This is topic Idle Trouble in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by Gear Head (Member # 779) on :
 
Periodically my car will idle at 900 rpm's when in drive and when I am stopped and my car is idleing. If I put it into park it will jump up and idle around 1200 rpms.

What should I check first? I've never had a problem like this before. Help me out guys.
 
Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :
 
Well first off check your idle screw located under the throttle body. Usually I like to set the screw so that the car idles around 900-950 rpm depending on your cam. Next grab a volt meter and hook it up to the green lead on the TPS sensor. The one located on top of the throttle body. Positive lead of volt meter goes to green lead and negative voltmeter lead goes to any solid ground. Using the volt meter in the 12 volt setting you want to see a reading of .95 to .97 volts. This is the best range with .95 being ideal. If you have an afermarket cam and have checked these settings and the car still isn't right I recommend a ford motorsport IAC plate that goes between the IAC motor and throttle body. This allows extra air to enter throttle body on modified cars. Hope this helps. I am located in Livermore. If you need any help with this let me know. mtbaughs@yahoo.com
 
Posted by Gear Head (Member # 779) on :
 
I don't think it has anything to do with the volts because sometimes it idles fine and then other times it does what I explained above. I have never messed with the TPS at all and haven't changed anything on my car in a long time. It's also a stock motor.

Is there anything I should try to replace/clean?
 
Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :
 
Well the TPS can fall out of range over time. It is also a sensor known to go bad over time. It's an easy check. The other things I would look into would be pulling off the EGR valve and giving it a good cleaning. If the car hasn't had a good tune up in awhile you may also want to look into doing that.
 
Posted by Gear Head (Member # 779) on :
 
It's had a good tune up already (Good plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, air filter). I have never cleaned the EGR or changed the IAC(?). You said the TPS can fall out of range over time but it still idles fine sometimes so I don't see that being the culprit.
 
Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :
 
Well since the tune up has already been done try cleaning the EGR valve with carb cleaner or brake kleen. Sometime if the valve gets dirty it can stick open or not open when it is supposed to. Two nuts hold the egr onto the egr block and it can easily be removed. Push the valve open and shoot the cleaner into the valve while working the area clean with some scotch brite.
 
Posted by Gear Head (Member # 779) on :
 
I'll try that thanks.
 
Posted by eighty8mclaren (Member # 2751) on :
 
Take a look at this website this could be the problem, if not it is very good to do this anyways. http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2002/01/tenpin/index.shtml
 
Posted by Gear Head (Member # 779) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by eighty8mclaren:
Take a look at this website this could be the problem, if not it is very good to do this anyways. http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2002/01/tenpin/index.shtml
Thanks for that link. I am going to try everything that was mentined above and post back.
 
Posted by 66 AC COBRA (Member # 904) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by eighty8mclaren:
Take a look at this website this could be the problem, if not it is very good to do this anyways. http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2002/01/tenpin/index.shtml
damn it u beat me too it, i was gonna list that link
 
Posted by Gear Head (Member # 779) on :
 
I haven't had any time to check or work on my car yet but I started it up today and it idled at 2,000rpms [Frown] [Confused]

I will be diagnosing the problem on Saturday. Thanks for everyones help by the way.
 
Posted by Gear Head (Member # 779) on :
 
Alright well I tried what was mentioned to me in the link that was posted about the "salt and pepper shakers" and that didn't help. I also removed, inspected, and cleaned my egr and that didn't help either.

For some reason I can't find my volt meter so I am going to go down and pick another one up so I can check my tps.
 
Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :
 
Hey just drive by my house and I'll check it out free for you. I have a volt meter already.

(408)910-6924 Mike
 
Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :
 
If it's not the TPS that it's got to be a vacuum leak somewhere. Or un-metered air is getting into the motor
 




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