Stalling at startup
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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Stalling at startup
Okay guys, really need your help here. My '89 3.0L has been getting this problem over the last few days. When I start the engine, it idles low and seems to rise up and down, like it's struggling to idle, and the engine shakes, and it actually stalled when I revved the engine the other day to see if it would cure the problem. It's also starting to do this act when I'm sitting at a red light. The battery indicator bounces up and down with this rough idle.
I had a similar problem a couple of years ago, don't remember how it got fixed though...
What could the problem be? Time's of the essence, I have a big trip coming up this Thursday and I gotta figure out if it's a problem I can live with for a week or if I have to race my Aero over to a mechanic's shop right away.
Thanks!
I had a similar problem a couple of years ago, don't remember how it got fixed though...
What could the problem be? Time's of the essence, I have a big trip coming up this Thursday and I gotta figure out if it's a problem I can live with for a week or if I have to race my Aero over to a mechanic's shop right away.
Thanks!
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2005
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I had the same problem with my '87 Mustang 2.3L.
As far as I could tell, it was my TPS. (Throttle Position Sensor).
Do you have a 'Check Engine' light lit, after the self test finishes?
I was never able to prove it was that sensor that was bad, but all signs pointed to it. Since I was broke and couldn't afford to replace it right away, I opted for the real cheap fix - I simply unplugged it and manually set the idle so as to be just high enough to not stall with the car in drive and the A/C on.
I sold the 'Stang shortly thereafter, as it was too much of a money pit.
Good luck.
As far as I could tell, it was my TPS. (Throttle Position Sensor).
Do you have a 'Check Engine' light lit, after the self test finishes?
I was never able to prove it was that sensor that was bad, but all signs pointed to it. Since I was broke and couldn't afford to replace it right away, I opted for the real cheap fix - I simply unplugged it and manually set the idle so as to be just high enough to not stall with the car in drive and the A/C on.
I sold the 'Stang shortly thereafter, as it was too much of a money pit.
Good luck.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Yes, the controller can be cleaned, but it is more often than not, beyond cleaning, in which case replacement is the only option. TPS would ncause idle problems, but it woud definately cause problems if you tried to apply throttle. In fact, the above post must be referring to the Idle bypass, because if you unplugged the TPS the engine would either not run at all, or throttle responce would be very sluggish. (and I mean very sluggish).
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
To test if its your IAC what I do is disconnect the 2 wire connector from it.
Make sure the van is in park hold the gas pedal down a little to maintain idle and start it up while holding the pedal if the engine doesn't shudder or shake replace your IAC.
If it still shakes look into your TPS or O2 sensor.
Your TPS is to the left on the other side of the throttle plate where the linkage connects to it. It is secured by two screws.
Your O2 sensor is the little gold can screwed into the exhaust before the cat.
Make sure the van is in park hold the gas pedal down a little to maintain idle and start it up while holding the pedal if the engine doesn't shudder or shake replace your IAC.
If it still shakes look into your TPS or O2 sensor.
Your TPS is to the left on the other side of the throttle plate where the linkage connects to it. It is secured by two screws.
Your O2 sensor is the little gold can screwed into the exhaust before the cat.
Last edited by krankshaft; Jul 17, 2005 at 01:48 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 718
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
Its probably your IAC then because when you release the gas pedal and the throttle plate closes the engine would be starved for air and stall.
If your IAC is clogged it might be letting enough air to idle but not idle smoothly.
If your IAC is clogged it might be letting enough air to idle but not idle smoothly.
Last edited by krankshaft; Jul 17, 2005 at 01:55 PM.
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Junior User
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Just did that. At first, the Aero didn't want to start, I turned the key and just got a big CLICK. Messed with the battery wire, did what you told me with the gas pedal...
Engine sat at a steady idle with my foot on the pedal, died when I took my foot off, and was still doing the bouncy deal when I plugged the IAC back in.
So is IAC indeed the problem? Where's the best place I can find a replacement part in a hurry if it is?
Engine sat at a steady idle with my foot on the pedal, died when I took my foot off, and was still doing the bouncy deal when I plugged the IAC back in.
So is IAC indeed the problem? Where's the best place I can find a replacement part in a hurry if it is?
Thread Starter
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Junior User
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Awesome. I'll let you all know later tonight how everything went, I'm gonna zip on over to Autozone and get the part, I'm not risking anything.
If it works, you guys have once again saved a fellow Aerostar owner's life.
If it works, you guys have once again saved a fellow Aerostar owner's life.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2005
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Correction
I'm not sure what I was thinking when I posted my reply, but I meant to say IAC instead of TPS.
Sorry, lol
Quite correct that a disconnected TPS would result in severe problems - Though a disconnected IAC wouldn't change too much, and might smooth out things in some cases. (Though it'd probably play hell with emissions control..)
Sorry, lol
Quite correct that a disconnected TPS would result in severe problems - Though a disconnected IAC wouldn't change too much, and might smooth out things in some cases. (Though it'd probably play hell with emissions control..)
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 718
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From: North Jersey, New Jersey
I wanted to make sure I knew where the IAC was one day when I was under the hood checking the fluids so I pulled the wire and checked if the engine would start 
. Then to make sure I got the right one when it wouldn't start I held the pedal to make it idle and when I released it and it died I knew I found the IAC.
I'm sure there are other methods of troubleshooting like just slightly pressing the gas and seeing if the engine holds steady it but I'm a simple person and like to disconnect any parts I can during troubleshooting.
I wasn't sure why the TPS would come into play with a rough idle either M but I just posted where it was anyways
.
Glad we could be of assistance
.
. Then to make sure I got the right one when it wouldn't start I held the pedal to make it idle and when I released it and it died I knew I found the IAC.I'm sure there are other methods of troubleshooting like just slightly pressing the gas and seeing if the engine holds steady it but I'm a simple person and like to disconnect any parts I can during troubleshooting
.I wasn't sure why the TPS would come into play with a rough idle either M but I just posted where it was anyways
.Glad we could be of assistance
.
Last edited by krankshaft; Jul 18, 2005 at 10:48 AM.