Questions and Answers

Ford Probe Rough Idle At Stops Q. Problem: Car wants to stall when coming to a complete stop, noticeable drop in rpms when pressing on brake while at idle. Mechanical tapping/pinging sound audible from engine when it gets warm that increases and decreases with rpm. Researched this one and it may be over ignition from too much air in combustion chambers.

Problems are expressed the most with extreme high or low and humid temperatures. This could be a air sensor problem. These problems are all connected but I do not know in what way. The Mass Air Flow Sensor, EGR valve, PCV valve, catalytic converter, ignition sensor and wires have all been replaced.

If it is a air/temperature metering valve that could be the cause, could you point me in the right direction towards which one would be the cause?

Ford motor company mechanics have run repeated diagnostics when the check engine light comes on only to tell me the code given is too vague to establish what is wrong or what needs to be replaced. I almost given up on trying to fix the car and would rather sell it than fix it. Help Please!

• 1996 Ford Probe
• 2.0 liter DOHC
• Manual Transmission
• 65,000 miles

Sincerely,
Samuel

A. If you bought an aftermarket Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF), you might have gotten one, if the MAF is the problem, that was not updated. There was a TSB issued about the problem you describe and was repaired with a new, modified, MAF. The part numbers are:

PART NUMBER	PART NAME
F32Z-12B579-B	Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor (1993-95 Probe)
F62Z-12B579-CA	Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor (1996 Probe)

Without the DTC there is not much else I can do for you. There are a hundred different things that could cause the symptoms you describe.