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

Weird idle problem after going to the mechanic

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 27, 2026 | 02:06 PM
  #1  
Redleg68's Avatar
Redleg68
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 11
Likes: 3
From: Kentucky
Weird idle problem after going to the mechanic

ok, 93 F-150, 5.0 AOD

Drove from KY to FL and on the trip was running real rough before shutting off and when I started it back up again. Ran fine while moving, 15 mpg doing 75-80.
Took it to my Dads guy when I got to Fl and they smoke it and found the throttle itself leaking (not the gasket) and the EGR valve and EGR switch HOUSING gaskets leaking. All told, pretty good amount of vacuum leaks.
Replace TB with BBK, replaced EGR components, and IAC . TPS tested, re-smoked, no leaks. System electrical drained. Since then, truck runs fine with IAC unplugged. Even when running AC. Revs up when cold, idles down, idles fine, picks up idle when AC engages.
Plug in IAC, sounds like air suction picks up and it goes high, low, high low. Start up is VERY high, drops then goes to High, low again. rev it and it hangs high for a bit then drops, then starts the high low once again. Had an old IAC, replaced it, same thing. Double checked TPS, all in tolerance.
When I left FL, was told it would take 50 miles or so reset computer map. Made sense to me and they have a great reputation, so made the trip home.
When driving, runs fine except when stopping. Idles high, always wants to go because of it.
I've tested the TPS with volt meter, passes fine.

Any brain surgeons out there know what I to dot and T to cross for a solution?
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2026 | 02:19 PM
  #2  
My4Fordtrucks's Avatar
My4Fordtrucks
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 12,837
Likes: 2,437
Any KOEO fault codes?
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2026 | 02:24 PM
  #3  
yardbird's Avatar
yardbird
Logistics Pro
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,777
Likes: 863
From: Foothills of NC
My IAC has been unplugged off and on for over 30 years. It ran better and worked. Trying to tune these old systems in is sometimes more trouble than it's worth. I went the easy way after years of trying to get surge and high idle fixed.

No, to the purist, it's not right, but it works. I did every test and setting I could find. There was a great thread on here many years ago by a guy who specialized in these systems. I followed his directions to the tee. Nothing lasted more than a few days, if that.

I finally decided I would unplug the IAC, set the idle where I could live with it, then leave it alone.

The one thing I did do was put a push button on/off switch on the IAC so I could idle it up on a cold morning.

 

Last edited by yardbird; Feb 27, 2026 at 02:28 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2026 | 02:30 PM
  #4  
Redleg68's Avatar
Redleg68
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 11
Likes: 3
From: Kentucky
Hmmmm, I know it didn't when they finished it in FL, and I have no check engine light, but I did not hook up the reader.
Sounds like the next step I guess! lol
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2026 | 03:29 PM
  #5  
DentsideFan's Avatar
DentsideFan
Mountain Pass
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 111
Likes: 12
From: MN
Originally Posted by Redleg68
ok, 93 F-150, 5.0 AOD

Drove from KY to FL and on the trip was running real rough before shutting off and when I started it back up again. Ran fine while moving, 15 mpg doing 75-80.
Took it to my Dads guy when I got to Fl and they smoke it and found the throttle itself leaking (not the gasket) and the EGR valve and EGR switch HOUSING gaskets leaking. All told, pretty good amount of vacuum leaks.
Replace TB with BBK, replaced EGR components, and IAC . TPS tested, re-smoked, no leaks. System electrical drained. Since then, truck runs fine with IAC unplugged. Even when running AC. Revs up when cold, idles down, idles fine, picks up idle when AC engages.
Plug in IAC, sounds like air suction picks up and it goes high, low, high low. Start up is VERY high, drops then goes to High, low again. rev it and it hangs high for a bit then drops, then starts the high low once again. Had an old IAC, replaced it, same thing. Double checked TPS, all in tolerance.
When I left FL, was told it would take 50 miles or so reset computer map. Made sense to me and they have a great reputation, so made the trip home.
When driving, runs fine except when stopping. Idles high, always wants to go because of it.
I've tested the TPS with volt meter, passes fine.

Any brain surgeons out there know what I to dot and T to cross for a solution?
Check your fuel regulator is it getting correct vacuum and is it leaking? And do what the other fellers said they are some smart cookies lol. Wish you the best of luck!
 
