Problems With Idle

[sn95prospector]

I just received my car back from Ford after they fixed my alternator and when I start the car the idle is at 600, and jumps around from 500 to 600. I think it may be one of the idle wires attached to the throttle body, because before I gave the car to ford it had the same problem and it had weak acceleration. I havent had the car for weeks so I can't really tell if there is a slight lag in acceleration or not. I thought it could be the tune, but why would the rpm's jump around like that. Im pretty sure there aren't cams in there, although I bought it from the stealership so you never know. WHATS GOING ON

 

[bigb427]

When they replaced the alternator the battery was most likely disconnected which caused the cars computer to loose it's memory. The computer will learn idle strategy over time while you drive it along with other various parameters. Your car most likely has some mileage on it so it has accumulated some wear and sludge on the electronic throttle body. Cars with higher mileage on them suffer this problem worse. You can keep driving the car and it will eventually get better, or you can clean the throttle body (disconnect the battery for at least a minute when you are done), or you can return the car to the dealer. Cleaning the throttle body may or may not fix it. It usually will. Be forewarned though that cleaning the throttle body is not covered by warranty. The dealership will try to sell you either a throttle body cleaning service or replacement of the throttle body itself.

 

[lsmit541]

Seafoam has a throttle body cleaning 'kit' with a specially designed tube that attaches to the lip of the throttle body and provides a good point to spray. Works good on a few cars that I tried it on....