Fluctuating idle

BIGEZZY1372

MEMBER
1995 FORD TAURUS

Engine Mechanical problem 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual 173000 miles

ok I just bought a 95 ford taurus sho 4 days ago and its my first car. At first everything was good and it ran good. But now there is this problem were the rpms bounce between 700 to like 1200 rpm and with a stick shift its not drivable because it wants to jolt the car. Sometimes it will be ok and fire up first try and I wont have a problem with it but if I shut the car off and try to start it back up again it takes about five minutes for it to start RIGHT, meaning that sometimes I can get it started before five minutes but it barely runs like it just doesnt run at the right speed. So I shut it off. Idk what it can be I was thinkin maybe a fuel pressure regualtor, a fuel pump, maybe a fuel filter, maybe a sensor on the crankshaft or sumthing. The guy I bought it from said he just did a tune up on it and im wondering if he just put some cheap spark plugs in it. But im just in high school and need a car thats reliable PLEASEEEEE HELPPPP

5 Replies

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Check and suspect @ 1st vacuum leaks

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Thursday, March 25th, 2010 AT 6:19 PM

LLOYD ROBBINS

MEMBER
1 POST

I have the same problem! Did you ever fix it and do you remember how? I'm suspecting it could be the IAC or a spark issue. This is on my own 1995 Taurus SHO with a manual

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Tuesday, December 19th, 2017 AT 8:10 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
47,185 POSTS

Yep you are on the money with the IAC motor which had problems in this car. Here is a guide and some diagrams (Below) on how to get the job done.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-idle-speed-control-motor-iac

We should check for vacuum leaks just to be safe

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Here is how the job is done on your car (below)

Please run this test and get back to us.

Cheers, Ken

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Thursday, December 21st, 2017 AT 10:58 AM

MEBFREE

MEMBER
1 POST
1995 FORD TAURUS
60,000 MILES

When I remove the intake boot right before throttle body the idle stabilizes in park until pedal is epressed and then o course car dies out anyway. I have cleaned throttlebody and replaced egr valve so far also tried placing new maf but same result so I don't know if it could be maf electrical connection or something else.

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Friday, December 22nd, 2017 AT 10:54 AM (Merged)

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,758 POSTS

You may have a bad IAC ( idle air control) but try eliminating any vacuum leaks and cleaning the throttle body first. Remove the intake snorkel, have someone hold the throttle wide open for you and scrub the back side of the throttle plate and surrounding bore with an old tooth brush and some carb cleaner. Be sure to spray some into the small holes next to the throttle plate. That should help stabilize the idle. If it still has a problem, replace the IAC.