Is it the computer?

Asked by doeye1003 Jan 05, 2013 at 10:25 PM about the 2003 Ford Escape XLT FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My 2003 v6 ford escape seems to be having
a intermittent problem. It will run fine for
weeks and then suddenly won't maintain an
idle when started. I know I'm in for it when
it has trouble starting. It will start but then
dies when I let off the gas. While in park, if I
rev it up to 5 or so, it shakes. It will get me
home if I drive 2 footed to keep the rpms
above 1. After a mile or so it will let me let
take my foot off the gas and brake and drive
normally. The next day when I go to drive it,
it starts and drives normally. It has done this
5 times in the last year. I just had a major
service done with all new filters, hoses, fluids
etc. It ran perfect for them. Today it
happened in front of my dad who is a
machine mechanic. He says he thinks it is
the computer since everything else seems
perfect. Is he right? Suggestions?

1 Answer

177,405

Have the ECU codes read. A good scan tool will detect pending codes that haven't happened enough to trip the CEL. That should get you pointed in the right direction.

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