[Windshieldbandit]

Hey guys, please read the whole thing, it may help you figure it out. Okay, here's a problem for you guys i've been having for about 3 months now, ( I know i know, Should have been fixed a looong time ago, but time and money was an issue.) 2000 Ford Focus ZX3 with about 111,500 miles on it. Upon starting, hot or cold temperatures, isn't fixed when engine warms up, sits at about 3000 to 4000 RPM's (varies on each start but never starts normally.) Eventually after perhaps 10 seconds, once again varies upon start, will go down to an idle of 1100 RPM's. It will not go any lower. When driving, it shifts fine but when you release the gas, it hangs (sometimes surges up a bit) then goes down to an idle of approx. 1400-2000 RPM's. Then, right before you completely stop, it surges forward and the brake most of the time feels as if it wouldn't stop the car in an emergency. (due to the high RPM's I assume. I have to anticipate my stops WAY ahead, and plan for that surge so I don't rear-end anyone. and I've had to put it to the floor many times. The idle will go back down to 1100 RPM's (no lower, EVER) once you completely stop. Also, when you have your foot off the gas, car will accelerate. For example, I was driving today and released my foot off the gas at 20 MPH. By the end of the street, (200-300 yards) I was going 40 MPH, all on it's own. HELP?! also on a side note, this BLOWS as it ruins my gas mileage.

Things I have tried/replaced etc.

- Checked the MAF, swapped it out for an identical working focus, and cleaned it (last night)
- Replaced air filter with a K&N filter
- Cleaned out the throttlebody with seafoam, then afterwards with Valvoline TB/Carb cleaner. Didn't flood it either.
- Removed IACV (A feat unto it's own[vommit] ) and cleaned it with CRC Electrical parts cleaner. (I did not flood it, merely sprayed some in, let it sit and wiped it out. I was very dirty, obviously. I repeated this probably 10 times before I was satisfied and let it dry under a light for about 18 hours. (Patience is a bitch) lol
- Replaced spark plugs with motorcraft platinum plugs. I had bought Bosch's but before I put them in, I checked here and saw the problems everyone has with them so I went and exchanged them. No dirt got in the cylinders and i applied dielectric grease the all the connections and cleaned the wires. I will be replacing them with focussport wires once they arrive.
- Replaced the TPS Sensor. Very interesting fact. When the problem originated, my genius ^_^ roommate told me right off the bat to go out and buy a new TPS sensor. Which I did. 50 bucks later, I am almost positive that it was the wrong one, or wasn't meant for my throttlebody, or needed an updated pigtail. Because when I put the new one in, the problems got so much worse, car would hang at 5000 or 6000 when put in neutral or park and not go down until car was shut off. And it would slip in every gear. Also I had NO power when I had that one in. My acceleration was pathetic. I really didn't put two and two together until a month ago, when i decided to replace the one I had bought with my old one. The slipping disappeared and the revs were a little better, but definitely NOT fixed by any means of the word. I also swapped a TPS out of my brother's 2000 Manual Focus, with generally the same issues.

Some last bits of info/questions.

- I have a new PCV to put it in but im really hesitant to pull off what I think is the right hose because I'm not sure if it is and it really doesn't seem like it wants to come off.
- CEL was on until today. (might still come back on, just put the battery back on today after cleaning the IACV and ran and drove it for about 20 mins and let it idle by itself afterwards for about another 20 minutes. It has been throwing the P1506 code (IACV?!)

One last thing, When car is put in park or neutral it revs and hangs like it always does, but takes a lot longer for it to go back down. MAYBE a vacuum issue? where are all my vac lines so I can replace them all, bad or not. But why would I be throwing the P1506 code? Car runs the same with the IACV thoughly cleaned. I would just go buy a new IACV but they are a crapload of clams and I don't want to go and spend 200+ on part that doesn't cure my problem.

Okay, that is my majorly irritating problem. Laid out in black and white., and if you guys can't figure it out, I don't know who can, besides the obvious.
Thanks in advance! my faith is the gearheads of Focus Fanatics! [thankyou] [ffrocks]

 

[NAD23ZX3]

It does sound like a vacuum issue, PCV valves/hoses are generally the culprit. But I would also check the TPS.

 

[Windshieldbandit]

[rolleyes] UPDATE: Check engine ligh back on, I'll check to see if it's going to be the same code again, probably will. Also I forgot to mention that I had the oil/transmission fluid changed a couple of days ago. MAN It looked like charcoal being sucked out of my lines. Glad I did that [rolleyes]

 

[djmontara]

i also think you have vacuum leak.. either the vacuum hoses coming off the manifold or the PCV hoses... could also be a vacuum leak around your throttle body or even a leak at the manifold. though having said that, do u have a lean code set?

