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

Idle issue

  • Thread starter Thread starter GMan79
  • Start date Start date May 7, 2023
G

GMan79

Member
Jan 15, 2022
14
4
13
Ohio
May 7, 2023
#1
  • May 7, 2023
  • #1
I know, another idle issue post.

My 88GT idles up at start up and settles to 750 rpm when cold. Once I drive it and it warms up it surges to anywhere from 1200-1500 rpm and stays there until I put it into gear. With it running I disconnected the IAC and instead of it having trouble staying running and stalling it drops down to 750 rpm and idles fine. Any thoughts on what route to take to fix this issue?
Thanks
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
27,826
10,507
203
polk county florida
May 7, 2023
#2
  • May 7, 2023
  • #2
Right off the top I would look for a vacuum leak.
Check for codes, look for lean codes.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a mechanic, I just can't afford to pay anybody to screw something up so I have to do it myself.
Oh, any modifications?
 
G

GMan79

Member
Jan 15, 2022
14
4
13
Ohio
May 7, 2023
#3
  • May 7, 2023
  • #3
Only mods are ported lower intake, headers and exhaust. I have to get a timing gun to set the timing and go from there.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
27,826
10,507
203
polk county florida
May 7, 2023
#4
  • May 7, 2023
  • #4
GMan79 said:
Only mods are ported lower intake, headers and exhaust. I have to get a timing gun to set the timing and go from there.
Click to expand...
Did you move the distributor?
 
G

GMan79

Member
Jan 15, 2022
14
4
13
Ohio
May 8, 2023
#5
  • May 8, 2023
  • #5
I didn’t move the distributor. Last night I put marks at 10 and 14 on the harmonic balancer. I’ve watched several YouTube videos on setting the timing. Once I know the timing is right then I can do a base idle reset. Watched a couple videos about that as well.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
27,826
10,507
203
polk county florida
May 8, 2023
#6
  • May 8, 2023
  • #6
Have you checked out the 'Technical/How to' thread ?

Technical Thread/how-to Index

Guys, if "that should be a sticky," then please reply to this thread with the link to your suggestion and why you think it should be added. How to determine if a thread should be included: - Does the topic address a common fox 5.0 owner's needs? / Is it a frequently asked question? / Is it...
stangnet.com
 
G

GMan79

Member
Jan 15, 2022
14
4
13
Ohio
May 8, 2023
#7
  • May 8, 2023
  • #7
I haven’t, but I will now. Thanks
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,158
17,852
224
Massachusetts
May 8, 2023
#8
  • May 8, 2023
  • #8
Dumo your codes (no check engine on '88) and perform a smoke test/check for vac leaks.

Those older speed density cars are VERY sensitive to vac leaks
 
Reactions: General karthief

88VinoVert

Member
Sep 20, 2022
6
3
13
Alexandria, VA
May 8, 2023
#9
  • May 8, 2023
  • #9
GMan79 said:
I know, another idle issue post.

My 88GT idles up at start up and settles to 750 rpm when cold. Once I drive it and it warms up it surges to anywhere from 1200-1500 rpm and stays there until I put it into gear. With it running I disconnected the IAC and instead of it having trouble staying running and stalling it drops down to 750 rpm and idles fine. Any thoughts on what route to take to fix this issue?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Howdy,

My 88 LX was doing something similar. In my case, I just cleaned the IAC valve and throttle body with some throttle body cleaner and it started behaving. You may have already done this, just offering my path of least resistance solution. Good luck
 
Reactions: General karthief
G

GMan79

Member
Jan 15, 2022
14
4
13
Ohio
May 9, 2023
#10
  • May 9, 2023
  • #10
Well, I set the timing at 10. I’m in the process of doing a base idle reset and the initial TPS reading was 1.25. I can’t get the TPS reading to go below 1.1. I even drilled the openings for the screws so that I can adjust it more.
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,774
3,910
183
Claremore, OK
May 9, 2023
#11
  • May 9, 2023
  • #11
Pull the TPS off the throttle body and see if it will even go that low. May be that the TPS is shot.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,158
17,852
224
Massachusetts
May 9, 2023
#12
  • May 9, 2023
  • #12
1.1 is still acceptable.

Anything from 0.5v to 1.25 is acceptable. Outside that range you get a code 23/63. No code…carry on.


I have no idea what my tps voltage is. Never measured. I regular pull codes on my car and if I don’t have a tps code I don’t worry a second about it.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
27,826
10,507
203
polk county florida
May 9, 2023
#13
  • May 9, 2023
  • #13
Check how far the idle screw is turned in. You may need a base idle reset then check the tps.
 
Reactions: AeroCoupe
G

GMan79

Member
Jan 15, 2022
14
4
13
Ohio
May 10, 2023
#14
  • May 10, 2023
  • #14
Well I think I did it! I got my tps to read .985. I had to elongate the holes for the 2 tps mounting screws. Once I did that I performed the base idle reset again and so far no idle issues. Let’s hope it stays that way for the foreseeable future. Thanks for all of the advice.
 
Reactions: 4cylredfox89, KZGUNS and AeroCoupe
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