Engine starts and shuts off if I take foot off gas

[bigallant]

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that sometimes when I start the car, it shuts off immediately. I would start it again, and again it shuts off, this would happen over, and over, and over. I can drive it if I keep my foot on the gas at all time. If I take my foot off the gas, chances are, it would shut off. Then mysteriously, it would "fix" it self. Meaning, that eventually I can take my foot off the gas and it would continue running. I have not noticed any pattern to this.

It is a 1998 Expedition, 110K miles. I figure it could be the pump, but if the pump is bad, wouldn't go out all together?

thanks
Bill

[way2old]

Check the idle speed control motor. It sits on top of the throttle body. If it is gummed up or shorted out, it will cause your pfoblem.