 

[Windshieldbandit]

Nope the computer hasn't been messed with ever, and the only code I get is p1506. and if it is a vacuum leak, why am I getting this code? Additionally, WHERE the hell is the PCV valve? (Good pictures anyone?) and other vaccum hoses? I have brand new blue vacuum hoses I can change them out with. But im afraid im going to pull a liquid line or something lol

UPDATE: Went to the U-Pull-it yard yesterday and picked up one for about 5 bucks. Just got done installing it, Have to wait for the liquid gasket to cure, about another half hour to go.

 

[ZX3 Freak]

Well, I had a problem similar to yours. It was the the TPS. The thing was junk, so I replaced it. No more surging idle.

 

[ArcticMynx]

heres the breakdown of that CE code

as mentioned down at the bottom while running on idle disconnect the IAC from its harness and see if the rpms change


------------------
P1506 - Idle Air Control (IAC) Overspeed Error This DTC is set when the PCM detects engine idle speed that is greater than the desired rpm. IAC circuit short to GND
Damaged IAC valve
IAC valve stuck open
Vacuum leaks
Failed EVAP system
Damaged PCM
Disconnect IAC valve and look for little or no change in engine rpm as an indication of a stuck or damaged valve.

 

[chefster]

ok , had same prob...it was a bad hot wire connection at battery...check all your connects.

 

[gpgjerry]

I'm having the exact same problem with my 2000 Ford Focus. Changed the IAC, TPS, PCV valve Checked for vacuum leaks, cleaned the throttle body, and intake manifold. I picked up this car cheap because it sat up for a year or so. The owner didn't say anything about any throttle problems..
any Ideas??

 

[amc49]

'The owner didn't say anything about any throttle problems.'

Likely because you caused them. Or because he did and left that out, why does a useable car sit unused?

If an automatic trans then you likely have the wrong TPS. Past that vacuum leaks and what all that work does when not done correctly. You guys never find the leaks but you always say you looked. The PCV hose is a known problem on them, can't say because you said nothing about which motor. The TB often is too once somebody removes it and IAC right there the same way.

Your fix is in easily a hundred places on this site. Search.

 

[gpgjerry]

Thanks, amc49 my vehicle is a 2000 Ford Focus ZX3 with the 2.0L motor. The seller of the car didn't say anything about any problems. Driving it home is when I found out that it was accelerating on its own. I thought for sure I was going to burn out the brakes before making it home. After researching what the problem could be, the Idle Air Control Valve was the most likely resolution found. When that did not make a difference I picked up a used Throttle Position Senser at my local pull-a-part. still didn't correct the problem Went to AutoZone and bought a new TPS for the vehicle (with automatic transmission) and not change.
I've been turning wrenches for over 40 years and do know how to check for vacuum leaks and It would have been easier if I did cause the problem.. Thought this would be a good place to pick up where I left off.
Thank you,

 

[amc49]

There is no new automatic TPS unless you cut the harness to adapt a pigtail from the '03 and later ones that everybody has to use now. Any TPS that bolted right on new was the wrong one. Excepting junkyard parts of course. The parts places commonly sell you the manual trans TPS which is the only one that bolts right on with no mods. It WON'T work but they tell you it will.

You better have changed the TB gasket when it got yanked to clean, most don't thinking the old one looks fine and a mistake, same with the IAC, I use double gasket on the latter. The TB done like I said will leak internally and no way for you to detect that.

High idle, slow rpm drop, and hang is a vacuum leak or throttle cable sticking, the 2 fixes there. The TB can be overtorqued to drag the butterfly too, they do not sit down dead flat, rather up on plastic stands at the bolt holes. Wrong TPS can do the same idle hang.

STILL can't tell which motor, there are TWO 2.0s used in that car. VIN 8th digit either a 3 or a P, tell which. Or what is lettered on top of valve cover.

Forgive my coming across like a dick, it's in my DNA.

 

[gpgjerry]

I’ll check the vin tomarrow but I think your probably right that they sold me the wrong TPS. Will try to get a 03 and adapt plug. Thank you for your help.

 

[amc49]

You can always do this too..........

https://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/zetec-performance-2000-2004/313092-manual-trans-tps-atx-throttle-body-works.html