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2026 | 09:24 AM
  #6  
HydroDog's Avatar
HydroDog
Tuned
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 338
Likes: 101
From: Salkum
How is the idle self adjusting for the AC and cold start with the IAC unplugged?

I’m thinking you still have a vacuum leak somewhere and the idle screw on the throttle body was adjusted to compensate for that leak and in the case of the AC cycling on and off, the engine is already running in a lean condition and just needs the extra fuel to increase the idle.
 
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2026 | 12:41 PM
  #7  
KULTULZ's Avatar
KULTULZ
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,132
Likes: 219
From: W (BY GOD) V


EFI - THROTTLE BODY/IAC - TSB 91-25-07 - IAC Bypass

https://www.garysgaragemahal.com/91-...ac-bypass.html
 
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2026 | 12:49 PM
  #8  
90project5.0's Avatar
90project5.0
Fleet Mechanic
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 388
I had one of those on my bbk. Even putting a straight blocking plate, mine wouldn’t idle less than 1100rpm. You could shine a light through the throttle bores and see it behind. I even tried light sanding to get it to close, which helped, but I could never get the bores to seal enough. They work good if your cam doesn’t provide enough idle vacuum with speed density.
 

Last edited by 90project5.0; Mar 1, 2026 at 12:50 PM.
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

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

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Mar 1, 2026 | 04:10 PM
  #9  
Redleg68's Avatar
Redleg68
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 11
Likes: 3
From: Kentucky
Ok folks...... update time for anyone reading this later.
I observed the butterflies not closing all the way. So looking into it further, 2 things- the throttle cable was not allowing the throttle to close all the way. Releasing the cable allowed a bit more movement to close. So I loosened the throttle cable mount and twisted it as far as I could and tightened it up, and bent the bracket slightly forward as well.
I also backed the idle screw all the way out and sanded the part of the throttle body where the throttle stop hits it. (the side the screw is in) It didn't take much, but ended up allowing it to close further. I figured even if I removed too much, I could just use the idle screw to fix it.
Reset the computer, reset the IAC and now I believe it is still a tad too high, there isn't the surging up and down as before. Also if she is revved up while in park, it seems to still take too long before she idles back down.
All in all, still don't think it's exact, but liveable! Maybe more driving will settle her down some more.

Thanks too all
 
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2026 | 04:54 PM
  #10  
Mr.Lars's Avatar
Mr.Lars
Cross-Country
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 99
Likes: 20
By chance you didn’t inadvertently fill-up a time or 2 with E-15? Or possibly E-85?
 
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2026 | 05:09 PM
  #11  
Redleg68's Avatar
Redleg68
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 11
Likes: 3
From: Kentucky
Mr Lars- No sir, I don't believe I did, but what would that do?
 
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2026 | 10:13 AM
  #12  
Redleg68's Avatar
Redleg68
Thread Starter
|
4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 11
Likes: 3
From: Kentucky
Update for those interested.
After realizing that the butterflies weren't closing enough, I decided to play with it a little to see what I could do. So after removing the throttle body, I closed the throttle, and keeping tension on it to keep it closed, I loosened the torx screws holding the butterfly and gently tapped on the smaller gap side. That shifted the butterfly and I retightened the screws. LIGHTLY! I imagine if you adjusted too much it would cause them to stick and be harder to open.
Anyway, reassembled, checked TPS again, went thru the idle relearn process and lo and behold that puppy is finally running right!

Disclaimer- I'm just a dude playing a dude playing a mechanic....... try at your own risk!
 
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2026 | 10:27 AM
  #13  
1Butcher's Avatar
1Butcher
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,825
Likes: 1,030
The throttle should be close as much as possible without the blades touching the bores. If that happens, the bores wear and the blades catch causing the throttle pedal to be hard to press.

Good job fixing your problem.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Kenneth Kyler
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
14
Mar 21, 2016 12:05 AM
theoldfseries523
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Nov 30, 2014 08:21 PM
cathcart72
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
3
May 17, 2006 06:14 PM
gearhead952
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jan 16, 2006 06:52 AM
treeguy
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Oct 6, 2003 07:51 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:44 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE