Idle problem when hot

Tiny
ADRIAANZA
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 FORD ESCORT
  • 1.6L
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 142,915 MILES
Okay, so I know nothing about cars. I'm a software engineer.

Okay, so it's about 20C outside (68F). I'm used to the car needing my foot on the gas to idle until it warms up otherwise it shuts off. The new issue I have been having for a long time is that when the car is warmed up it still struggles to idle. It jumps from 500 - 1000 RPM when standing still. When I turn the steering wheel (power steering) it struggles even more.

Sometimes at red lights the car just shuts off if I don't help it idle even though the heat levels are somewhere in the middle of normal.

Here's a video of whats happening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud8l_NVHDCs&feature=youtu.be
Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 2:41 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like you probably have two issues going on here. The first is probably going to be your vehicle's Idle Air Control valve (IAC). This valve is controlled by your vehicle's Power-train Control Module (PCM) or "computer", and is responsible for letting the correct amount of air enter your engine around the closed throttle plate at idle. The second issue is the "searching" at idle, going from 500 to 1000 rpm's, which could, again, be your IAC, but is probably an intake leak. By an intake leak we mean, any unmetered air(air the PCM doesn't know about) entering your engine's combustion chamber from the Mass Air Flow sensor(MAF) to the combustion chamber. It could be the air intake duct, vacuum lines, EVAP lines, but is usually the intake manifold gasket. Here is a link for you to go on intake leaks:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Let's start with the IAC first. Clearing up this problem might fix everything. In the diagrams down below I have included a diagram with the location of the IAC and a diagnostic troubleshooting guide for your vehicle's IAC. Please go through these guides and get back to us with what you are able to find out. You will have to use a multi-meter to do these tests, so, here is a link if you are unfamiliar with how to use one:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 3:08 AM

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