My Ford E-250 2004 cargo Van with 5.4 liter engine will idle smoothly but stops running when I touch the throttle. how do I trouble shoot?

Hello Carmelo Cortez,

The wise thing to do would be to get your codes read...
Beg, borrow or buy the FACTORY WORKSHOP
REPAIR MANUALS.... and trouble shoot yourself...

Alternative:
FREE technical service bulletins (TSBs) ...
and trouble shooting tips available for most popular USA market vehicle... (registration required) BBB Industries - FREE.
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My best advice would be to get your codes read...

Some parts houses & muffler shops will do this for free...
Even with the codes some of these issues can be a bit
of a riddle...

Not expensive nor difficult to do...

With your trouble seeming to be a cold issue...
Logically (Occam's razor) that would pint to your
(cold start) Idle air control valve ... Click here
1993 FORD EXPLORER 4 0L V6 Idle Air Control IAC Valve RockAuto

details
More Information for STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS AC23

More Information for MOTORCRAFT CX1828

Hope this helps

Carnac the Magnificent

How does it idle in park , does it run ruff or smooth? Are any lights lit on the dash , check engine etc. ? Could have a partially plugged IAC air passage .idle air control (IAC) valve ! The engine computer uses the IAC to control idle , when under a load such as when put into gear the computer raises the idle ! It does this by allowing more air to by pass the closed throttle into the engine raising the idle ! If these air passages clog they restrict the air flow an cause a idle problem ! Now if it runs ruff at idle in park you could have vacuum leak ! Rough Idle How to Fix Ford Taurus Engine Stalls at Stop Signs

i would guess that you have a sticky throttle cable or a dirty throttle body.

howdie need some more imfo what kind of car truck what motor what yr what does it do cold or hot need to no this first

For rough idle issues and problem troubleshooting,go through the help links provided below :-----van idles rough?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/01/2004-ford-freestar-van-idles-rough.html

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will not idle when cold?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-explorer-40-will-not-idle-when.html

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runs lean and idles rough?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-runs-lean-and-idles-rough.html

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Engine stumbles coming off idle when warm?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/engine-stumbles-coming-off-idle-when.html

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Erratic idle on car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/erratic-idle-on-car.html

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Low idle when cold out side?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/low-idle-when-cold-out-side.html

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Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve Replacing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/gmc-idle-air-control-iac-valve.html

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Replace Idle air control valve?

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Test Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve?

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Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve operation?

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Engine quits at idle?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/engine-quits-at-idle.html

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Car overheats and Air blows hot at idle?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-overheats-and-air-blows-hot-at-idle.html

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While stop engine idles like cylinder missing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

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This will help.

Thanks.

how about putting the van in drive with one foot down hard on the brake and rev the engine, does it smooth out now? if it smooths out, i would pull the air cleaner tube to the throttle body and spray the throttle body with carb cleaner, be careful if using the red tube, I have had it blow off before into the intake, not good, open the accelerator and spray it out really good, it will to start until all the cleaner clears out.

Dieseling usually starts with an engine timing problem, but can be caused by the throttle not closing properly. High idle can also be caused by a throttle control problem, and if you have a fuel injected version, also check the IAC (idle air control) motor.

You will find idle speed controllers in the area of the throttle plates. In order to work, air must bypass the throttle plates.

there are 2 things that usually cause this, one is a dirty intake idle control valve and the other is hard engine mounts, I would say that both most likely apply to your car. try cleaning the intake with the following procedure from Ford.
Here is the most common cause of surges and stalls and low idle rough idle, it is the idle speed control air-bypass valve and throttle valve (IAC for short), they get full of gunk over the miles and cause idle issues (stalls, low idle) like yours, Get a can of intake cleaner from any local parts store, not carb spray, intake cleaner, it is made by a company called CRC, remove the air intake hose to the engine, hold the idle high so the engine won't stall, then spray the can of cleaner into the intake while keeping the engine running, use at least 1/2 the can, shut down the engine and disconnect the battery for 5 minutes, then restart and complete a number of mixed driving cycles, town, freeway, stop and go etc., after a few days the problem will go away as the system will relearn to the clean intake.

YOU MAY HAVE AN EGR VALVE DIRTY OR THE IDLE CONTROL MOTOR DIRTY OR GOING BAD.