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Surging idle. Help!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Last5.0Cobra
  • Start date Start date Jul 10, 2009

Last5.0Cobra

New Member
Jun 12, 2007
15
0
0
Seattle, WA
Jul 10, 2009
#1
  • Jul 10, 2009
  • #1
Hello all. Thank you in advance for all of your help.

My car usually idles at 1000 rpm. Right now it is surging between 900-1100 consistently. Also any sudden stops, whether i push the clutch in or brake hard... it dies.

Anyway, i looked through a lot of old posts trying to figure out what the problem is. A few days ago i cleaned the iac, and it didn't seem to help. Maybe i need a new iac? One thing that i have noticed, is if i turn on or off the A/C the problem temporarily goes away.

I actually had a similar problem to this about a year and a half ago. That one turned out to be a bad MAF. This one is different though, because its not throwing any codes.

Some other advice that i already checked was... double checking the idle screw, I have a BBK 70 mm throttle body, so the idle screw is a little allen. (the other screw is frozen) I also tried resetting the codes (even though there was none.)

I know this could be a vacuum leak, but i am not sure where all the vacuum lines are, there aren't many.... right? Anyway, sorry for the long post, and thanks again guys.
 

hollywoodstang

Active Member
May 23, 2006
1,095
2
36
Jul 11, 2009
#2
  • Jul 11, 2009
  • #2
I am having a same problem here. But mine is due to deleting the EGR and EGR tube...my car dies often and can't figure out why... I set the idle little higher 800-900 and it seems to be holding.

Did you delete your EGR as well? Without tune?

Peps will help out i hope

Thanks
L
 

Dizzy_ax

Member
Mar 26, 2008
93
1
8
Troutdale Oregon
Jul 11, 2009
#3
  • Jul 11, 2009
  • #3
Same thing happend to mine, while coming to a stop it starts to die down then surge back up and holds, after 10-30 seconds (while at a stop light) it will almost die and come back again. I have had two tunes with my car so far and i think the tunner forgot to tune the EGR both times. And its a pain in the ass to even get back there to have him "tune" the egr out of the system.


Some day soon i hope to get back to him and have it "tuned out" i will post in here if it actually did anything because i have tried everything...
 
9

94cobra#519

New Member
Jun 1, 2009
86
0
0
fresno cali.
Jul 11, 2009
#4
  • Jul 11, 2009
  • #4
i have the same problem mainly when the engine is still cold. anyone have any ideas?
 
S

sublimobile

New Member
May 18, 2009
5
1
0
Indiana
Jul 13, 2009
#5
  • Jul 13, 2009
  • #5
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls. Gather round, cus I think I know whats wrong with your car.

Let me run down my symptoms first, as I had the same issue.

-94 Mustang Cobra - 95K miles
-when coming to a stop, idle would drop too low and then surge back up too high.
-problem was more persistent when cold outside
-coming to quicker stops usually stalled out completely
-sometimes, just stopping at a stop sign would stall the engine

So my engine was leaking oil. Thought it was oil pan and this is a job if you dont know--have to jack up the engine, so I took it to the mechanic. He said it was leaking out the valve covers---wierd? He did a little investigating and found that my PCV valve was clogged. just full of c.rap.

Anyways, I wasnt expecting it, but by replaceing the clogged PCV valve, it fixed my idle surge/stalling issue. What a nice, easy surprise.

Try it out. Its cheap and its worked for me and one other guy I told already.

Good Luck


PS: I also did the IAC reaplcement and cleaned my MAF sensor before I found out the real culprit.
 

Last5.0Cobra

New Member
Jun 12, 2007
15
0
0
Seattle, WA
Jul 13, 2009
#6
  • Jul 13, 2009
  • #6
Okay, so no i haven't deleted my EGR literally or via tune.

Funny that you mention the PCV, because i thought that it might be the culprit and purchased one from a Ford dealership last week. When i got home i realized it wasn't where i thought it was..... where is the PCV valve located on our cars?
 
3

302GTS

If you need herpes, I'm your man!
Apr 20, 2009
481
2
18
Largo, FL
Jul 13, 2009
#7
  • Jul 13, 2009
  • #7
The PCV is in between a lower intake a hard place. It's behind the intake, I believe closer to the passenger side, but I could be wrong. I'm sure someone has a better idea, and I know I've seen a picture of where it's located, which I'll try and find tonight to post.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
34
129
Jul 13, 2009
#8
  • Jul 13, 2009
  • #8
Jeff is correct.

Replace the grommet and get a new screen (called a breather at parts stores) or clean your old one.
Use Motorcraft for the valve and grommet (aftermarket stuff doesn't fit tight enough all that often).
 
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