherwise, does it rev up fine when if park or neutral before you put it in gear?

**Phaedrus** · 03-19-2008, 09:10 AM

I think the "Tappet Brothers" just may have to watch out for their CF competition....

**Lenny25** · 03-19-2008, 09:16 AM

Might be a bad Fetzer Valve.

**wartknight** · 03-19-2008, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by Cyclonesrule91

Another way to see if it is the Idle air control valve is when you start the car and it is still idling. Turn the AC on full blast as well as the fan. The engine will be under load running the AC pump and alternator and if it has problems staying running with that you know it is most likely the IAC valve.

Otherwise, does it rev up fine when if park or neutral before you put it in gear?

I will check how it runs with the AC on. It does rev fine in park. Also, if I gun it right after I put it in gear, it stays running. My neighbors have been looking at me funny this morning because I've peeled out a few times testing that one. Kind of fun.

**zumbro clones** · 03-19-2008, 09:23 AM

If you have an AutoZone parts store close by, they do free computer checks.

Assuming you can get it running, take it there and they'll hook up a monitor and tell you what the codes mean.

For my car, I took it there and an oxygen sensor was out.