# 2002 Ford Escape - Starts and then stalls immediately

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-starts-and-then-stalls-immediately/3585>\
**Category:** Power/Fuel\
**Tags:** stall, start, gasoline\
**Created:** [August 24, 2007, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-starts-and-then-stalls-immediately/3585 "2007-08-24T15:31:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![chrism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@chrism](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chrism)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2007, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-starts-and-then-stalls-immediately/3585/1 "2007-08-24T15:31:22Z")

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Normally, my 2002 Ford Escape will turn right over, idle at around 2000+ RPM and then slowly go down to 1000+ RPM. I’ll put it in gear and I’m off  
  
  
  
 Occasionally, I’ll start the engine and then immediately stall. I’ll try to start it again and it will stall. If I start it again and feeding it gas and rev the engine slightly for 5 to 10 seconds at a constant 3500 - 4000 rpm and then slowly let off the gas, it will stall again. On the fourth attempt of rev’ing the engine, it will finally idle at normal speeds.  
  
  
  
 This only happens about once a week, but is concerning.  
  
  
  
 I’m assuming something with the fuel injection. This has been happening for about the last 10,000 miles or so and I try to put fuel injector cleaner in it almost after every oil change. Any thoughts on what this might be?

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**Author:** ![Roadrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@Roadrunner](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Roadrunner)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2007, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-starts-and-then-stalls-immediately/3585/2 "2007-08-24T16:29:49Z")

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Possible MAF sensor fault or a dirty throttle body.

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**Author:** ![87\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/8/f14d63/32.png) [@87\_Ranger](https://community.cartalk.com/u/87_Ranger)\
**Post date:** [August 24, 2007, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-starts-and-then-stalls-immediately/3585/3 "2007-08-24T17:41:10Z")

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It’s probably a sludged up IAC/idle air control valve.

If so a good cleaning will probably cure this.

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**Author:** ![chrism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@chrism](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chrism)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2007, 1:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2002-ford-escape-starts-and-then-stalls-immediately/3585/4 "2007-08-27T13:58:47Z")

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Thanks, guys. Are either of these something an amateur can take on?