Escort idles to fast

If you've tried to reset the idle pins on the throttle plate and that did nothing and also checked the throttle postion sensor (TPS) and engines codes, then it could be that the air bypass valve (APV - electronic engine control idle control valve) is simply stuck open.

The APV is a little black (3") solenoid valve bolted on the front of throttle body, 90° from the TPS that, when energized, allows addtional air to bypass the throttle plate (as if you were holding the pedel down some). It's the fancy modern equivalent for the much more complex 100% mechanical assemblies that were in old time carbs that set high idle air flow when you also had set the choke.

The APV is used (energized - opened) to set the high idle when the car is cold and closes (de-energized) when the engine reaches temperature. It can get all fouled up with recylced exhaust and/or crankcase recirculation fumes from the emmission control system. If you take it off and manually actuate the piston, it should move in and out freely and, all by itself, it should return (via a spring) to the normally fully closed position. If not, try cleaning it with some brake cleaner or get a new one.

My problem that made me discover and fully understand my APV was a bit different but it was all about the idle being wrong and irregular, be it low or high, but not where it should be, for no good diagnosible reason, and once I cleaned and reinstalled my APV, the problem was 100% solved.