I have a 97 with a 4.6 every once in a while ill have a problem with the idle.when it starts it will not idle at all have to kepp idle up with pedal this will go on for 3-4 days then will disappear just as quick as it started...anyone have any clues and is this something that i can fix or is it a dealer problem.....


Thanks

 

I assume that you do not have a check engine light on. But any one of a number of sensors could be causing this. Probably, and I repeat, probably, taking it to the dealer will not solve it. You may need to wait until the sensor goes completely out and triggers the check engine light.

My 2 cents worth.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 19-Nov-02 AT 11:35 PM (EST)]>I have a 97 with a 4.6 every once in a while ill have a
>problem with the idle.when it starts it will not idle at all
>have to kepp idle up with pedal this will go on for 3-4 days
>then will disappear just as quick as it started...anyone
>have any clues and is this something that i can fix or is it
>a dealer problem.....
>
>
> Thanks

This is a classic symptom of a defective Idle Air Control Solenoid. Hidden beneath the plastic "4.6" shroud on top of your engine is a device that regulates the amount of air the engine receives at idle. It looks like a silver tube about 2" long and about 1.5" in diameter. It has a two-wire harness (one red wire, and either one white wire or one yellow wire)connected to it. The solenoid moves a spring-loaded valve that can jam in the closed position due to carbon deposits. It can be cleaned, but that is a temporary fix. A new solenoid is about +/- $70 and can be installed easily on a 4.6 by anyone that can unplug the abovementioned wires and remove two 8mm bolts.

This sensor is often described on this message board as the "IAC". Do a search on IAC for more info.

P.S. This problem will not usually trigger the check engine light.

 

IAC, thats what I would put on it. Probably got 20 in the trash can so far.

 

>IAC, thats what I would put on it. Probably got 20 in the
>trash can so far.

From one vehicle?

 

actually the check engine light stays on i just assumed it was due for the 50,000 mile check up the manual said that it some kind of exhaust check i just hit the the 53,000 mark

 

PaulC, no not from 1 vehicle, from all the fords that have passed through my shop with this problem.

 

Hi'

I have a 97 35' RV with a Ford 460 and it does the same thing. Have had it to several different dealers and they couldn't do a thing because they COMPUTER didn't tell them anything. i've checked several other sites and they all mentioned the IAC valve. I replaced it and it still does it. Not as bad as before, but still does it.. I to am open for anything someone has to share.

Ed

 

 

Just to let anyone know, that after months of trying to get dealers to fix this problem, it was fixed by a transmission shop doing a tranny service for me. I sharred with them the problems I've been having and they checked the computer and noticed several errors or whatever they see, cleared them and the problem went away, that has been about 5 m onths now. I don't know why the ford dealers couldn't do it, but I'm happy it is working like it should. Otherwise I'm happy about this setup.