Accelerating on its own, P0171 P0174 jumping tach meter, accelerates when steering turned

5

Asked by Rami Feb 11, 2016 at 11:44 PM about the 2001 Ford Windstar LX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

2001 Ford Windstar, 206K
Has always been a great car, but the last month or so, it has went crazy. It
accelerates on its own, jumps forward at lights & stop signs and I have to
keep brake pressed so it doesn't take off on me...It also is jumping from
500-1K on the tach and sounds like it is going to stall (when its not revving
up to 3K) so, I end up giving it some gas at times to keep from stalling and
holding brake at same time so it doesn't take off.

When I turn the steering wheel while setting idle, the car revs up to 2-2.5K.

I have replaced the spark plugs, Cleaned the EGR Valve, replaced the
throttle sensor, replaced the fuel filter, replaced the Idle control valve,
CLEANED the MAF, changed the air filter...still with no luck and scared to
keep spending money on a 2001 Windstar that is basically not worth much,
but I can't afford a new car, so I have almost no choice but keep nickeling
and diming me :(  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. ( I have
also looked for Vacuum leaks, and cant seem to find any, but going to
recheck that and also read about replacing the PCV Valve hose) Anything
that I am possibly missing as to why my car accelerates on its own? I shift it
in gear and it literally takes off! Also I have a motor mount that needs to be
replaced also. And my brakes also keep going out...they just completely go!
Brake goes to the floor and ZERO brakes, I keep adding fluid, and it keeps
disappearing! Every 4-5 days, I have to add 1/2 bottle of brake fluid. Its not
leaking (I park on cement) and I have checked around all the tires, no
leaks.. I have read that fluid is possibly backing up in the brake booster? I'm
a single mom of 2 little ones that feels incredibly unsafe, but like I said, it's
my only means of transportation. Any help would be appreciated.

2 Answers

65,510

Sounds like you have a bad brake booster check valve also a bad master cylinder.

2 people found this helpful.
20

Hey Rami I have a 2002 Ford Windstar and the same thing is happening to me change the idle control valve , and the throttle sensor a hose and the fuel pump from the tank just took it back to the mechanic that said it was the pump. The van has been a great car 12 years☹️

2 people found this helpful.

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