New weirdness started today

[AZRoushStang]

So starting today, my pony has been doing some really weird things (or thing). So normally it idles around 750rpm. Which I believe is normal. Well this morning all of a sudden it is idling (when warm, not exactly sure about cold) between 450-550rpm. So that is weird enough, but not really a show stopper. However, the issue is, that it has a couple of times died when trying to start out from a stop. After 2.5 years I have subconsciously learned the amount I need to kick it up when letting the clutch out. Well now that doesn't seem to be enough. It is basically like I let the clutch out while in gear (but it is softer then just dumping the clutch normally would be). Any thoughts on what the heck might be going on here? I'm not exactly sure where to start looking for this funness...I could use some help to at the very least get me started.

[NoMoRoush]

Mileage? Might just be carbon build up on your throttle plate

[AZRoushStang]

27K....I know it isn't the fuel filter it is has less than 5K on it....

is carb cleaner okay for that....or do i need "Throttle Body" cleaner....is there a difference?

[F4iMerlin]

Do the 05's have an IAC valve? If so, that is a classic dirty IAC symptom. A dirty MAF will have similar symptoms. Both can be cleaned with brake cleaner.

[Frank3]

if cleaning everything doesn't get it back to norm, you might try reseting your PCM. Just disconnect your battery for a little while (maybe 10-30 minutes) and then reconnect it. This should clear the short-term memory. Maybe this will help and it shouldn't hurt anything either. If anyone knows otherwise, please speak up...

[AZRoushStang]

Took some TB cleaner to it tonight when I got home was cleaner than the above, but still fairly dirty.

I also reflashed my tune.

Checked TB for cracks it was crack free.

So between those two I hope it takes care of everything. Didn't clean the MAF (I hear there is a special MAF cleaner...being the part that it is I wonder if using the "special" cleaner might be a good choice)

So we'll see how she does tomorrow.

I'll let everyone know.

Frank, you could just trade me...that would clear the problem right up....actually, I just need to beat Ron up and take one of his...he has a spare and wouldn't miss it a bit

[Frank3]

Originally Posted by AZRoushStang

...Frank, you could just trade me...that would clear the problem right up....actually, I just need to beat Ron up and take one of his...he has a spare and wouldn't miss it a bit

I'd go for the Trak Pak. It's on its way to be an awesome race car...

[F4iMerlin]

Originally Posted by AZRoushStang

...... Didn't clean the MAF (I hear there is a special MAF cleaner...being the part that it is I wonder if using the "special" cleaner might be a good choice).......

If there is a "special" cleaner, it is just a marketing ploy. You can use brake cleaner. You have to ensure you do two things however: 1.Clean the elements in the MAF WITHOUT touching them(they are very fragile(i think that's Italian for expensive)), and 2. Do not leave a residue. Brake cleaner will accomplish both.

If the MAF is indeed dirty, you will be shocked how much of a difference a clean MAF makes.

[AZRoushStang]

Don't have any brake cleaner anymore...would TB cleaner work just as well?

[F4iMerlin]

Im not sure, but I dont think carb cleaner is a good idea. See if it has any petroleum ingredients, if it does, dont use it...or easier, spray some on the floor, or a piece of cardboard. See if it evaporates completely without an oily byproduct. If so, it is ok.

The point is, you dont want any residue left behind that can collect contaminates. That is why brake cleaner is so great, it is meant to do just that, clean without leaving anything behind.

[trouble]

i wood check the throttle positioning sensor

[NoMoRoush]

Might be time for some Seafoam as well

[AZRoushStang]

Seafoam...wtf is that?

[NoMoRoush]

http://fnsweet.com/forums/showthread...hlight=seafoam

[AZRoushStang]

How would I go about checking the TPS? Is it an inspection check, can I do it on my handheld, or do I need to take it to Ford?

[AZRoushStang]

Just thought I would update everyone...I took some TB cleaner to the TB and reloaded my tune...haven't had any problems since...So it looks like that took care of it for me...


On a side note, I then took the TB cleaner to my wife's Pathfinder....holy hell...now that was a dirty TB.

[Frank3]

Glad it worked out and hopefully it won't return...

[AZRoushStang]

If it does, I'm gonna try blaming it on the stock "headers"....try and convince the wife that the solution is to get a set of ARH LTs w/catted-H....yeah that's it...i'm sure she will buy it

[Frank3]

Originally Posted by AZRoushStang

If it does, I'm gonna try blaming it on the stock "headers"....try and convince the wife that the solution is to get a set of ARH LTs w/catted-H....yeah that's it...i'm sure she will buy it

Want me to talk to her? I can back you up...

[AZRoushStang]

I think it is fixed...for reals this time.

Started acting weird last night, but nothing too bad. Went into limp mode, but came out after a restart.

This morning started the car and decided to run up stairs and grab the tuner just in case to try to read the soft codes from limp mode. Well guess what by the time I came down it was already in limp mode and had thrown a CEL!!! YAY!!! Finally, hard codes to give the dealer.

So I managed to limp the car all the way to the dealership which is a mile from work, so about 25 miles at rush hour. I get there and the car loses ALL throttle in the dealership parking lot. And I mean ALL throttle...press the gas and it continues to idle. So the service advisor helps me push it into the service drive. I tell him the codes that I got from my Predator and leave around 7:45.

At a little before 11, I get a phone call. I think this is really really early. They either need to order parts, or they aren't going to warranty it because of the intake and tune. Nope, I was wrong. "Mr. Gau, your car is done and ready for you to pick up." Whoa, are you serious? Yup, he was.

As I had really started to suspect the cause of the problem, it turns out I was right. They replaced the throttle body and throttle position sensor. So hopefully, I am done with this idle non-sense. Now if I could only figure out the charging system thing too.

But I have to give it up to Five Star Ford in south Scottsdale. They didn't even hassle me about the mods and I had the car back in near record time w/o an appointment. Now that is what I call service. No car wash, but that is okay because I really don't trust some 18 year old kid without even a GED to wash the car anyway.

So now we are going good and still with 3 months and 7,000 miles left on the warranty. Hoping the charging system/dead battery thing gets figured out soon too.