Ive got a strange problem here...

Since I first bought my truck (about a year ago) it's had transmision issues. When going about 35mph-50mph, my tourque convertor would lock and unlock a couple times with my foot completly off the gas. No big deal...

However, a couple weeks ago I noticed it was doing it extremly fast and consistently. Then, when I stopped at a red light my idle dropped to 200-300rpm for a couple seconds then came back up.

It did it twice that day, then was fine for a couple weeks. (I hoped it was just bad gas or something)

Well today, the transmission did the same crap, and the idle was a little messed up. It didnt idle low like it was going to die, but it idled a bit low and erraticly.

These two issues seem to happen at the same time. They could be a coincidence I suppose. The first time it happened truck was still fairly cold. The 2nd time it was almost warmed up fully. (I rarely drive it enough to warm the engine and trans fully)

Im just not sure where to start with this one. Cna a transmission problem even cause the engine to idle low like this?


Anyway, the oil gets changed to winter weight next week. Im thinking about changing the plugs and wires to.

Any thoughs on what this could be?

Truck Info:

85' F150 302EFI
210kmiles

 

First off That old rule, Use it or lose it!!!! You need to go for a long drive every month or so, Get on the highway open her up to burn off the carbon on the combustion chamber, Get the motor and the trans up to temp and keep it there for awhile you want it to get hot enough to get rid of any water that is in the trans and motor( not to mention the differentials)
It sounds like you don't drive it too often running some gas line dryer will help prevent any problems from condensation in the gas tank. Cleaning the Idle air controller will cure the idle problems 99% of the time!!

 

'Preciate it. I cleaned the throttle body real well, seafoamed it, then took it out onto the highway and romped on it for a little while. Starts better now. Idle is better so far. Time will tell if that was the problem. Transmission is till funky, so I guess that was just a coincidence.

Also, where exactly is the IAC? My Chiltons doesnt really mention it....

 

The Iac is the diamond shaped mounting plate deal with solenoid looking thing with the wire connector, hanging off the side of the throttle body. Take it off hold the solenoid deal up and spray out the valve with carb cleaner, let it dry, put rtv on the mounting surface, put antisieze on the bolts, torque them down to about 60 inlbs plug it back in
Every now and then 20,000 miles or so clean it and it won't give you any trouble!!
If you do asearch there is a article somewhere about putting in a switch to lock up the convertor on demand, if you are cruising you can make it stay locked!!