Some mechanical and maintenence ?'s

88SaleenClone

New Member
Jan 10, 2006
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Fairfield, CA
When I start my car when it's cold, it idles nicely at about 750 rpms. I let it warm up 5 mins and start driving. As soon as I come to a stop, the idle is now at 1,000-1,100 rpms and any time I stop after that, that's where it idles. If I drive it hard then come to a stop, the idle surges from 500-1,100 rpms for about 10-15 seconds and then it evens out back at 1,000 rpms. I just got the car 6 months ago and hardly drive it and haven't done any maintenence... I'm wondering what I could do to fix the idle. I was thinking maybe its pcv valve or iac valve...That's just a guess though. Could it also be a vacuum leak? I know there is a surging idle thread but I was just wondering if someone could chime in that has heard these exact symptoms and tell me what they think.

Now, kind of unrelated. I do drive the car hard and today while on the highway a new Charger RT wanted to play and I was going about 70 mph and dropped it to 3rd and floored it until redline. So once I was going way too fast, I tried to shift to 5th but it didn't want to shift. The shifting has been a little notchy since I bought the car but now it seems I have accelerated the problem. When I came to a stop I had a hell of a time getting it back into 1st gear. And now the shifting is very notchy and the faster I drive and shift the harder it is to do so... I also noticed that now when I come to a stop, at idle the car vibrates pretty noticeably...which worries me. What does this sound like? Could it be as simple as a worn clutch that finally gave? I haven't checked the clutch or tranny fluid, I guess that would be the first thing to do huh? ;)
 
See the sticky "Help me create the Surging Idle Checklist" at the top of the forum for help with your idle problems. The first post in the sticky has almost all the details you need.

Definitely check the trans fluid, T5's use Dextron ATF.

Sounds like your clutch may need some adjustment. The stock quadrant won't do the job like it should. Plan on getting an adjustble quadrant and cable if you don't already have one.
 
Your mustang does not have a hydraulic clutch, but I would recomend you check the trans. fluid. To do so there is small plug, I think on the drivers side of the transmission ( been a while since I checked mine!), that comes off with a 3/8 or 1/2" drive rachet. You should be able to stick your little finger in the hole and feel the fluid just below the opening. And you will absolutley want to invest in an adj cable, with a good quadrant, I suggest the Steeda piece, I have had it on 3 of my Mustangs with 0 problems. Good luck:nice: