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1995 Thunderbird won't idle


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Scrapmetalman
User

Feb 17, 2014, 5:42 PM

Post #1 of 7 (2473 views)
1995 Thunderbird won't idle Sign In

I have a 1995 Thunderbird LX with the 4.6l v8 with 185000 km on it (about 110000 miles...). A couple of years ago I started it then it stalled immediatly. The only way I can keep it from stalling is by keeping my foot on the gas pedal when engine is cold. Once warmed up, it won't die but idles way too low. I replaced the IAC valve but it didn't help. Then I turned the screw on the air inlet to keep it slightly open, to give it a bit of throttle... I know this screw shouldn't be turned but this was the fastest way to get it idling decently. Of course idle gets a little too high when engine is warm. I only use this car occasionnally in the summer time, but I would like to fix it before I get it back on the road in april. No hurry to get an answer since I'm not going to work on it before a month or so but good advices are always welcome! I'm suspecting the new IAC valve being faulty but I would like to know if there is something else I must look at before buying another one. Thanks!


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 17, 2014, 5:48 PM

Post #2 of 7 (2467 views)
Re: 1995 Thunderbird won't idle Sign In

All you did is create yourself another problem by turning that screw. It should never be touched.

You may have a bad IAC ( idle air control) but try eliminating any vacuum leaks and cleaning the throttle body first. Remove the intake snorkel, have someone hold the throttle wide open for you and scrub the back side of the throttle plate and surrounding bore with an old tooth brush and some carb cleaner. Be sure to spray some into the small holes next to the throttle plate. That should help stabilize the idle. If it still has a problem, replace the IAC.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Scrapmetalman
User

Feb 17, 2014, 5:58 PM

Post #3 of 7 (2464 views)
Re: 1995 Thunderbird won't idle Sign In

Thank you I will try this. But I'm curious about what kind of troubles I might get by touching that screw? I mean it runs fine except for idle bieng still a little low when cold and a bit too high when warm but I guessed I could just turn it back as it was when the problem is fixed... Would it damage something?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 17, 2014, 6:03 PM

Post #4 of 7 (2460 views)
Re: 1995 Thunderbird won't idle Sign In

That screw has to be is a specific position to give the IAC the range it needs to control the idle at both extremes. The IAC will be fighting it trying to attain an RPM that the screw is preventing it from attaining. It's a little tricky to get it adjusted correctly again.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Scrapmetalman
User

Feb 17, 2014, 6:11 PM

Post #5 of 7 (2457 views)
Re: 1995 Thunderbird won't idle Sign In

hmmm ok I see... Well at least I know what to expect when I'm going to readjust it. Thank you very much!


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Feb 17, 2014, 6:24 PM

Post #6 of 7 (2454 views)
Re: 1995 Thunderbird won't idle Sign In

I can't find any instructions on the curb idle adjustment but setting it to about 500 RPM with the IAC disconnected is about average.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Scrapmetalman
User

Feb 17, 2014, 6:39 PM

Post #7 of 7 (2452 views)
Re: 1995 Thunderbird won't idle Sign In

Ok that would be helpful. Thanks






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