# Engine 'jumping' when cold **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** escape, ford\ **Created:** [December 7, 2011, 12:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-jumping-when-cold/69879 "2011-12-07T00:23:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KHawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f9b8f/32.png) [@KHawk](https://community.cartalk.com/u/KHawk)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 12:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-jumping-when-cold/69879/1 "2011-12-07T00:23:36Z")
I have a 2001 Ford Escape, and since the colder weather set in it is tacking below 1 and ‘jumping’ when idle. When accelerating and/or once the heat gage has reach midway, the car is fine. I added a bottle of gas additive to the tank 3 weeks back, but the problem persists. The engine light is on but no code is registering. Help/suggestions are much appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![common-sense-answer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/common-sense-answer/32/716_2.png) [@common-sense-answer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/common-sense-answer)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 1:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-jumping-when-cold/69879/2 "2011-12-07T01:44:13Z")
**_I Don’t Know What Condition This Escape Is In Or How Many Miles Are On It. I Don’t Know Anything About Escapes. A Don’t Know If This TSB Referred To Applies And I Don’t Know If This Would Light The CEL, But Set No Codes. I Don’t Know If These Symptoms Are Like Your’s. I Don’t Know If This Is Your Engine Or If This Has Already Been Done To Your’s. I Just Don’t Know._** [http://www.fixya.com/cars/t10374003-need\_replace](http://www.fixya.com/cars/t10374003-need_replace) Maybe you can check 'er out, eh ? May the force be with you ! CSA ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2011, 1:55am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-jumping-when-cold/69879/3 "2011-12-07T01:55:54Z")
I don’t know who or what is reading the codes - but if the check engine light is on then there are codes. A sticky IAC valve as CSA’s link points to is certainly one possibility. But don’t go just guessing.