[0dd_j0b]

I am having difficulties with Ford and my car. I have an erratic idle that from time to time will stall, including when I throw in the clutch while driving. First thing Ford tried to blame was my K&N air filter. Knowing this was incorrect, I tossed in my original filter to prove a point and sure enough it was still doing it. I now have Ford telling me they can't find anything wrong since the diagnostic computer says everything is fine. ...I guess nobody knows how to fix cars anymore if the computer can't do the diagnostics.

Anyone had this idle problem? Sounds like an idle control valve or something related. Thoughts? I'm wondering how long I'll be driving the TownCar at this point. Not a bad loaner. I just don't want my car back till it's fixed.

Thanks

[ckp73]

Mine does the same friggin' thing. Only it does it while I'm slowing down for a light and have it in neutral. I have noticed that it will stop once the car warms up. But the wierd part is, that it just recently started doing it. So instead of racking my brain I just go out earlier and start the car for about 5 to 10 minutes before I leave.

[GT Express]

It's your idle control sensor, which from what I understand is in the TB. Ford has to change the TB. The same was happening to me especially when the AC was on. I have had the TB changed twice for the same thing already. Ford tried to blame it on my CAI the first time I took it in. But I talked to the service manager and they changed the TB (I told him that if it was not the TB I would pay for the labor, but don't do that, I said it 'cause I had been told by my uncle, a mechanic, that the TB was the culprit). The second time this happened I just told them to look up my history and told them I was experiencing the same symptoms. They swaped it with no questions asked. Good luck.

[ski]

If the idling problem happens right after installing the K&N and the stock intakes, then see if it can be resolved by driving the car for a while to allow the ECM to re-learn the engine's idle.
If that does not work, then it may the TB may be the cause, as suggested by others.

[0dd_j0b]

Went into Ford again today....said they couldn't get it to duplicate. I was there for 5 minutes and it began again. So obviously they have'nt looked at it since last week. It only appears to be doing it with the a/c on, as GT Express had happen. Unfortunately I didn't read this before I went there. But after 20 minutes of them telling me that a 500rpm difference was normal I had them go get another car from the new lot. It of course didn't do the same thing. So they still have my car and will call tomorrow.

I couldnt find anything doing a search for TSB and the idle control valve/sensor. I am assuming TBs are the same thing as TSBs? Does anyone know anymore detail?

Here is another question...is it possible that a bad Idle control valve (assuming the same thing as an idle control sensor) could cause a car to have difficulties starting? Last winter when it was really cold I had problems starting my car, and once again, Ford could never duplicate. I now have to worry about this as winter is approaching in the south. Would be nice if it's all the same problem.

Thanks,

Rob

[sincitystang]

TSB - Technical Service Bullitin
TB- Throttle Body

[0dd_j0b]

Thanks...makes a little more sense. Amazing how much difference one letter makes in an acronym.