[komplex]

I am having a issue where I will crank up my car, it will fire up fine and as the rpms are dropping from the initial start it drops to probably around 400rpm and sounds like it had some radical cams. If I rev the engine for a few seconds it will idle back around 900 or whatever it is normally. It doesn't always seem to do it, I just had it happen and it was after I returned home from about a 30 mile drive and came back out about 15 minutes later because I forgot something and it did it. The car has a little over 77k miles on it so not sure. Just wondering what I should start checking or replacing.

[JASonic]

"radical cams"? ....could it be a bad spark plug? Check each one and see what they look like (if one is burnt, glazed, or whatever)

may also want to check the idle control valve (think thats what its called) on the throttle body. Its like 2 bolts and a gasket that hold it on. Carefully take it off and clean it with some carb cleaner.

Check the MAF and make sure thats clean too.

check for vacuuum leaks...listen close under the hood but it doesnt sound like a vaccuum leak..but you can eliminate that.

Take it to autozone where they will check the alternator and battery for free. If the alternator has intermitten issues, it may create a simptom like this. Make sure they test it to ensure its giving out the right AMPS (not just checking the voltage).

Make sure the plug wires are good and the connections are solid.


Cant think of any other "free" or things to check wit those simptoms.

[Cricket]

might want to also try to clean your IAC and EGR or replace them. If it's intermittent it may also be your tps, but you may also notice it while driving by having the rpms hang and not rise or drop when accelerating or decellerating. It's not throwing any codes is it?

[komplex]

Nope not throwing any codes. They can test it without having to take the alternator out right? How would I go about cleaning out the EGR? I remember blocking off the egr on my srt4 but later read it can cause issues.

[JASonic]

Can you get your hands on a Haynes Komplex? If you can, they are fantastic resources for troubleshooting and cleaning things. You can use it like a "workbook" and just go through it one step at a time. You'll learn a hell of alot along the way for future issues.

Yes, they test the alternator while its in the car. You actually sit in it and they have your idle it at certain RPMs to see how much juice its giving out. Its probably electrical if its not throwing a code. If it were a spark plug or related issue, I think you'd probably get a code.


Also, do a search here as well and skim through the threads for related problems.

[komplex]

I have a haynes for the SL95 mustangs. I looked at it a few weeks ago when the problem first showed up and couldn't find anything that matched. I will be replacing the fuel filter and everything today. I am going to buy a fuel pressure gauge and try to see if it might be my fuel pump. I am hoping its not since they are around $300 which is insane, I can probably find a high performance walbro or something for alot less I would think.

[jjjbluray@yahoo.com]

Did you ever figure out what the culprit was? My 96 is doing this, and every onve in a while the check engine light with flash... Hoping you got your fixed.
Thanks, James