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CEL and Stalling Issue

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Old Feb 15, 2016 | 01:40 PM
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CEL and Stalling Issue

Hey guys, so kinda got an issue here, I got a 1988 F150 XLT Lariat. My truck has been starting fairly okay, but it'll rev up a bit then go down, then die...Unless I push the accelerator for a while. Sometimes a belt will squeal or I will smell gas. Also at initial start up, I will usually have to shift from D,P, or R while accelerating just a bit or it will stall on me. Once I have driven for a bit and the engine is warm everything seems fine. The CEL will come on, and usually will turn off when I accelerate past 1500 rpms, then come back on again once I let off the gas. This is extremely frustrating in the winter here. I have some possible ideas but I wanna see what you guys out there have to say before I take 'er into the repair shop. Thanks!
 
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Old Feb 15, 2016 | 03:50 PM
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Check the codes, it is what your CEL is telling you.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2016 | 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by RIKIL
Check the codes, it is what your CEL is telling you.
I am unsure how, I took into O'Reillys and they said they wouldn't be able to do it.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2016 | 04:30 PM
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Some places only check ODBII codes. Anyway, you have an EEC IV, there is a way to check the codes without a code reader, see the "Hookup" section here - EEC IV Self Test hookup
 
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Old Feb 16, 2016 | 07:27 AM
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it sounds like you have a dirty idle air control valve.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2016 | 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by tjc transport
it sounds like you have a dirty idle air control valve.
How hard is that to get at and check on my own?
 
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Old Feb 16, 2016 | 08:08 AM
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Not very difficult, lots of youtube videos. But I would invest $30 in an OBD1 code reader like the innova 3145, or learn how to pull codes using the paperclip method, before I start disassembling anything or buying new parts.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2016 | 08:10 AM
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I started last night and got some progress, I'm gonna work on the paper clip method more today and see what I can or cannot learn haha
 
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Old Feb 16, 2016 | 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by TheQuackKid
How hard is that to get at and check on my own?
depends on the engine. what i do is remove it and clean it out with throttle body cleaner. spray it in and shake to loosen the carbon buildup, then pour it out. i do this until the liquid comes out clean.
depending on how many miles on the engine, i also remove the throttle body and clean it with the spray and a toothbrush.

i usually clean the throttle body every 50k miles or so.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2016 | 09:43 AM
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Quick Update: So of course the truck works fine for now, couldn't get the CEL to come on when running. I had the paper clip jumping ports number 2 and the self test input port to start the test. I tried running a key-on, engine-off test for the electronics, the light would flash briefly when the key was turned on, but never came back on? I waited like a minute but nothing happens, do I wait longer? Thanks for all the help guys, and once I figure out the EEC-IV self test stuff, I am gonna look into cleaning those parts.
 
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Old Feb 16, 2016 | 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by tjc transport
depends on the engine. what i do is remove it and clean it out with throttle body cleaner. spray it in and shake to loosen the carbon buildup, then pour it out. i do this until the liquid comes out clean.
depending on how many miles on the engine, i also remove the throttle body and clean it with the spray and a toothbrush.

i usually clean the throttle body every 50k miles or so.
I have a 5.8L with a little under 140k miles
 
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Old Feb 16, 2016 | 10:25 AM
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IAC is on the side of the throttle body. held on by two bolts. you want to remove the two bolts going into the throttle body, not the two screws that hold the solenoid to the valve.
 
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Old Feb 17, 2016 | 04:55 PM
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So got er figured out guys, I got codes 23, 44, and 73. 23 and 73 both indicate I need to essentially replace my throttle position sensor. No idea on how hard or easy that is ha.
Also 44 which is an inoperative air system I already knew cause only my defroster vents work ha...
 
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Old Feb 17, 2016 | 05:26 PM
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Originally Posted by TheQuackKid
Also 44 which is an inoperative air system I already knew cause only my defroster vents work ha...
Wrong air system reference.....

Code 44: Thermactor Air Injection system inoperative

Air Injection into the exhaust, not the cabin.
 
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Old Feb 17, 2016 | 05:30 PM
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Originally Posted by rla2005
Wrong air system reference.....

Code 44: Thermactor Air Injection system inoperative

Air Injection into the exhaust, not the cabin.
Oh, thank you for the correction! Is that something major to be fixed as well?
 
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