Finally got around to that pesky idle........

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v8thunder1 said:
My post explains all there is to it. if you drive a 5-speed then you should have noticed that the idle in these cars takes DAYS to drop down. if you havent noticed, cool- go about your day. But if you have noticed and you want to fix it just go to the hardware store and but a .29cent 1/2" copper cap and drill the center of it using a 9/32 drill bit and then throw it into the hose between the iac and that little black box. Then log back onto stangnet, click the forums link and thank me for the super cheap fix.

This sounds like a worthwhile mod to me...I'll have to give it a try and let you know. Thanks :nice:
 
Well, I put it back in to go get some applicators for my wax and it worked really well. :nice: Seems I was just being a bit hastey before. :nonono: I used about a 9/32 in hole. I didn't have a drill bit so I had to use a tape measure to measure the hole. Though I did find this from a thread at the corral...

ford procedure is as follows:
1. get engine to operating tempurature. turn off ac, radio, etc.
2. disconnect IAC (idle air contol soleniod). if engine stalls turn throttle stop in one full turn and restart engine.
3. set throttle stop to desired idle speed (rpm)
4. set throttle position sensor anywhere from .96 to .99 volts. loosen the mounting screws and lightly rotate the sensor till the voltage is within range (use a mutimeter to check as your rotating). you may have to drill out the mounting holes to reach the desired range.
5. turn off engine. disconnect negative battery cable for 15-20 minutes. tap the breaks to ensure all capacitive power is lost.
this will reset the computer to factory defaults.
6. reconnect IAC. then connect battery cable.
7. restart engine and drive for about 15 minutes so the computer can relearn any settings that have been changed since factory.
8. if problem persists, inspect for mas air meter problems and possible vacuum leaks.
you may have to perform this procedure a couple times till the rev down is correct.
the first time i did this my engine would take about 7 seconds to rev down from 2000 rpm. this was due to the throttle position sensor being out of time(range). careful when tightening the screws back down because it will want to rotate in that direction.
also i was told that when you disconnect the solenoid harness and if the car dies, this is a dead give away that your throttle is not set right.
a quick check also is to turn the key to the on position but not starting the engine. then check your voltage on the tps.

here is the thread> http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=286522&highlight=hanging+idle

I think I might try is some time. :nice:
 
Hey Krly79, I noticed in my Haynes Repair manual that it states that the idle speed on the 3.8/4.6L engines is not adjustable. This procedure requires a special SCAN tool to extract working parameters(voltage signals) from the EEC-V system while its running. This is just what the manual says. Let me know if this is not true. Also does anyone have a picture of where the IAC Valve is that I need to disconnect to see if my car stalls? Oh, it also states that the Throttle Position Sensor is a non-adjustable unit. So, how would I reduce it to the reading I need. Can someone further elaborate on this. Thanks.
 
Wikkdgt:
well, as for the adjusting the TPS, you can take the screws out and elongate the holes so you can rotate it to the left and the right a little. I wouldn't think that you would need to move it alot. Now about the idle and the throttle stop, I was under the impression that is wasn't adjustable as well. I guess I will find out tommorow. :shrug:

GinoGT:
The IAC is attached to your upper intake plenum with a hose running to a square (hollow btw) box and then to the rubber intake induction that goes to your Throttle body. There is a plug that plugs into it. The whole should NOT be entirely plugged. Buy a 1/2 in copper pipe cap and drill a 9/32 in hole in the center, slide it in the hose in between the IAC and the square black box.
 
Alright since I'm still confused about where these things are I took some pics of the throttle body and the surrounding items. Can someone tell me or maybe somehow mark on the pictures and circle the items I am looking for. I am looking for the IAC, and the TPS. I also need to know how are you supposed to adjust the TPS sensor. Can someone show me where the screws are? Also when you are checking the volts with the meter, should it be on AC or DC Volts and on what setting amount or range? Anyways here are the pics:

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Wikkdgt said:
Alright since I'm still confused about where these things are I took some pics of the throttle body and the surrounding items. Can someone tell me or maybe somehow mark on the pictures and circle the items I am looking for. I am looking for the IAC, and the TPS. I also need to know how are you supposed to adjust the TPS sensor. Can someone show me where the screws are? Also when you are checking the volts with the meter, should it be on AC or DC Volts and on what setting amount or range? Anyways here are the pics:

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fa1baa57.jpg


fa1baa61.jpg

The red circle is the TPS and the blue circle shows the IAC...
:nice:
 

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my TPS is reading 3.6 volts, it says it's supposed to read .5 to 1.0 volts at idle, but my IAC reading is 12.1 which is fine. Do I need to replace my TPS? If so, do I need to buy it from Ford or would an auto parts store have these?
 
Wikkdgt said:
my TPS is reading 3.6 volts, it says it's supposed to read .5 to 1.0 volts at idle, but my IAC reading is 12.1 which is fine. Do I need to replace my TPS? If so, do I need to buy it from Ford or would an auto parts store have these?

You can adjust your TPS, but make sure you are taking you measurements off of the bottom two wires with the a/c off, radio off, lights off, etc. you can also just turn the key on with the engine off and take the measurement that way.

Now what you will need to do is unscrew the two screws that holds it on. This is alot easier said than done. You might have to take it off and elongate the mounting holes to allow you to rotate it a little. Put it back on and tighten the screws down just enough to hold it in place when you rotate it. Then take a voltage reading and rotate it until you achieve the .96 to .99 or whatever it is. I measured mine today and it was at .96 so I left it alone.
 
Yeah I was pulling the TPS off and testing it from the front. Not realizing that it needed to be checked while plugged in. I got a 1.0 on mine. Now I can't get the screws to break loose. Anyways I got the 1/2" copper cap but am wondering, do you put it on the end of the hose closest to the IAC or the end closest to the black box?
 
Well put in the copper cap and noticed an immediate difference when I put it in neutral and revved it up. Still drops kinda slow but major difference in how it was. Also makes my Magnaflows girgle more on the downward.