Fuel filter, possibly or ? Battery has a full charge. The engine won't stay running of its own accord until the car is warmed up. M-I-L (car owner) thinks it is because it was bought in Florida, which I doubt is the issue here.

does that car have an air intake temp sensor?

Yes,it does. That won't be the problem though.


A little more info is neccessary. (mileage mostly) Does it stall while sitting,driving,or doesn't matter?


Fuel filter would be more errattic,not just when cold.


Could be plugs/wires/gummed throttle body/clogged egr passage/incoming air controller. The 2 latter will light a mil though.


Post back w/further info.

Your vehicle most likely has a bad Idle air control valve or IAC for short. Pretty common on the Grand Marquis as they get older.

MercAdvisor was correct. Wife unit had it towed to local Merc dealer and it was the IAC. I should have known as our 93 V-6 Cougar did this same thing last year. Now all I have to do is have the sludge she is currently running for coolant replaced......

I went to do the home test on her coolant with the floating needle. It did not budge. Not sure what was last placed in the reservoir but I doubt it was so much as distilled water. The fluid in the reservoir looks sort of like industrial waste or sludge. One of the joys of attempting to maintain a car which has had people not doing what they were paid to do. Of course, owner may have employed a less than reputable outfit to work on it.