Idle Problems... HELP!

[thewizz]

Hi everyone!
I have been chasing an idle problem now for quite some time. I have a 93 LX Convertible w/ a 5.0 5 spd. When I am running down the road and push in the clutch or just put the car in neutral it "idles" at 1500RPM. Then after a min. or so it will drop down to about 1200-13000 for about a min then down to about 1000 for about a min then back up to 1200 then back down then back up and so on... I know it is not my Idle control valve because I have completely blocked it off with a gasket to make sure it wasn't that. I have checked my MAF and it seems to be ok. So... I ran codes to see if anything showed up but nothing stored, however, when I ran the running test it came back with 41 (lean) and 91 (O2 sensor). Could my O2 sensors realy be causing my car to idle like this? Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[jrichker]

How do you spell S-E-A-R-C-H? If you had used it, you would have found this:

You guys with idle problems could same 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 post has all the fixes, and steps through the how to find and fix you idle problems without spending a lot of time and money. 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.

 

[thewizz]

I will look through this agian, since I already have once and everything seemed to be talking about Idle Control valve and a few other things that I have already tried.

I AM SORRY I WASTED YOUR TIME I WILL STAY OFF OF YOR PRECIOUS FORUM FROM NOW ON!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Fett]

I will look through this agian, since I already have once and everything seemed to be talking about Idle Control valve and a few other things that I have already tried.

I AM SORRY I WASTED YOUR TIME I WILL STAY OFF OF YOR PRECIOUS FORUM FROM NOW ON!!!!!!!!!!

He wasn't picking on you, he was just trying to help you. You have to understand, it seems that once a week someone posts the same exact question, asking about their surging idle. It's not just you bud, a lot of people ask before searching, don't take it personal.

As far as the list goes, it is quite extensive and WILL solve your problem. There are a lot of "steps" to take because there are a LOT of reasons for a surging idle, ranging from simple IAC issues to electrical ground issues, and everything in between. Just start from the top and go through each suggestion one by one, you WILL find the problem.

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=534062&highlight=idle+checklist

There is the thread in question. Good luck.

 

[ShortThrow50]

The reason i started posting on this forum was because i thought this 5.0 crowd was cool with one another and was different from the rest. After reading what the one guy posted I was shocked. Way to welcome a guy after he had 2 posts.

 

[Fett]

Yea, but frustration can get the best of even a "seasoned vet". Don't take it personal. I imagine it gets frustrating when the community, as a whole, is asked the same questions over and over and over again. Especially when the answer is easily found by searching.

Again, don't take it personal....we have all been guilty at one point. I used to do the same thing, I would think that my question was uncommon so I would ask....only to watch my thread fall away with no replies. Then I would use the search feature and find a ton of threads dealing with the same question I was asking.

jrichker is one of the most knowledgeable and HELPFUL members of the forum.....almost too helpful sometimes if you ask me. He will not only provide information, but usually back it up with pictures and links.

 

[tjm73]

Wow!!! I missed the checklist thread. Great stuff. I gotta print it and use it.

If not for this thread I may never have seen it.

 

[HISSIN50]

Welcome to the forum.

Fett is right on. I have the feeling that the idle surging sticky came about because JRichker was so tired of seeing the same recursive threads (Fett was being kind; we see one once an hour, not week ). It's further adds frustration when there's not enough info provided initially to be able to help much.

You will want to post the exact time that the high idle occurs. When in between shifts or while rolling, it's normal for the idle to hang to prevent stalling. Once you stop moving, the idle should hunker down.

What is your cold and hot idle setting? If you have the idle set high enough that blocking off the IAC pathways doesn't cause any near stalling situations, you might be far enough above the commanded idle that it's playing head-games with your puter.

Vac leaks can also cause a high idle.

Based on what you've posted, while going through JR's Sticky, consider that it sounds like your base idle might be set a little high (cold-starting at 1500 RPM, then surging thereafter. More idle info from you would be needed to say more).

Good luck.

 

[jrichker]

I will look through this agian, since I already have once and everything seemed to be talking about Idle Control valve and a few other things that I have already tried.

I AM SORRY I WASTED YOUR TIME I WILL STAY OFF OF YOR PRECIOUS FORUM FROM NOW ON!!!!!!!!!!

Don't be so thin skinned, my comments were not meant to be a personal attack. If you spend any time around here at all, you'll get lots of fun poked at you, correction of your mistakes and some valuable education. Wait until you meet up with Strype. Your thread will go spiraling off towards the sun, shooting sparks in every direction.

The search feature does more that find what you want, it opens up the experiences of the collective. You get not only the input of the few people that respond to you, but the vast log of experience and wisdom of those who were here before you.