Automatic Fiesta Stalling?!

[Maxx]

My other half has been using her mums automatic fiesta for a couple of months now and recently mention that it always stalls when its cold when you try to pull away in 'D' so she has been pulling away using 'L'.
Has anyone any ideas what might be causing this stalling, torque converter, gearbox, etc?

[TRD3000GT]

sounds like the auto choke could be causing this.. Ive seen the symptoms before

[Maxx]

sounds like the auto choke could be causing this.. Ive seen the symptoms before

Apparently its fine once warmed up so I think you could well be right, any idea what I can do to sort it out?

[TRD3000GT]

possible quick fix would be to up the idle on the car...

There should be a screw on the throttle body assembly that you can adjust to make the car rev higher.

But thats just an idea.. :respekt:

[Maxx]

I'll give that a go for now and do a bit of searching on the net for a proper cure when I get a chance. :thanks:

[absxxxx]

depends on type of engine, model and year. poss causes. vacumm leak/temp sensor/idle valve/choke (carburettor)/ disi cap etc etc :shrug:

[Maxx]

Did a bit of searching last night and it turns out that this is a common and very expensive problem with the Fiesta automatic box there is a TSB out for the issue from Ford:

This is a copy of the TSB that deals with the symptoms experienced and unfortunately major tranmission work is needed:

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN No.85/1997
Car and Light/Medium Commercial 26.11.1998
Section: 17/29

Model: Fiesta 1.25 Zetec SE with CTX Transmission
built from 11.95 to 10.98 (build codes SM to WR) inclusive
Escort 1.6 Zetec with CTX transmission built from 08.95 to 10.98 (build codes ST to WR) inclusive

Markets: All

Subject: Harsh gear engagement/engine stalling when cold, after start or when engaging gear

Summary
Should a customer express concern over harsh gear engagement or the engine stalling on engaging gear from a cold start, it is possible that the clutch pressure in the transmission is too high. This may also result in a high creep rate in `D', the engine stalling on braking or an incorrect idle speed/engine stalling when cold.
These conditions may be improved by exchanging the transmission oil to the new type B oil, exchanging the clutch plates, and installing a revised transmission valve body (Fiesta only), brake servo vacuum pipe and a revised powertrain control module (EEC IV only - EEC V powertrain control modules should be reprogrammed). On Fiesta variants, a revised air by pass valve (ABV) and adaptor loom should also be fitted.

CAUTION:
It is essential that the valve body retaining bolts are tightened in the correct sequence to the correct torque. Make sure that a torque wrench which can accurately measure 5 8 Nm is available.

NOTE:
Similar symptoms can occur through other causes. Make sure that the concern is not engine related. For more information on start/run/stall conditions, refer to TSB 24/1997.
This bulletin supersedes TSB 85/1997 dated 29.10.1998, featuring a revision to the Parts Required and the Service Instruction. Please destroy the previous edition of this bulletin.

*****************************************************************

This TSB goes on another 28 pages detailing the fix.

I'm going to try and find a complete copy of this TSB. I'm not convinced this is the problem as I'm not sure it's a Z-Tec or whether it has a CTX box.
Think I need to get some more info on the car first.

[absxxxx]

just phone a ford dealer and talk to them, might be on a recall, if so it will be done for free.