Mustang won't stay running

[gtstangau]

I know I am not the only one with this problem as I have read hundreds of threads about peoples stangs not idling right. Mine has all the classic symtoms of an IAC problem, idols anywhere from 400rpm all the way up 1500rpm. It is making me mad, I take it to shows and stuff and it goes dead in front of everybody and always sound like its about to stall out. Talk about embarrising. I have cleaned and replaced the IAC countless times, but the same problem always comes back to bite me in the ass. Have any of you guys found out a solution to this problem? Need help badly cause im about ready to my car of a cliff or something.

 

[2002GreyGT]

Stop cleaning the IAC and replace it, they are cheap man. Maybe $40 or so.

I did mine and it took 5 min and idles fine after a while. After first start it took a while to smooth out, but after a drive it was all good.

~K

 

[gtstangau]

I have replaced it! It is the third one it ran fine for a little while but it always returns. I don't feel like having to buy a new IAC every couple months.

 

[mity2]

do what I did. Buy one, and replace it. And since yours are prolly clean enough, return that. It worked like charm for me

 

[tomustang]

clean the ports comming from the IAC to the intake

 

[DaNd4Speed]

He should only need to replace the IAT once, anything more than that then there is probably something else contributing to the IAT failing. Perhaps there is excessive oil blowing by the upper intake plenum?

 

[gtstangau]

I want to try and buy a handheld tuner like the SCT or DIABLO, and get my computer to set it at a certain idle rpm. Does anyone know if that would work? I need to buy one for the gears coming soon so maybe that would fix my problem.

 

[DaNd4Speed]

I want to try and buy a handheld tuner like the SCT or DIABLO, and get my computer to set it at a certain idle rpm. Does anyone know if that would work? I need to buy one for the gears coming soon so maybe that would fix my problem.

It may fix your problem if your idle is too low, but you said that the car is surging between 400 and 1500 rpms. In that case I would say the programmer would not fix your problem, since it would only raise your baseline idle (which is already set to a proper idle). I really think you'll only be putting a band-aid for a quick fix by doing that. The car shouldn't be doing this if you've left everything alone. I would really get the advice of a skilled mechanic to see what is really causing your problem.

 

[gtstangau]

all the people at ford tell me is that it is the IAC.

 

[stng]

clean the ports comming from the IAC to the intake

+1

 

[Mike97gt]

where are you buying these IAC's from?

I also agree with those that said to clean the IAC ports. Another thing you might want to look at is the condition of the IAC electrical connector. If the connector pins have corrosion on them then you may be cleaning the connection enough with each replacement of the iac for normal operation and then in a few months th corrosion worsens and then the problems come back.

 

[gtstangau]

I guess I will get out there tomorrow and clean out the ports and stuff. Because that whole going dead all the time thing sucks. And all of these IAC's have been motorcraft parts so you they shouldn't keep going bad.

 

[mity2]

but you said that the car is surging between 400 and 1500 rpms.

You know I just remenbered. Last time my car did exact same thing, and after replacing IAC failed to fix the probrem, it turned out that my PCV valve gasket under intake pipe was loose. u might want to try that

 

[gtstangau]

I might go ahead and try some of that Seafoam stuff on it to clean it out. The car has 93k miles on it and has never had anything like that done before so im sure it cant hurt to try.