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

Cleaning TB, need help

  • Thread starter Thread starter HyPer-50
  • Start date Start date Mar 6, 2004

HyPer-50

Member
Jun 26, 2003
377
0
16
Woodstock, GA
Mar 6, 2004
#1
  • Mar 6, 2004
  • #1
I've heard from a few people that my idle problem is from a dirty TB, so I figured I'd try cleaning it.. My idle problem is this; whenever I first crank my car, my idle sticks around 1750rpm, then after about 5 seconds drops down to 1500, then after a lil bit longer, it gets down about the average range around 850, but it keeps surging.... So say I crank my car, pull out of a parking lot and stop at a red light, my idle is going crazy at the light. But after I start going and stop again, all normal... Thats problem #1, #2 is; whenever i'm in traffic, ya know, alot of clutch using... the idle goes really low when I hold the clutch pedal down even occasionally stalling..... Anyways, for those of you who read through all this, and can actually understand what I'm sayin' (I'm not the brightest light bulb), my question is this.... How do I go about cleaning the throttle body, and what should I use? Also, does this problem I've described sound like it could be anything else? I've already changed the IAC, and I am going to try an idler air spacer.. Any other suggestions would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks.
 

91BlckGT

Founding Member
May 24, 1999
2,386
75
68
in a van, down by the river
Mar 6, 2004
#2
  • Mar 6, 2004
  • #2
HyPer-50 said:
I've heard from a few people that my idle problem is from a dirty TB, so I figured I'd try cleaning it.. My idle problem is this; whenever I first crank my car, my idle sticks around 1750rpm, then after about 5 seconds drops down to 1500, then after a lil bit longer, it gets down about the average range around 850, but it keeps surging.... So say I crank my car, pull out of a parking lot and stop at a red light, my idle is going crazy at the light. But after I start going and stop again, all normal... Thats problem #1, #2 is; whenever i'm in traffic, ya know, alot of clutch using... the idle goes really low when I hold the clutch pedal down even occasionally stalling..... Anyways, for those of you who read through all this, and can actually understand what I'm sayin' (I'm not the brightest light bulb), my question is this.... How do I go about cleaning the throttle body, and what should I use? Also, does this problem I've described sound like it could be anything else? I've already changed the IAC, and I am going to try an idler air spacer.. Any other suggestions would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...


I really doubt your problem is from a dirty TB. The're not meant to be cleaned, and unless you've got so much carbon built up that the bypass holes are blocked, you're barking up the wrong tree.

I suspect your idle problems are related to haveing a 75mm C&L meter. Those are notorious for that. You could have your TPS mis-adjusted as well (should be about .95-.98)

Hmm, with a 65mm TB, it's probably not it.
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,811
234
Dublin GA
Mar 6, 2004
#3
  • Mar 6, 2004
  • #3
The electrical contacts for the IAB will tarnish and make a connection that will cause unstable idle. The connections can be cleaned with the same cleaner as the TB. Use a jewler's screwdriver to scrape the contacts bright and shiny. A little dielectric grease on the plastic shell can help seal the the connector.
 

Pod

Member
Aug 17, 2003
71
0
6
Cambridge, UK
Mar 6, 2004
#4
  • Mar 6, 2004
  • #4
Mine had exactly the same problem. My TPS was broken. Installed a new one and the idle stopped surging. There may be other reasons as mentioned above, but that fixed mine.
 

HyPer-50

Member
Jun 26, 2003
377
0
16
Woodstock, GA
Mar 7, 2004
#5
  • Mar 7, 2004
  • #5
k,I'm gonna take the car in and have them check and see if they think it's messin' up. If thats not it, I guess I'll start lookin' for a smaller maf lol. Gotta start with the cheapest fix first. Thanks much for the help.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Engine Stock TB - smoke test - leaking bad
  • R82148V
  • May 18, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
28
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 5, 2025
R82148V
D
Engine Throttle sticky even after cable replacement
  • dqureshi06
  • Aug 16, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
6
Views
299
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Aug 17, 2025
AeroCoupe
C
Electrical HELP! 1989 5.0 Stick, Voltage Bleed onto Ignition Trigger wire
  • ChickenDeluxe
  • May 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
132
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 24, 2026
ChickenDeluxe
C
Engine Surging idle on start-up
  • keel
  • Aug 11, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
16
Views
765
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 31, 2025
keel
Engine Obstinate Pilot Bearing removal
  • FastDriver
  • Feb 12, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3
Replies
40
Views
866
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 22, 2026
manicmechanic007
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?