# 2007 Ford Focus - Won't keep running

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-ford-focus-wont-keep-running/179132>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** ford\
**Created:** [September 2, 2021, 11:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-ford-focus-wont-keep-running/179132 "2021-09-02T11:29:09Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![LindaTymec](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@LindaTymec](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LindaTymec)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2021, 11:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-ford-focus-wont-keep-running/179132/1 "2021-09-02T11:29:09Z")

</div>

My car starts but wont stay running?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![COROLLAGUY1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/corollaguy1/32/7575_2.png) [@COROLLAGUY1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/COROLLAGUY1)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2021, 11:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-ford-focus-wont-keep-running/179132/2 "2021-09-02T11:42:31Z")

</div>

So? Could be tons of reason for a car that wont stay running. You need to go and see an independant mechanic to troubleshoot the problem.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2021, 7:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-ford-focus-wont-keep-running/179132/3 "2021-09-03T19:44:25Z")

</div>

The next time you go to start the car, hold the gas pedal down slightly.

If the engine starts and keeps running, the Idle Air Control valve is either dirty or defective.

![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/8/e/8ec175e1b36e44ccd494cef75e97d8ab7f04efd8.jpeg)

Tester

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [September 4, 2021, 12:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2007-ford-focus-wont-keep-running/179132/4 "2021-09-04T00:30:02Z")

</div>

Good chance it’s a faulty idle air control mentioned above. Might not be the part itself, instead the electrical control to it. Ask your shop to check for that before replacing the part. Sticking throttle body is another possibility. If none of the above, other ideas, in no particular order

- vacuum leak
- pcv system problem
- ignition system problem, including spark plugs, sensors, etc
- some ignition systems use different circuity for controlling starting vs running. Could be only the running component is faulty.
- fuel system problem, including fuel pump, etc
- engine wear or damage, such as low compression