High Load % continued-

FYI, My car now stalls at any idle lol. Nearly stalls stopping at a redlight. I'm gonna change the iac now, never had stalling problems this bad even when it DID throw an iac code lol. I'm not sure its the iac though myself, i noticed at idle the maf was lowww. .3 lbs a minute i think? I dont remember how the scanner rates it, i believe thats it though. Normally it'll run fine at .75 lbs a minute, and when i idled and it showed .75 it idled perfect at 625-650, but when it shows low, my idle is 400-500 :(. On the upside, maybe something is finally dieing that if affecting that damn load %. I do love lincolns, but i'm starting to hate this car lol. One thing after another.


(And i asked about the iac just because i never saw one like that, would be cool if it did work.)
 
Have you cleaned the MAF? I know it can be done... carefully.

I assume you checked the basics. secured all clamps after the MAF, checked the filter, checked for mouse nests in the air intake silencer (if present)

Still, I'm tempted to say you are on the right track with the IAC. I witnessed the failure of one on my buddy's '95 cougar, and the symptoms were very similar. (and the part equally difficult to replace)

also, a failing fuel pump can cause similar symptoms, but I think we may have touched on this before. check the pressure, if you can.
 
tixer said:
Have you cleaned the MAF? I know it can be done... carefully.

I assume you checked the basics. secured all clamps after the MAF, checked the filter, checked for mouse nests in the air intake silencer (if present)

Still, I'm tempted to say you are on the right track with the IAC. I witnessed the failure of one on my buddy's '95 cougar, and the symptoms were very similar. (and the part equally difficult to replace)

also, a failing fuel pump can cause similar symptoms, but I think we may have touched on this before. check the pressure, if you can.
Click to expand...

To start from the end and work back up, new 255 lph fuel pump less than a month ago. I actually do mean to check the pressure, because i know that doesnt mean i couldnt have a problem, but the fluxuating maf readings make me think maybe something got in there. We have been having horrible weather the past few days, i was more afraid about water getting in my exhaust or intake.

It happened out of nowhere, i have not had much time to do anything on my car this week because i'm either working or its pouring outside. I cleaned the maf just over a week ago, i tried unplugging it and plugging it back in as well. Even tried to unplug it, but it stalled just as often with it unplugged, so i just got pissed and plugged it back in. I actually do have a backup maf, but it is from a 93 and i'm not sure if they are interchangable, ive been meaning to trade it at the junkyard for a 96-98 maf. Today i should be getting my tps and throttle gasket, but i will order a iac and wait to do the work until i have everything together. I still need to get back to the junkyard and pick up a windshield wiper assembly, thank god my wipers only work on high. So basically it can be done while i already have the assembly out, i might attempt the tps and iac myself if both are attached to the tb and all i have to do is pull that out. :)

Everything is tight and to my knowledge, no vacuum leaks, but there is one area i have neglected to spray while i'm out of brake cleaner. The passenger firewall area, hoses i could have damaged when changing the a/c system. (Run along the dryer to firewall quick connect, had some problems getting that off with some cheap disconnect tools.)
 
Hmm. I decided to play around since i could use a garage today, and tried starting it with the iac unplugged and no difference. Also took off my tb and could NOT get the TPS off with 4 diff types of phillips head screw drivers. Noticed i have a intake bolt on the side of my iac as well, the type with the threaded top as well. The one iac bolt looks easy to get to, but the type that i have a feeling was replaced with the wrong bolt looks like it might be a bitch for me to get at. If its an 8mm, i might try to find a gearwrench 8mm since that might make it easier, i only have an inch or 2 to turn it if i can fit the wrench on it. Still idling extremely low, tried seafoaming today to no difference afterwards. As far as the tps goes, i think i'm gonna get a throttlebody from the junkyard if i cant get the tps off tomorrow. I still think my maf has to do with it, i havent tested the maximum voltage but it looks less at idle now. I'm just goin to the iac first because i know its original, and everyone does say its past due.
 
Sounds like your IAC valve took a dump.

Get an impact screw driver (a purpose built screw driver that you hit with a hammer and it makes the screw driver turn) to get those phillips screws out.

The IAC Valve bolt with the nipple on it sucks.....have fun. :)
 
I made a call on craigslist, i might just try to use a cheap mechanic for the iac only lol. Found someone who charges 25 an hour, which i can't turn down. I swear the iac literally started sticking closed on the day i received the parts (I ordered everything but the iac...) lol.
 
