Idle problems with Thunderbird LX

[DonNiggera]

I think I posted about this once already...but here goes again!

My Thunderbird LX '93 (5.0L v8) doesn't start that well, and when it's started, it won't stay on if I don't give it gas constantly. After long enough of doing this/driving, it'll idle at ~500rpm's at a stop, when it drops below 500rpm's, the car shakes, when it goes back to >500rpm's, the car is fine.

It gets to be a problem, and makes driving less fun, to say the least... I'll be going to the bank or something, taking a turn, and the car will die in the middle of the turn ~_~... If I keep it revved above 500rpm's myself, it's fine though. However, to do this I have to hold my foot on the brakes, and the accelerator.

The car WAS great the day before this started happening... I went to chinese once, and the car wouldn't start normally, so I gave it gas at the same time, and it started, but outside of that, the car never starts normally anymore...

 

[woodly6]

Just a hunch:

It might be the Idle Control Solonoid. Its a smaller plasic box on the top of the engine near the front winsheild.

The Best thing to is take to any garage and pay around $50 to have a dagnostics run on it. That will usally tell you what exactlly is wrong with the car!



I am not a mechanic these are just suggestions.

<--Trying to help!

 

[Dark4ng3l]

buy newer, non american(as in not cheapasss) car

 

[DonNiggera]

Mom bought this car in '94 for $16,000, dick.
Worked great for 7 years, just this one problem in all that time.

 

[JACKHAMMER]

check your fuel filter and get your injectors cleaned. You could also try resetting the computer by taking the positive ( or is it negative) part of the cable off.

 

[DonNiggera]

Thx for the suggestions, Jackhammer, and thx again for not being like Dark4ng3l. I'll try them a.s.a.p.

Still open for any other possible suggestions!

 

[marketsons1985]

Call Car Talk

 

[JohnnyKnoxville]

Well there you go next time don't go to chinese,and don't buy a japcrap car because they is suck

 

[iamwiz82]

<< I bought this car in '94 for $16,000, dick.
Worked great for 7 years, just this one problem in all that time. >>



Isnt this your mom's car, not yours? As you stated in your 1990 Ford probe with a body kit.

 

[DonNiggera]

Yes, I should have said "My mom paid" but it's the same difference...
(i'll edit the message)
I don't have the probe anymore

All cars "suck" in their rightful ways, you can't have a perfect car that simply won't mess up. It just doesn't happen.

A lot of people have problems with Ford, Chevy, Mitsubishi, Saturn, etc, etc...

There are tons of people with their own little problems for each little company, and I disregard anyone's thoughts as to "They suck because I personally..." You have to think of all the people that actually take care of their car, and have no problems with it also.

 

[Dark4ng3l]

... that was a joke... I meant that the car wa sgeting old and you needed something new... anyways i guess french canadian humor sucks..

 

[DonNiggera]

Next time you mean it to be a joke, use a lot of exclamation marks, a smiley face or two, that way someone can tell it's a joke... If you don't use smiley's, it sounds all serious and stuff. --> <-- doesn't that just brighten my entire message up?

 

[Dark4ng3l]

Yeah whatever... I drive a nissan sentra 92... Maybe im just jealous

 

[morkinva]

change the pcv valve
turn up the idle screw (temporary)
put in some 'drygas'
change gas filter (as mentioned by other)
seek professional help

the idle doesn't 'roll' does it ?
edit>> i.e. go from 500 to 1000 then back to 500 again

 

[DonNiggera]

What is "roll" ?

 

[Pacfanweb]

Don, your problem is likely caused by the Idle Air Control valve. This is located on the side of the throttle body....it's a silver, sort of long round thing....looks kind of like a little rocket ship. It has two 8mm (or 5/16") bolts holding it on, and one plastic connector with 2 wires that plugs into it.
When you replace it, you should also clean the throttle plate. This consists of taking the tube from the air cleaner off, spraying some cleaner into the throttle body, and either wiping it out with and old rag, or scrubbing with an old toothbrush. After replacing the IAC and cleaning the throttle body, disconnect the negative battery cable for a few minutes (5 is more than plenty), then start the engine. Let it run in park for 3 minutes, then get in and let it idle in gear for 3 min, then turn the A/C on for 3 min, then drive. The computer is now re-learning how to idle the engine based on its current configuration. It may run kind of funky for awhile, but will eventually smooth out.

You could just hop in and start driving, but it's liable to stall on you a few times while learning.

NOTE: buy the cleaner at a dealership, and specify that you want the kind that WON'T harm the Teflon coating inside the throttle body.