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

How do I set the idle...my idle is low...need it back up...

  • Thread starter Thread starter 5spd GT
  • Start date Start date Apr 10, 2004

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Apr 10, 2004
#1
  • Apr 10, 2004
  • #1
my idle is pretty low...idles around 550 or so...and the lights start to get dim and get brighter when I rev it up...

Isnt' there I screw or something you turn to set it...Thanks in advance
 
B

baka_loba

New Member
Oct 19, 2003
2
0
0
Oregon
Apr 10, 2004
#2
  • Apr 10, 2004
  • #2
550? I'd kill to have my car hold an idle that low, that's awesome!
 
C

custom89stang

New Member
Dec 9, 2003
705
0
0
Seattle, WA
Apr 10, 2004
#3
  • Apr 10, 2004
  • #3
yeah, from what i heard and advice i got before, the screw is in the throttle body that can change the idle, u can set it higher
 
9

92MNstanger

Founding Member
Nov 8, 2001
548
0
0
Minnesota
Apr 10, 2004
#4
  • Apr 10, 2004
  • #4
custom89stang said:
yeah, from what i heard and advice i got before, the screw is in the throttle body that can change the idle, u can set it higher
Click to expand...


You can do that, but remember that you have to reset the tps voltage after you move the screw. I always set my tps voltage to .95

The other way you can adjust it is to get the idle adjuster available form Ford. It installs in ten minutes, and works pretty slick
 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Apr 11, 2004
#5
  • Apr 11, 2004
  • #5
92MNstanger said:
You can do that, but remember that you have to reset the tps voltage after you move the screw. I always set my tps voltage to .95

The other way you can adjust it is to get the idle adjuster available form Ford. It installs in ten minutes, and works pretty slick
Click to expand...

Where can I get the idle adjuster...?...how much? how does it work?Thanks...
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Apr 11, 2004
#6
  • Apr 11, 2004
  • #6
The computer tries to control the idle speed using the iab/c solenoid. It's preset to control around 625-725 rpm. If it can't control there, that means something isn't doing it's job, or you've changed something in a way that it can't compensate. I'd start off by removing the iab/c solenoid and throttle body and thoroughly cleaning them. What usually happens is that oily deposits foul the solenoid so that not enough air can bypass the throttle plate to maintain idle. The screw being referred to is more throttle stop than idle adjustment. You can try opening up the throttle plate a bit more and see what happens. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don't.
 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Apr 11, 2004
#7
  • Apr 11, 2004
  • #7
Michael Yount said:
The computer tries to control the idle speed using the iab/c solenoid. It's preset to control around 625-725 rpm. If it can't control there, that means something isn't doing it's job, or you've changed something in a way that it can't compensate. I'd start off by removing the iab/c solenoid and throttle body and thoroughly cleaning them. What usually happens is that oily deposits foul the solenoid so that not enough air can bypass the throttle plate to maintain idle. The screw being referred to is more throttle stop than idle adjustment. You can try opening up the throttle plate a bit more and see what happens. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don't.
Click to expand...

Well what happened is I put new plugs in the car Autolite 25's...(gapped around .054), cleaned the air filter (was pretty dirty), new fuel filter, and I took off that solenoid and cleaned it with carb cleaner (didn't clean the TB...but the solenoid looks much better)...and after I did that the idle is about 100 rpms lower if I were to guess...and now I have to rev the car up about 2x as longer(steady gas) for it stay idling by itself...
 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Apr 11, 2004
#8
  • Apr 11, 2004
  • #8
5spd GT said:
Well what happened is I put new plugs in the car Autolite 25's...(gapped around .054), cleaned the air filter (was pretty dirty), new fuel filter, and I took off that solenoid and cleaned it with carb cleaner (didn't clean the TB...but the solenoid looks much better)...and after I did that the idle is about 100 rpms lower if I were to guess...and now I have to rev the car up about 2x as longer(steady gas) for it stay idling by itself...
Click to expand...

ttt...and also how much is a Ford idle adjuster?
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Apr 11, 2004
#9
  • Apr 11, 2004
  • #9
The idle plate is about $18 from Ford; others sell it too. But don't get too excited. It was a recall part developed because it allowed Ford a more economical way to solve the problems caused by dirty throttle bodies and iab/c solenoids. All it does is manually bypass a bit of air past the throttle blade. Many, many people have bought them, installed them only to find out they didn't do anything at all to solve their problem. So, buyer beware.
 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Apr 11, 2004
#10
  • Apr 11, 2004
  • #10
5spd GT said:
Well what happened is I put new plugs in the car Autolite 25's...(gapped around .054), cleaned the air filter (was pretty dirty), new fuel filter, and I took off that solenoid and cleaned it with carb cleaner (didn't clean the TB...but the solenoid looks much better)...and after I did that the idle is about 100 rpms lower if I were to guess...and now I have to rev the car up about 2x as longer(steady gas) for it stay idling by itself...
Click to expand...

Thanks... (Look in the qoute above)...so how did that effect my idle...and it also seems to run a bit hotter...that could be just me... ...but I know the idle is lower...
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Apr 11, 2004
#11
  • Apr 11, 2004
  • #11
Lower idle speed slows down both your water pump and your fan rotation speed - so a bit warmer in traffic might occur. 'Course, it's getting to be that time of year too.
 
T

TheUser

Active Member
Jul 25, 2003
1,859
1
36
Springfield, MO
Apr 11, 2004
#12
  • Apr 11, 2004
  • #12
you may call ford and they may tell you they have no idea what you're talking about as far as that part...that's what they told me.
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Apr 11, 2004
#13
  • Apr 11, 2004
  • #13
Well surprise them by telling them to look up part number F2PE-9F938-AA. However, it's a recall item last produced many years ago for 5.0L vehicles that the stopped producing in 95. A lot of dealers won't have it - and it's not a miracle cure in any event.
 

5spd GT

"the 5.0 owns all"
Founding Member
Aug 7, 2002
9,516
6
99
Arkansas
Apr 11, 2004
#14
  • Apr 11, 2004
  • #14
Michael Yount said:
Lower idle speed slows down both your water pump and your fan rotation speed - so a bit warmer in traffic might occur. 'Course, it's getting to be that time of year too.
Click to expand...

Well I got an electric fan...doesn't do the best job at cooling anywayz...lol...and I bet it does have something to do with the warmer weather...do you think the new spark plugs are doing it?...gapped at .054...???...but like I said I "cleaned" the solenoid with lots and lots of carb cleaner and let it air dry...and now I have to keep the gas on about 2x longer to get it to idle on its own...??? Wonder why it does that?...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
Resolved Need some assistance. Holley Terminator X alongside H/C/I. Very rough/inconsistent idle
  • karhoot
  • Jun 6, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
98
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 6, 2026
karhoot
K
H
Holley Carb Tuning Help
  • hassler
  • Oct 25, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
6
Views
346
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 29, 2025
85GTStangGuy
8
Engine Rough idle and aggressive sputtering when accelerating
  • 88vertible
  • Aug 13, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Dec 13, 2025
Jarhead67
J
P
Repeated P2004 DTC trouble code with no apparent symptoms
  • poehitman
  • Mar 11, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
190
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Mar 12, 2026
poehitman
P
C
Stock 1993 charging issue at idle
  • Charlie1
  • Sep 21, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
334
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Sep 24, 2025
Mustang5L5
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?