Had the iac and tps changed and only cost 50 dollars, under 2 hours including having to cut the old tps sensor's bolts off. Still a high load % but my idle problems are solved. Also seems to shift better, sometimes would shift from 3rd to 4th a little late before.
 
Congratulations. It sounds like it was an "easy fix" for you, anyway. :)

Have you tracked down a new/upgraded alt yet?
 
The TPS controls your shifting so it's good that you changed it. Was the mechanic bitching up a storm? Haha!
 
He was shocked at the location and space they leave to work back there, but once he took off the heater core hoses and moved the fuel lines slightly, the longer bolt actually ended up bein easier than the shorter one. Ended up pullin off the TB to get more room with the shorter one, and i changed the tps then. Now i really need to fix the oil leak, i still don't understand the high engine load % and high spark timing. Next on my list is the oil filter adapter, and most likely change the pressure sensor as well since its cheap and there. After that i can idle in my driveway again before its warmed up haha.
 
Did my plugs and wires today, found a vacuum leak. Will update later, it is a part i have changed before and had to track down the part number. Gonna be late to work but i'm hopeing it went from a small leak to a big leak.
 
Its messed up, it is the little T that goes from the throttle body, to pcv valve and brake booster. I had made a post on another mark forum to find the part number late last year, so the replacement from advanced (made by dorman) lasted for about 6 months lol. In its defense, my throttle body has been off a good 3 or 4 times since i've bought it. I picked up the T this morning, but i swear i still thought i heard a leak. I sprayed around and found nothing, and also changed my fuel pressure regulator. Did go from 32 psi to 35 with vacuum, and i have the battery pulled now (ground wire) to reset the computer. I'm tempted to see if it feels any different now, i'm hopeing so. It was a very minor crack in the T, until i pulled it off. Then it just completely ripped off.
 
That's the "T" that always brakes. Just go to the "HELP" section at your parts store, they'll have what you're looking for. The actual products are called "HELP". They make replacement door handles, exhaust bolts, and all the other common things that break.
 
Drives great now of course, the iac and tps made the load % drop to 50% at idle. Spark can still get up to 36/37, i really don't understand what can affect it. I've swapped every single part i think the calculated engine load % would look at lol. Still really need to do the oil filter adapter, and o2s. Hopefully this week, i have 2 people who could do them both for me, i'm going to end up taking a day of work this week.
 
Engine load is calculated using just the air flow sensor and engine speed for closed-loop operation, and the air flow sensor, engine speed and intake air temperature and barometric pressure for open-loop operation. The volume air flow divided by the engine speed determines the engine load factor. As volume air flow increases, injection duration increases.

The engine load is calculated by a multitude of sensors, but more than likely you have another vacuum leak somewhere. On my 97, the calculated load was also high, and I searched for a leak FOREVER. I finally sprayed down the engine with contact cleaner, (if theres a vacuum leak, and a flamable substance is sucked in, it will raise the idle for a brief moment...) and found that on my Gen II, the throttle body to intake gaskets where leaking. :D
 
Idles perfect now, but load % is in the 50s at idle still. I have sprayed with brake cleaner, but i will have more ppl try to help me find it now. I have a trip planned for sept 7th and will drive this car from Florida about 1700 miles north. Gonna do o2s and a tranny flush before i go, but i'm still stuck on this problem. Gonna reread the thread and see if i missed anything, i'd hate to have to spend 80-120 to bring to a shop and have them smoke-test the vacuum system but i might have to.
 
Btw, after i changed the iac my alternator didnt have a problem charging at idle. For some reason it was showing normal on the tachometer, 600, but when i saw the rpms on my meter it showed 450-500 before. Also gave it a new battery too. But my mechanic is also telling me he smells a fuel leak now. I did change the fuel pressure regulator, i took it off again to make sure i didn't mess anything up, and the O-rings looked fine. It just doesnt look like its sitting all the way down properly on where it bolts to with the allen wrenches. Theres 2 o rings on one part of the regulator, one on the other, and then another rubber piece sitting flat around both of them. I'm wondering if the third larger piece on the bottom is supposed to be taken off, but i'm nervous to mess with it, maybe i'll take it off and see if it looks better. I'm about to give up on this car working on it myself, and let someone professionally take care of the last little problems, its getting to be a pain lol.
 
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