Question:

I have a ‘97 XLT V8 AWD Automatic with 65,000 miles.  Drove it home today for lunch (7 miles) without any problems.  Left for work, and 1 1/2 miles later as I was accelerating into traffic the engine just died like the key had been turned off!  It will restart and idle fine, but the engine will quit above 1000 RPM (in gear or out).  I can even put it in gear and drive at idle speed.  Any ideas on where to start checking???  ( I’m thinking fuel problem ) Thanks in advance for your inputs……

Response:

A friend of mine had this problem with a 1994 Explorer, 4 L engine.  He replaced the Throttle Position Sensor, about $25 at Autozone, and that fixed the problem.  What happens is that when the sensor goes out of range because it’s bad, the engine dies, but will restart and will run at idle.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a ‘97 XLT V8 AWD Automatic with 65,000 miles.  Drove it home > today for lunch (7 miles) without any problems.  Left for work, and 1 > 1/2 miles later as I was accelerating into traffic the engine just > died like the key had been turned off!  It will restart and idle fine, > but the engine will quit above 1000 RPM (in gear or out).  I can even > put it in gear and drive at idle speed.  Any ideas on where to start > checking???  ( I’m thinking fuel problem ) > Thanks in advance for your inputs……

Response:

thanks for your inputs…..here’s what I’ve done so far: Checked all fuses (fuse & power distribution panel).  Swapped fuel pump relay.  I am planning on replacing the fuel filter tomorrow! Will reseach the throttle position sensor…. Any more ideas??? Thanks again….. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > A friend of mine had this problem with a 1994 Explorer, 4 L engine.  He > replaced the Throttle Position Sensor, about $25 at Autozone, and that fixed > the problem.  What happens is that when the sensor goes out of range because > it’s bad, the engine dies, but will restart and will run at idle. > > I have a ‘97 XLT V8 AWD Automatic with 65,000 miles.  Drove it home > > today for lunch (7 miles) without any problems.  Left for work, and 1 > > 1/2 miles later as I was accelerating into traffic the engine just > > died like the key had been turned off!  It will restart and idle fine, > > but the engine will quit above 1000 RPM (in gear or out).  I can even > > put it in gear and drive at idle speed.  Any ideas on where to start > > checking???  ( I’m thinking fuel problem ) > > Thanks in advance for your inputs……

Response:

No "Check Engine" while it’s running.  Once the engine dies….all the panel lights come on…..including the "check engine", but I don’t think this is abnormal. There are really no symptoms other than the engine dying when you give it gas (above an idle).  I will be working on it today and will update with results. Thanks for your advice….

Response:

Changed fuel filter and pulled throttle position sensor off and it checked OK with meter.  Without a good lead to follow, I’m afraid this one will be resolved by the boys with the toys (Ford service & diagnostics). Any last "hail Mary" will be appreciated…..

Response:

anyone could use this info in the future!!!

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