This is topic Idle Problems, really bad please help....... in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://californiafords.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=002643

---

Posted by BlackDrop50 (Member # 1715) on :
 
I have a bad problem with my car when I am idling at a stoplight or if I drive really slow. The idle surges for 5-10 seconds, then the car will just die.

I have a leaking headgasket but I don't know if that is related or not. The problem went away for two weeks right after I had the oil changed, but now it is back again.
 

---

Posted by stangbanger (Member # 746) on :
 
please someone help i have the same problem. when i start my car idles fine, 900-1000 rpms. almost perfect. but when i start driving it acts up like a bitch. but it doesnt do it all the time when i get to a light it will surge for like 5 seconds at the most the idle fine but sometimes it will surge like crazy then die. help please. for the both of us.
 

---

Posted by gR40coupe (Member # 698) on :
 
have you checked you tps? whats it at? my car idles fuuny because my egr isn't hooked up
 

---

Posted by Clark The Slut (Member # 1076) on :
 
Yeah, Try getting a new TPS. (Throttle Position Sensor) it's probably about 35 bucks or so. And if that's not it, that's one less thing to worry about. Or try some contact cleaner and clean the connection and stuff.
 

---

Posted by stangbanger (Member # 746) on :
 
um i tried doing all that cleanging crap on the 10 pin connectors still doesnt work i have been through like 3 tps sensors, they always seem to change, or i can never get it down too .92-.99 its weird.
 

---

Posted by Black94 5.0 (Member # 655) on :
 
Check your TPS(throttle position sensor) with a digital voltmeter. Voltage should be around .998 volts @ idle....If it is not, try moving it around until it is at .998v, then screw it back down.....When you are down with that and it does not cure your problem then check the idle bypass sensor(The other sensor on the throttle-body)...Take the 2x 8mm screws off and the sensor off...Clean the sensor with carb. cleaner as well as you can!!.. Then re-install....Hopefully it cures the problem..

[ January 05, 2003, 11:43 PM: Message edited by: Black94 5.0 ]
 

---

Posted by BlackDrop50 (Member # 1715) on :
 
Could the problem be my fuel system?

This problem only happens after a while of driving the car. This problem NEVER happens when I am heavy on the gas or the freeway.

A couple people I know told me it might be my fuel filter, and my fuel pump is extremeley loud, I checked around on stangnet and the general opinion is that a loud fuel pump is a dying fuel pump.

Can anybody clarify on this?

[ January 06, 2003, 12:09 PM: Message edited by: BlackDrop50 ]
 

---

Posted by Chosen1 (Member # 1906) on :
 
i fell victim to the same surging problem on my car. i replaced the tps -no help. i replaced the iac and throttle body -no help. i replaced the egr valve -helped a little bit but problem worsened later. replaced mass air -no help. even disconnected tps for a bit -car idled really low but manageable -not a good fix. finally i replaced the computer...problem solved. i spent 300 before the computer. sucks. no problems since.
 

---

Posted by Cobra5.0Jeep (Member # 1482) on :
 
Change your fuel filter my friend had the same problem and i changed it for him and the problem never came back
 

---

Posted by BlackDrop50 (Member # 1715) on :
 
Ok I bought a fuel filter, it's going in on thursday and at the same time my dad's friend who is a mechanic is going to check out the whole car.
 

---

Posted by IKE (Member # 435) on :
 
when my fuel pump finally went out on me.. My car would not idle worth of shit.. Then all of a sudden it quit on me.. It gradually did the same thing that yours is doing to you...
 

---

Posted by BlackDrop50 (Member # 1715) on :
 
Well if it does take a crap on me, I'll just upgrade to a 255 lph pump
 

---

Posted by stangbanger (Member # 746) on :
 
CHOSEN1 how can u tell if your computer is bad i have done everything u did no change, any things u can test to see if computer is bad.
 

---

Posted by cheap (Member # 858) on :
 
Clean your throttle body really good, and your tps, with throttle body and intake cleaner. Change your fuel filter. Check the fuel pressure at your rail, if its still low check the filter sock in your tank on the bottom of the tank pump. Also if your mileage is high your timing chain might need to be changed.
If you have a K&N your maf might be messed up... sometimes the oil from the filter clogs up the maf sensor filament, try buying some electrical contact cleaner (something that doesn't leave any residue) and spray it on your maf filament.
Cant think of anything else that hasn't been said already.
 

---

Posted by shadow50 (Member # 2265) on :
 
Guys, guys,
I'm not one to assume and replace an expensive part like a computer. but it can be a culprit. But try the cheaper way too. I've read down the reply's and no one has mentioned replacing their O2 sensors.

My 84 had a surge problem, it was embarrassing!
I fought and fought with it. I hated that CFi injection. Turned out to be the o2 sensor.
I never replaced it before!
I had an 83 escort with efi it had the same problem too. I sold it to get my convertible.

Now she's got true efi and idles great! new sensors I must add.
 

---

Posted by 5.0#3 88'conv (Member # 1534) on :
 
its fun listening to you all because you all have different symptoms so your chasing different problems with different solutions.......
 

---

Posted by 5.0#3 88'conv (Member # 1534) on :
 
if your egr isn't hooked up and your car runs bad because of it your egr is fucked up, lots of surging problems and dying are from cracked lower intake gaskets, check for vacuum if its low spray carb or brake cleaner around the intake where it bolts to the head. if your car hesitated while your driving really bad its usually the maf sensor.
 

---

Posted by BlackDrop50 (Member # 1715) on :
 
Ok well I had the valvecover gasket replaced so no more oil leak, and oil pressure is up more.

I am replacing the fuel filter tomorrow if that doesn't help it I will be looking at the TB and fuel pump.
 

---

Posted by XR1stang (Member # 2248) on :
 
5.0#3 88'conv - well I have some of the same symptoms that he's talking about, especially the wild idle when either cold or really hot. I'm not running an EGR, but the funny thing is I had these same problems WITH the EGR hooked up. I have replaced the O2 sensors because I was getting a computer code on them... of course the general consensus on my car is it's the cam/computer combo that's causing the problems.

I need a chip burned anyway so I hope that will fix it. Maybe I can get the chip to turn off the EGR code error so the Check Engine light will go off

XR1stang
 

---

Posted by Chosen1 (Member # 1906) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by 5.0#3 88'conv:
if your egr isn't hooked up and your car runs bad because of it your egr is fucked up, lots of surging problems and dying are from cracked lower intake gaskets, check for vacuum if its low spray carb or brake cleaner around the intake where it bolts to the head. if your car hesitated while your driving really bad its usually the maf sensor.

---