High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
- RyanDS650X
- Posts: 1868
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High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
Ive been dealing with an eratic idle and just changed out my IAC valve only to make my issue worse. When in gear sitting at a stop light i can feel the truck pull against my brakes with and a rise in RPM on and off. In reverse its even more noticeable. If anyone has any idea or experienced the same problem im all ears. Ive researched and searched my ass off between here and FSB and im at a loss... Im going to change out my TPS (throttle position sensor) maybe that is going bad and telling the truck to idle up?? Any help is appreciated.
'96 XLT 5.8l lil edelbrock, lil Autofab, LOTTA fun.
"I wouldnt even call adding beer as part of a prep...its like putting tires on the vehicle, you just do it."
-shockseals.com
"I wouldnt even call adding beer as part of a prep...its like putting tires on the vehicle, you just do it."
-shockseals.com
- Polarcub
- Posts: 1949
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
Ryan I had a similar issue when I lost my EGR...also check for vacuum leaks I have seen leaky lines also cause this issue. IRC there is a resistance check for the TPS to tell you if its bad but I may be way off there.
Jeremy
- AussieRod
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
I'd do a code scan before touching anything. That way you will know where to start and save headaches and money. 

- RyanDS650X
- Posts: 1868
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
Jeremy,thanks for the comment ive chcked all the vaccum lines and im good there. The tps issue im not aware of...
Rod,ive got my scan gauge hooked up all the time and the only code ive thrown was the IAC whcich ive sinced changed. Nothing else since then.
Rod,ive got my scan gauge hooked up all the time and the only code ive thrown was the IAC whcich ive sinced changed. Nothing else since then.
'96 XLT 5.8l lil edelbrock, lil Autofab, LOTTA fun.
"I wouldnt even call adding beer as part of a prep...its like putting tires on the vehicle, you just do it."
-shockseals.com
"I wouldnt even call adding beer as part of a prep...its like putting tires on the vehicle, you just do it."
-shockseals.com
- Polarcub
- Posts: 1949
- Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 8:53 pm
- Bronco Info: 95 Eddie Bauer and 95 XLT still in the shop........
- Location: Brighton, TN
Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
You may try disconnecting the battery to reset the computer...IRC 96 had a computer that "Learns" So it may be adjusting other than that I would check the EGR it may be sticking as I said I had the same thing happen just before it failed and then threw the code haha...
Jeremy
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
I would check the refrence voltage at the iac and make sure the tps is where its supposed to be. I've also heard the pcmcia could have some faults and cause this. Not too many things.will make the engine rev higher on its own.
- yikes
- Founder
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
I've got the same issue Ryan. Replaced the EGR, TPS, IAC, checked vaccuum, cleared codes, etc. Ended up removing the IAC and adjusting the idle normally. I've been running like that for the last 3 years or so with no noticeable ill effects. Certainly not the proper fix, but it will keep you driveable while you research the problem.
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
Poor connection at the grounding location could cause this too but which ground I'm unsure. I would remove and clean them if needed. The grounding on these vehicles.is fairly redundant so it would seem to me unlikely but still a possibility.
- RyanDS650X
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
Im going to check the voltage at the TPS and go from there. Did you just unplug the IAC? How do you manually set the idle?yikes wrote:I've got the same issue Ryan. Replaced the EGR, TPS, IAC, checked vaccuum, cleared codes, etc. Ended up removing the IAC and adjusting the idle normally. I've been running like that for the last 3 years or so with no noticeable ill effects. Certainly not the proper fix, but it will keep you driveable while you research the problem.
'96 XLT 5.8l lil edelbrock, lil Autofab, LOTTA fun.
"I wouldnt even call adding beer as part of a prep...its like putting tires on the vehicle, you just do it."
-shockseals.com
"I wouldnt even call adding beer as part of a prep...its like putting tires on the vehicle, you just do it."
