• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

2k RPM Idle at startup

  • Thread starter Thread starter Notch Guy Rob
  • Start date Start date Aug 30, 2022

Notch Guy Rob

Member
Aug 15, 2022
11
3
13
Mooresville, NC
Aug 30, 2022
#1
  • Aug 30, 2022
  • #1
Mods in signature. Just recently bought this car with mods and was told it was tuned. When cold cranking, the idle immediately surges to 2k RPM or so for about 8-10 seconds, then goes down to 1k-1500 where it stays. The car runs well and after warming up, the idle stays around 1k, but it surges up between shifts regularly. Any ideas?
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,883
4,007
183
Claremore, OK
Aug 30, 2022
#2
  • Aug 30, 2022
  • #2
Have to ask, have you put a code scanner on it?
 

Notch Guy Rob

Member
Aug 15, 2022
11
3
13
Mooresville, NC
Aug 30, 2022
#3
  • Aug 30, 2022
  • #3
AeroCoupe said:
Have to ask, have you put a code scanner on it?
Click to expand...
No I haven't, which one would I need to buy for a stock computer?
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,883
4,007
183
Claremore, OK
Aug 30, 2022
#4
  • Aug 30, 2022
  • #4
https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-and-specialty-tools/code-reader/p/innova-ford-obd1-code-reader/273350_0_0?cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:GEN:10574827360&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgYmv7pzv-QIV6BPUAR0j2A1oEAQYAyABEgLz0fD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have an older one but they are very basic. I used some 18 ga wire and female spade connectors on both ends for a harness so I could have the scanner with me in the car. Makes things easier if you ask me.
 
Reactions: Notch Guy Rob

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,255
17,939
224
Massachusetts
Aug 30, 2022
#5
  • Aug 30, 2022
  • #5
Unplug the IAC and start it up. What does it do?

With the IAC unplugged disconnect the SPOUT and try to lower the idle down to around 700-800 rpm. If it maintains a steady idle, disconnect the ECU for about 15 mins.

Hook it back up, plug the IAC and spout back in and start it up. Hopefully it’s much better.

I would also pull codes. Running rich, or vac leaks will also cause idle surges. A smoke machine is a good way to test for the latter. Can be built cheaply via Home Depot/Amazon.
 
Reactions: Notch Guy Rob

Notch Guy Rob

Member
Aug 15, 2022
11
3
13
Mooresville, NC
Aug 30, 2022
#6
  • Aug 30, 2022
  • #6
Mustang5L5 said:
Unplug the IAC and start it up. What does it do?

With the IAC unplugged disconnect the SPOUT and try to lower the idle down to around 700-800 rpm. If it maintains a steady idle, disconnect the ECU for about 15 mins.

Hook it back up, plug the IAC and spout back in and start it up. Hopefully it’s much better.

I would also pull codes. Running rich, or vac leaks will also cause idle surges. A smoke machine is a good way to test for the latter. Can be built cheaply via Home Depot/Amazon.
Click to expand...
I unplugged the IAC and she idles perfectly. A little rough because of the cam, but that's all good. I was told the IAC was brand new and it looks to be. I guess it needs to be replaced. I'll try it with a full cold start tomorrow morning and see what it does.
 

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
SN Certified Technician
Mar 2, 2015
6,945
5,816
213
Aug 30, 2022
#7
  • Aug 30, 2022
  • #7
5L5 was saying you do a base idle reset procedure. Thats what he described in the post. If you didn't do all the steps it'll go back to running like it was when the IAC is plugged back in. The fact that it smoothed out and held a reasonably steady idle means it probably just needs the idle reset done. The IAC is easy to check by blowing through one side. It's a valve and should be closed when unplugged. If air comes out the other side it's bad.
 
Reactions: KRUISR

KRUISR

10 Year Member
Apr 16, 2015
1,816
925
143
Aug 30, 2022
#8
  • Aug 30, 2022
  • #8
Notch Guy Rob said:
I unplugged the IAC and she idles perfectly
Click to expand...
At what RPM?
 
