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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

idle air control valve?

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Old Jan 8, 2001 | 05:39 PM
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idle air control valve?

Hi all, I have a problem with my truck which I hope someone can help me with.



My truck is a '91 f150 5.0 EFI 5 speed. The problem is that it revs wildly up and down, sometimes stalling and backfiring. It seems to 'idle' (if that's what you want to call it) at about 2000 RPM's. The only way that I can still drive my truck is to unplug the 'idle air control valve'.



The problem is that when I do that, the truck still runs very poorly and idles around 12-1300 RPM and occasionally stalls and backfires.



Please help me if you can. I am not a mechanic (I'm a Plumber) but if you could point me in the right direction I sure would appreciate it.



Thanks very much.
 
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Old Jan 8, 2001 | 07:40 PM
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idle air control valve?

had same problem. take idle air valve off and clean it. it is probably full of carbon. you can also check the resistance in the iac with an ohmeter. it should be around 15 i think.
 
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Old Jan 8, 2001 | 11:28 PM
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idle air control valve?

The idle speed control , even if it was defective , isnt going to cause the engine to backfire . You may have two seperate problems ?
 
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Old Jan 9, 2001 | 03:41 PM
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idle air control valve?


I am sorry I meant to say that is mis-fires! Not that is backfires.



I had the truck looked at once and they said that the idle air control valve was in fact full of carbon and that they had cleaned it and everything was just fine with my truck. It did not work though as it still runs like ***** and did so from the minute I picked it up from the shop. I have since replaced the entire unit and still no joy.



Sorry about the mistake and thanks for your continued help.
 
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Old Jan 10, 2001 | 07:36 PM
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idle air control valve?

If in fact the IAC was that carboned up, did they clean the rest of the throttle body while they were at it ? The Fords that I have dealt with have needed the throttle body cleaned (and I mean a good cleaning, which involves a brush !) at least twice a year PLUS every time the battery was disconnected or the battery went lower then 6-7 volts, to insure good idle quality and off idle acceleration. Get the throttle body cleaned up properly,then check the TPS for faults, then check ALL your vacuum lines & fittings...you should find the cure.
Phil
 
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Old Jan 10, 2001 | 09:58 PM
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idle air control valve?

You may have a broken gasket where the upper intake manifold bolts to the lower manifold. Hard to see the break without actually removing the upper manifold and looking at the gasket.
 
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Old Jan 10, 2001 | 10:43 PM
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idle air control valve?

Phillip is correct about the throttle body cleaning , if they are carboned up the best way , at least in my dealings with them, is to remove the throttle body to clean it . Its only 4 bolts & really doesnt add a lot of labor time & that way you can be sure all the carbon is off the throttle plates .
 
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Old Jan 11, 2001 | 08:08 PM
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idle air control valve?

 
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