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        General >> Problems >> Idling bug.
        
(Message started by: Hazelnut on Sep 7^th, 2004, 12:38am)

Title: Idling bug.
Post by Hazelnut on Sep 7^th, 2004, 12:38am

Hi I'm new first of all I would like to say hello and thank you to all the helpful advisers on this site, I bought a Ford Scorpio 2.0 efi Auto-box DOHC 1994 hatchback fully loaded, recently and it developed a problem with idling and would die on occasions during long or short trips. When cold it would cut out until it warmed up and when warm would hunt about up and down often causing the Auto gear box to play up and thump into gear instead of a smooth change. Obviously having owned an Automatic before checked for oil taking it through all positions and checking the fluid while running found all was in order my brother being a trained mechanic confirmed the box was OK. While searching the web for help and advice came across this wonderful web site of yours having read the problems related to idle problems I had a stab at checking for vacuum leaks and cleaned the idle control valve. While removing the idle control valve for cleaning I noticed a pipe running down from the vacuum ducting (Underneath) running along the front from the air cleaner which is on the right, where the pipe should be held by a jubilee clip this clip was loose I can only assume was left loose as I tightened it with a screwdriver work was done on a ceased air compressor.
Air-con side not working relays missing. I continued to clean the idle control valve using carb cleaner and WD40 and run carb cleaner through it again replaced it and low and behold no more hunting, the idle was much better but when cold will sometimes stall and not go into drive when selected it also sometimes when warm idles a tiny bit high. It is however a 98% improvement on it original condition and all thanks to information from this site. Does anyone think replacing the idle control valve with a brand new one might help or would I be better taking the idle control valve off again and soaking it in petrol overnight first? Also has the heavy thumping into gear affected the brake bands? Also I have replaced the air filter which also helped.
Before I go I’m looking for a driver’s side electric door mirror (Dark burgundy red if possible) as mine has now got a crack in its housing thanks to a passing vehicle while parked up. Any info as to the route taken from the engine bay to the back window for the washer jet would help me as no water flow fronts OK, the cover under the bonnet that hides the front water jet pipes etc + studs could be replaced as hanging loose. Does anyone know how much I should be expected to pay for a new idle control valve?
Sorry this was long and thanks to all members already who posted info helping others who ended up already helping me. You are all truly a decent and informative helpful team of advisers. I live by Wimbledon Common, London any breaker I could visit.
Many thanks

Title: Re: Idling bug.
Post by Hazelnut on Sep 8^th, 2004, 12:42am

Hi all
Decided to visit my brother today who has not been to well lately to ask for advise, he took a look under the bonnet no expensive computer equipment used just a bit of cardboard from the box from the air filter I bought and has diagnosed a faulty throttle control valve you know I have every faith in him as he has cured many symptoms on my old Rover and will let you know if it cures my other symptoms, he seems to be of the opinion that because of wear and tear to this valve i.e.....use and the obvious failure of the idle control valve has broken the throttle control valve to much wear is causing it to stick and malfunction. If this works ill post an update.
My brother is a very intelligent when it comes to problem solving and usually (99.9%) hits the nail on the head just a sham he is been ill lately.

Title: Re: Idling bug.
Post by Hazelnut on Sep 8^th, 2004, 12:52am

Ammentment...apparently the trotlttle control valve is like the volume control on an old wireless or Hi-Fi system...they were never intented for continious changes.The Idle position will eventually cause a dead spot in the potentiometer track much like a crackling sound you will get on older electronic equipment that the controls are always kept in the same position.It will cause the engine management system to think the the trottle position is under continual change and result in increasing and decreasing revs went stationary and there is no foot on the accelerator....Sorry for any confusion I may have caused ealier.

Title: Re: Idling bug.
Post by Hazelnut on Sep 8^th, 2004, 6:58am

Hi
Sorry my last two post mention idle control valve, I should have said idle control sensor this is what happens when you post something after the pubs close.
Sorry for any confusion again.

Title: Re: Idling bug.
Post by Hazelnut on Sep 9^th, 2004, 11:45am

Hi All
Went to Ford dealer purchased a new throttle position sensor £38 and now my car doe's not cut out anymore the engine management can now tell the throttles position and make the necessary adjustments before it could not tell the position of the throttle due to dead spots and thus the engine management was either raising the throttle to high or to low but not always finding the correct position due to a bad contact within the sensor and being a sealed unit any attempt to break open the unit and bodge it would only have failed again.
I might eventully replace the idle control valve as well.
I beleive all though the clean stopped it hunting between 1200 & 2000 revs and sometimes getting stuck and flooding the engine I think it will eventully fail again I believe they only have a life of about 70,000 miles as mine has done 85,000 miles the clean has only prolonged its use and for everyone's information a new idle contol valve cost around £65 from ford. September 9th 2004.

Title: Re: Idling bug.
Post by sterio on Sep 9^th, 2004, 4:15pm

Where is the throttle controll valve located?
Is it cheap?

I have a problem with my cold idle, it jumps up and down and i have done everything without good result. Maybe it that valve?
Can anyone tell me more about this valve.

My idle goes up and down, the engine somtimes stops. But it is always related to movement of the car. When it is still it mostly idles smooth. But when a start moving the car and the needle is starting to show speed the jumping idle starts. So stange?