Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

5.0 idle problems

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 5, 2009 | 11:46 AM
  #1  
gvsu141's Avatar
gvsu141
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
15 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 6
5.0 idle problems

i have a 1994 e150 van with the 5.0 in it. when at idle, it will constantly rev up and down on its own, frequently stalling because it revs so low. does this sound like the iac valve? also, where is it located on the 5.0?
 
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2009 | 12:07 PM
  #2  
Lazy K's Avatar
Lazy K
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,402
Likes: 10
Go to fordfuelinjection.com for good information on everything about the IAC valve and also look for any possible vacuum leaks.
 
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2009 | 12:09 PM
  #3  
Freightrain's Avatar
Freightrain
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Club FTE Silver Member

Could be, as if it's sticking, it could cause stalling.
It's usually mounted right at the throttle body. It's a metal can, about 1" dia, 3" long, with two pin plug in the end. Takes two small bolts to remove from intake. You'll see it has two 1/2" diameter holes and a "valve" inside. Get some carb cleaner and clean out all the soot and using a very small screwdriver you can move the "valve" portion against the spring. Make sure it's free and clean.

Reinstall and see if idle smooths out.
 
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2009 | 12:12 PM
  #4  
tseekins's Avatar
tseekins
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Veteran: Coast Guard
Community Builder
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,035
Likes: 1,523
From: Maine, Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
I replaced the IAC on my truck a few ago and it stopped the problem. It's located next to the throttle body.

Tim
 
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2009 | 02:32 PM
  #5  
gvsu141's Avatar
gvsu141
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
15 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 6
how far is the valve supposed to move? i cleaned it and it moves a little, but i dont know how far it is supposed to move.
 
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2009 | 02:54 PM
  #6  
Freightrain's Avatar
Freightrain
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Club FTE Silver Member

Just enough to open/close. That's all it's suppose to do. It just needs to be "free" so it doesn't hang up. I forget which way it's sprung? Closed? Make sure it moves easily and closes fully.
 
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2009 | 05:26 PM
  #7  
gvsu141's Avatar
gvsu141
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
15 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 6
thanks, it was stuck in the closed position and won't free up good enough even with a cleaning. i used the one from my bronco to test it and it ran perfectly. guess ill be getting a new one tomorrow.
 
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2009 | 07:44 AM
  #8  
Freightrain's Avatar
Freightrain
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Club FTE Silver Member

Glad to hear you got it figured out. Those little things are the DEVIL when it comes to idling. Your O2 sensor was playing heck trying to keep up with it and that's the reason for the surging. The IAC handles it quicker with just a shot of air to lean it out and keep it steady.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:22 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE