focus 03 won't idle

[joetc5]

Hi, campers. I have an '03 Focus ZX5 with Zetec 4 and a 5 speed standard transaxle. On a 12 hour trip, stopped for fuel at about 9th hour on a very warm evening. Filled up and grabbed a bite - restarted- but engine immediately stopped with release of gas pedal. Ran fine but would NOT idle. Kept a foot on gas pedal and used emergency brake to stop (so I could keep a foot on gas pedal and clutch) until back on hiway. At end of trip (after dark, evening much cooler) when I pulled off NYS thruway to pay toll- idle was back and working fine!
Friends guess- an oxy sensor is crapping out when the car stops and it gets really hot under the hood with no air flow through engine compartment. When trip resumed, cool air thru the grille put it back in operation. Have had car 2 months- cool months- never had this syndrome before. Any info on a problem like this?? Thanks joetc43@lycos.com

[Black Widow '90]

welcome aboard

[joetc5]

Thanks. Nice to be. These sites are really helpful most of the time, I've found. I have a Buell motorcycle and the site they have has found parts and good advice over the years. Nice lookin truck, by the way.

[phantom_smack]

probably noy an o2 sensor,you didnt happen to fuel up with E85?Iac valve could sticking.

[joetc5]

Ya know, I thought about E85. It's in everything now- the manual warns about it. What choice do you have nowadays? And what can you do. Car has run fine since, by the way. What is and Iac and how do you test? Thanks for answering.

[phantom_smack]

Idle air control valve,actualy if you tap on it it will usually free up and idle for a bit.The Focus valve is located underneath the intake unfortunately.

[joetc5]

Thanks for the help. Will check the valve out asap. By the way- it's been 3 weeks, and it hasn't done it again.