Need help fox stalling idle

Cliffhanger · 08-05-2008, 03:29 PM

Hey guys, appreciate any help diagnosing the problem:

recently, my car started draining power from the battery and stalling at idle. I thought they might be related, since they seemed to start at the same time, as best I can remember, so for awhile I just avoided using the car, and then when I had some money I took it into the shop, which completely redid alot of the wiring between battery and alternator, and now the car is properly charging the battery. Unfortunately, the car still stalls at low speeds, and If at all possible I need to avoid dumping tons of money at another shop. As long as she's moving in drive, she runs great, its only at idle speeds in drive, or when in park.

It will idle okay for awhile (and seems to last longer the longer I've been driving it that day) but after awhile it'll start to sputter, it'll overcompensate and rev up some, and then it'll drop down way low for a second, oscillating back and forth until finally it drops too low and the engine stalls.

'90 Mustang GT, V8 5.0, Automatic transmission, lots of aftermarket parts from repairs but kept most things close to OEM.

Any idea where the problem is? Any solutions to how to fix it on the cheap?
thanks guys.

XavB · 08-05-2008, 03:46 PM

check this thread out....Help me create the "Surging Idle Checklist" - Mustang Forums at StangNet ...it has a list of things to look at if you are having idle issues. i'm going through sort of the same issue with my 92 right now, and don't have much money to be spending on the car right now either lol. also try pulling the codes from your car to see whats going on.

Cliffhanger · 08-05-2008, 03:49 PM

Awesome link, I'll start digging through what that says this weekend.

CraZy6 · 08-05-2008, 05:15 PM

Check your MAF and make sure it is clean as well. Then drill a 1/8 hole in your TB plate. This allow air to keep your car at idle. But what modifications do you have?

Cliffhanger · 08-05-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraZy6

Check your MAF and make sure it is clean as well. Then drill a 1/8 hole in your TB plate. This allow air to keep your car at idle. But what modifications do you have?

Yeah, I was already thinking about the intake, I've got a big cold air intake that I'm not sure if it was standard or not, but I'll clean the hell out of it. Drill a hole? sounds so crazy it just might work :P

mods are things ranging from valve covers and rockers and stuff, to complete replacement of the exhaust system, but nothing that should be affecting this.

thatdavidkid · 08-05-2008, 07:54 PM

if you can't figure it out, shoot me a pm, i have a labscope, and live sort of near you, we could check sensor readings and what not

Forged331 · 08-05-2008, 08:40 PM

Ford Mustang IAC IAB - Solving your idle problems

http://superstangs.net/Documents/Idlechecklist.mht

The Corral

That stangnet one is excellent as well. This is a common problem, I had it on my 89. Usually it is something cheap, or free that fixes the problem...its just a PITA to find.

Good luck.

Steve

Cliffhanger · 08-08-2008, 01:16 PM

Unfortunately, overnight she seemed to develop a major power steering leak. The headaches never end

Those things you guys posted look like great guides though, I haven't had much time to work on the car cuz of work, but I'll spend all of this weekend going through those and hopefully I can scratch this problem off the checklist.

08-05-2008, 03:29 PM	#1
Cliffhanger The man with the master plan Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Richardson Posts: 12 Trader Rating: (0)	Need help fox stalling idle Hey guys, appreciate any help diagnosing the problem: recently, my car started draining power from the battery and stalling at idle. I thought they might be related, since they seemed to start at the same time, as best I can remember, so for awhile I just avoided using the car, and then when I had some money I took it into the shop, which completely redid alot of the wiring between battery and alternator, and now the car is properly charging the battery. Unfortunately, the car still stalls at low speeds, and If at all possible I need to avoid dumping tons of money at another shop. As long as she's moving in drive, she runs great, its only at idle speeds in drive, or when in park. It will idle okay for awhile (and seems to last longer the longer I've been driving it that day) but after awhile it'll start to sputter, it'll overcompensate and rev up some, and then it'll drop down way low for a second, oscillating back and forth until finally it drops too low and the engine stalls. '90 Mustang GT, V8 5.0, Automatic transmission, lots of aftermarket parts from repairs but kept most things close to OEM. Any idea where the problem is? Any solutions to how to fix it on the cheap? thanks guys.

08-05-2008, 03:46 PM	#2
XavB Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 194 Trader Rating: (0)	check this thread out....Help me create the "Surging Idle Checklist" - Mustang Forums at StangNet ...it has a list of things to look at if you are having idle issues. i'm going through sort of the same issue with my 92 right now, and don't have much money to be spending on the car right now either lol. also try pulling the codes from your car to see whats going on. __________________ 1992 LX 5.0 - Twisted Wedge heads, Trickflow Stage 1 cam, Trickflow Streetburner Intake, Trickflow 1.6rr's, BBK shorty headers & o/r h-pipe, flowmaster catback, FRPP 4.10s, FRPP 24lb injectors, Granatelli MAF, BBK CAI, BBK 65mm throttle body, BBK FPR, Maximum Motorsports LCA's, CC plates, and strut tower brace, LMM full length SFC's, Mach 1 springs, and Bilstein shocks and struts

08-05-2008, 07:54 PM	#6
thatdavidkid looks mean, workin' on the fast Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Denton Posts: 3,901 Trader Rating: (1)	if you can't figure it out, shoot me a pm, i have a labscope, and live sort of near you, we could check sensor readings and what not __________________ 1991 lx coupe t-5 swap, billit quadrant, upr firewall adjuster, steeda tri-ax, custom jb tool and fab one off subframe connectors, 8.8 w/posi and 4.10's with 5 lug axles, tubular upper control arms, southside lowers, and pbr twin piston front calipers with "snowflake" wheels

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08-05-2008, 03:49 PM	#3
Cliffhanger The man with the master plan Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Richardson Posts: 12 Trader Rating: (0)	Awesome link, I'll start digging through what that says this weekend.

08-05-2008, 05:15 PM	#4
CraZy6 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Corpus Christi,TX Posts: 830 Trader Rating: (0)	Check your MAF and make sure it is clean as well. Then drill a 1/8 hole in your TB plate. This allow air to keep your car at idle. But what modifications do you have?

08-05-2008, 08:40 PM	#7
Forged331 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Castroville Posts: 56 Trader Rating: (0)	Ford Mustang IAC IAB - Solving your idle problems http://superstangs.net/Documents/Idlechecklist.mht The Corral That stangnet one is excellent as well. This is a common problem, I had it on my 89. Usually it is something cheap, or free that fixes the problem...its just a PITA to find. Good luck. Steve

08-08-2008, 01:16 PM	#8
Cliffhanger The man with the master plan Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Richardson Posts: 12 Trader Rating: (0)	Unfortunately, overnight she seemed to develop a major power steering leak. The headaches never end Those things you guys posted look like great guides though, I haven't had much time to work on the car cuz of work, but I'll spend all of this weekend going through those and hopefully I can scratch this problem off the checklist.