Low RPM's... Stalling...

[ksteak1]

When I first start up my 1987 5.0 LX (115K basically stock), it will fire up and then the RPM's will often drop pretty low (~500 or lower), putter around, and sometimes stalls out. Usually, if I rev it a little when I first start it up, it's fine and good to go.

Now it's starting to do it more... sometimes even when I roll to a stop (ie parking) it will putter out and stall on me.

Otherwise, the car runs fine and there's been no recent work/changes to the system. It runs and idles fine once it's going.

Is this a timing issue? Fuel delivery?? I ran a fuel system cleaner and premium gas but it didn't seem to help.

Any suggestions are much appreciated! THANKS!

 

[Fox8950]

Sounds like typical problems if it makes ya feel any better may try giving your idle air control and MAF a good cleaning for starters and if that dont help might dig deeper like 02 sensors and stuff, run yourself through the surging idle checklist if all else fails for ideas .. I know you don't technically have this but alot of the things on it would help you I think.

 

[stangrod2000]

My buddy had a problem similar to that so I hope this helps. He just picked up a 90 convertible gt with 107k on the clock. When he would try to start the car it would idle for about 10 seconds then die out. This would go on for about five to ten minutes, and then the car would be ok. When the car would sit for six or eight hours the car would have the same problem again. Once the engine warmed up a little bit. it was fine. it ended up being the TFI IV module. Corrected the problem. Like I said I hope this helps!

 

[jrichker]

See "Help me create the Surging Idle Checklist" at http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=698148
for help with your idle problems. The first two posts contain all the updates to the fixes. I continue to update it as more people post fixes or ask questions.

 

[ksteak1]

Thanks guys... just wanted to give a followup for anyone who finds this post later.

I got some throttlebody/intake cleaner from an autoparts store and cleaned out my IAB and TB really well. There was some nasty black carbon crap comin' out of them!

Let it dry and hooked it back up -- runs much better now! RPM's not dipping/putzing out at all, even on a cold start with no throttle. Good stuff! Thanks for the help!