M

mustystang

Claiming to be an Alpha Chassis
Aug 20, 2022
47
7
28
TX
Aug 31, 2022
#9
  • Aug 31, 2022
  • #9
I'm confused, you said the car was tuned. Obviously it's not going to be stock tune. It sounds like you want to change the tune. Do you know if it's a custom tune or a pre-set tune like bama? Just get the equpiment to change the tune. I don't think anything's wrong until you set it back to stock and then are having issues.
 

Notch Guy Rob

Member
Aug 15, 2022
11
3
13
Mooresville, NC
Aug 31, 2022
#10
  • Aug 31, 2022
  • #10
KRUISR said:
At what RPM?
Click to expand...
Around 800
 

Notch Guy Rob

Member
Aug 15, 2022
11
3
13
Mooresville, NC
Aug 31, 2022
#11
  • Aug 31, 2022
  • #11
mustystang said:
I'm confused, you said the car was tuned. Obviously it's not going to be stock tune. It sounds like you want to change the tune. Do you know if it's a custom tune or a pre-set tune like bama? Just get the equpiment to change the tune. I don't think anything's wrong until you set it back to stock and then are having issues.
Click to expand...
The car was tuned by Mo's Speed shop in Georgia. It will be getting a fresh tune within a couple weeks. Maybe they can fix the idle issue.
 

Dan02gt

mazing how much gas smell came from that tiny hole
20+ Year Stangneter
Mar 2, 2003
909
415
113
Greenville, NC
Aug 31, 2022
#12
  • Aug 31, 2022
  • #12
Notch Guy Rob said:
The car was tuned by Mo's Speed shop in Georgia. It will be getting a fresh tune within a couple weeks. Maybe they can fix the idle issue.
Click to expand...
Yes I'm sure they can. Until you know what the idle is set at in the tune it's going to be hard to fix the issue. In the mean time I would do the base idle reset and try to get it to idle around 650 RPMs with the IAC and SPOUT disconnected.
 
Reactions: Notch Guy Rob and KRUISR

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Sep 4, 2022
#13
  • Sep 4, 2022
  • #13
Dan02gt said:
Yes I'm sure they can. Until you know what the idle is set at in the tune it's going to be hard to fix the issue. In the mean time I would do the base idle reset and try to get it to idle around 650 RPMs with the IAC and SPOUT disconnected.
Click to expand...
You guys with idle/stall problems could save a lot of time chasing your tails if you would go through the Surging Idle Checklist. Over 50 different people contributed information to it. The first two posts have all the fixes, and steps through the how to find and fix your idle problems without spending a lot of time and money. It includes how to dump the computer codes quickly and simply as one of the first steps. I continue to update it as more people post fixes or ask questions. You can post questions to that sticky and have your name and idle problem recognized. The guys with original problems and fixes get their posts added to the main fix.

It's free, I don't get anything for the use of it except knowing I helped a fellow Mustang enthusiast with his car. At last check, it had more than 250,000 hits, which indicates it does help fix idle problems quickly and inexpensively.
 
Reactions: KRUISR, General karthief and Notch Guy Rob
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Engine Idle cuts out
  • claypoolxx
  • Mar 7, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
25
Views
751
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Friday at 5:04 PM
alutwon
7
Engine Random hanging idle
  • 706 Saleen
  • Feb 11, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
9
Views
645
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 19, 2026
86HO5.0
8
Engine Surging idle on start-up
  • keel
  • Aug 11, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
16
Views
929
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 31, 2025
keel
C
Engine Cylinder 5,,7, & 8 run significantly cooler than the other cylinders
  • Crisfixes
  • Sep 27, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
1
Views
237
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Sep 27, 2025
Noobz347
C
Engine Cold start RPM surge being cut short.
  • CTEyoungboy
  • Feb 10, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
14
Views
552
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 12, 2025
gkomo
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?