-shockseals.com
- RyanDS650X
- Posts: 1868
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
Ok so the tps voltage checks out fine. I decided to disconnect the iac and go for a drive, ides smooth no surging or anything weird. Never threw a code with it disconnected either... maybe i just got a shitty iac from the parts store?? Im going to run it as is for awhile and see what happens. Thanks for the help fellas.
'96 XLT 5.8l lil edelbrock, lil Autofab, LOTTA fun.
"I wouldnt even call adding beer as part of a prep...its like putting tires on the vehicle, you just do it."
-shockseals.com
"I wouldnt even call adding beer as part of a prep...its like putting tires on the vehicle, you just do it."
-shockseals.com
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
My IAC took a shit in baja so I manually adjusted the throttle screw. No code after that.RyanDS650X wrote:Ok so the tps voltage checks out fine. I decided to disconnect the iac and go for a drive, ides smooth no surging or anything weird. Never threw a code with it disconnected either... maybe i just got a shitty iac from the parts store?? Im going to run it as is for awhile and see what happens. Thanks for the help fellas.
Replaced IAC in states and backed throttle screw all the way out and good as new. Pull it off and make sure the thing moves freely. My original one was seized and no amount of carb cleaner or muscling was moving it...probably had to do with lots of silt and only a couple filter changes while prerunning.
Kris Hernandez
shockseals.com
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
I've gotten bad IAC's from the parts store before. If the ground bad on the IAC circut it could cause the refrence voltage to jump around and cause your symptom. I would probe the wires and check the refrence voltage as well as the voltage drop across the sensor. Likely you gave a faulty IAC
- RyanDS650X
- Posts: 1868
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
Well im at a loss at this point and could use some help.
Ive replace the IAC (again), TPS, all new gaskets on upper and lower intakes as well as throttle body, there are NO vacuum leaks.
Idle will randomly go up too 1400rpm and stay there. No more surging but with the brakes on and truck stopped i can feel it pulling against the brakes. Ive noticed that the speedo needle jumps whenever the idle acts up also.
I disconnected the VSS and the idle goes to normal but i cant drive like that cuz the trans goes into limp mode.
I pull the grey plug out of the timing modual and the idle goes to normal also. With the grey plug back in it shooting the timing with a gun its at 10* but then jumps to 20* when it idles up. Seems like it thinks it under load when its not...
help?
Ive replace the IAC (again), TPS, all new gaskets on upper and lower intakes as well as throttle body, there are NO vacuum leaks.
Idle will randomly go up too 1400rpm and stay there. No more surging but with the brakes on and truck stopped i can feel it pulling against the brakes. Ive noticed that the speedo needle jumps whenever the idle acts up also.
I disconnected the VSS and the idle goes to normal but i cant drive like that cuz the trans goes into limp mode.
I pull the grey plug out of the timing modual and the idle goes to normal also. With the grey plug back in it shooting the timing with a gun its at 10* but then jumps to 20* when it idles up. Seems like it thinks it under load when its not...
help?
- RyanDS650X
- Posts: 1868
- Joined: Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:13 am
- Bronco Info: Autofab '96 XLT 5.8
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
How do i manually adjust the throttle screw?
- hobbyturnedobsession
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
Sounds like a faulty tps. Do not adjust the throttle screw if it was never tampered with.
- RyanDS650X
- Posts: 1868
- Joined: Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:13 am
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
Tps is brand new and the voltage sweep is within range, so was the one i replaced it with... .8v at idle to 3.5v all the way open
- hobbyturnedobsession
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
How long did you run it for?
- tcm glx
- Peanut Butter
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
Did you replace the vss. Funny that it idles back down when you disconnect it.
- RyanDS650X
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
No i havnt. Im going to call about it tomorrow.
- RyanDS650X
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Re: High idle/surging when in foreward and reverse gears
I followed the reset protocol Randy. Idle for 15 minutes while the idle hunts then went for a drive. Came back to the shop put it in park and same high idle with bouncing speedo.