Rough Idling - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

radrider · 07-05-2006, 09:15

hey guys, ive got a problem with my 1993 Ford Thunderbird LX.

when i have it in park, and i just started the engine, the idle is REALLY ROUGH. like, the whole car shakes kinda rough. sometimes, its so bad that the engine just dies. now, the check engine light hasnt come on (not that it matters). if i turn on the engine, and immediatly put it in neutral, reverse, or drive, it still does it, no matter what its in. it also only happens when its starting cold, and it hasnt been running for about 12 hours.

any help on what this may be would be greatly appreciated.

Marqman · 07-05-2006, 14:03

Clears up once warm? Sounds like some type of sensor issues. Suprised you have not seen a check engine light.

catmando · 07-05-2006, 15:41

try putting some lucas injector cleaner in the fuel tank. if its a bad shaking try 2 cans to about 10 gal gas, also might check your fuel filter as well.

radrider · 07-05-2006, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marqman

Clears up once warm? Sounds like some type of sensor issues. Suprised you have not seen a check engine light.

no, the only way to remedy this, is to rev it up to about 3k RPMs. once there, it just smooths out and idles fine.

i put fuel injector cleaner in it, and i also replaced the fuel pump about 5000 miles ago, so thats not the problem. plus, a fuel pump usually either works, or doesnt work, not in-between like this, lol.

the only things i can think of is that it may need new spark plugs, maybe a timing belt, and the throttle control wire may be corroded, but i havent checked it yet. other than those, i cant think of anything else that would cause it.

fold_em83 · 07-06-2006, 16:22

Plugs and wires are a definate check. Also, check out the fuel pressure regulator Could be a sensor issue or even a bad coil pack but the CEL should come on for any of those. I would suspect a mechanical issue and not an electrical one.

Johnny Mullet · 07-06-2006, 16:50

When the vehicle will not idle, try whacking the IAC sensor a few times and see if it idles then.

Seriously though, it sounds like this car has some issues. Go for the tune-up and basic stuff first to see if it gets better.

radrider · 07-06-2006, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mullet Man

Seriously though, it sounds like this car has some issues. Go for the tune-up and basic stuff first to see if it gets better.

lol, yeah, it does have some iddues, but not big ones really. considering its 13 years old, and has over 150k miles on it, its not bad at all. im gonna do teh regular old routine tune-up, and then if it hasnt stopped, ill check into something more serious. if its bad enough, ill just scrap the car, or sell it for parts. ive got my supra still, so its not like i need it.

Richard713 · 07-21-2006, 19:06

i have almost the same problem havent fixed it yet but im just waitin till i get some time. rough idle smooths out when its been rev'ed high and let idle im waitin to change the plugs and plug wires and ill see if that clears it up.

radrider · 07-30-2006, 18:48

i replaced the plugs, plugs wires, and distributor cap, and its fine now, so try those richard. i also gave it a nice oil change, early, but i did it for the hell of it, and i also drained and replaced the transmission fluid. runs like a charm now

tbirdracing · 08-25-2006, 17:03

have you changed your spark plugs and or spark plug wires cause my 97 tbird did it and i change the wires and plugs and put some lucas injector cleaner in it and it idles SMOOTH!