Low Idle
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From: Mobile Al
Low Idle
The Idle on my 97 F-150 lariat is dropping to 500 RPM when I am stopped. Can I adjust the idle myself? Hate to take it to the dealer for something like this. I do not have a manual for the truck. It is a 4.6L 
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: On the road in Ohio
Hi chris and welcome to FTE,
no you can't adjust it , but try this , first clean the maf sensor, it islocated just in side the air intake tube past the air filter, you'll see some wires plugging into the air tube, just spray some sensor safe cleaner on it, next have you replace the PCV or cleaned it? try those first then post back with the results.
no you can't adjust it , but try this , first clean the maf sensor, it islocated just in side the air intake tube past the air filter, you'll see some wires plugging into the air tube, just spray some sensor safe cleaner on it, next have you replace the PCV or cleaned it? try those first then post back with the results.
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From: Mobile Al
Low Idle
2504 thanks for the reply. No I have not replaced the PCV. I bought the truck used with 69,000 miles on it, brought it from a Ford dealer. Would they have replaced the PCV before it was sold to me? Have had the truck for 18 mos now has 80,000 miles on it. Has run great since I have had it. Will try spraying out the Sensor you mentioned. Will post the results.
Chris
Chris
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From: Mobile Al
Low Idle Update
2504, I sprayed out the MAF sensor and checked my PCV valve. The valve was fine, it rattled when I shook it, sprayed it as well. The idle is better still seems a little low, about 600 at idle, but at least now it is not wanting to die on me. Does anyone know off hand what the idle should be?
Chris
Chris
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From: Missouri
Originally Posted by Chris Ruppart
2504, I sprayed out the MAF sensor and checked my PCV valve. The valve was fine, it rattled when I shook it, sprayed it as well. The idle is better still seems a little low, about 600 at idle, but at least now it is not wanting to die on me. Does anyone know off hand what the idle should be?
Chris
Chris
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From: Simpsonville, KY
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From: Mobile Al
Low Idle
Thanks for the info on the idle. Sounds like mine is okay at 600? What is the IAT sensor? I cleaned this one instead of the MAF. 
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Brett Foote
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: On the road in Ohio
Intake Air Temperture sensor..the Maf has a 4-5 wire plug, it goes into a square ish box on the out side of the air intake. if you look down inside the tube , you will see a aluminum block about wwhere the plug is on the out side.
if you look real close you'll see what looks like a very small wire loop ,spray there...., for the maf. the IAC just has two wires it plugs right into the air tube past the maf.....confused? if not i didnt try hard enough
......but i can if you want me to... 
let me...know...i do hope this helps
if you look real close you'll see what looks like a very small wire loop ,spray there...., for the maf. the IAC just has two wires it plugs right into the air tube past the maf.....confused? if not i didnt try hard enough
......but i can if you want me to... let me...know...i do hope this helps
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Intake Air Temperature sensor (IAT). It acts as a resistor which changes value according to the temp. of the air entering the engine. The Mass Air Flow sensor (MAF) measures the amount of air entering the engine. Rich
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From: Kansas City, MO
had this same problem with with my 1997 4.6L, except that mine would drop to 300-400rpm and die whenever i came to a stop in gear. had to replace the MAF and the IAC (silver cannister on top of the engine by the throttle body). now she purrs at 700-800rpm in neutral and just over 500rpm in gear.
since you cleaned the MAF, is it still trying to die at a low idle, or are you just questioning whether or not it should be idling that low?
-bjw
since you cleaned the MAF, is it still trying to die at a low idle, or are you just questioning whether or not it should be idling that low?
-bjw