Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Ford makes official fix for TH/high idle!

My 99 CSVT has been plagued by periods of high idle (1000rpm) and throttle surging/hang (3000-5000 RPM for 20+ seconds). Dealer replaced IAC last fall and cured problem for 5 000 km, now the problem is back. Disconnecting the power and resetting the car usually fixes the problem for a week or so. Anyhow the dealer says they have a new kit from Ford to fix the problem. Maybe someone at Ford R&D has been lurking on Contour.org and copying the TH fix . I am very curious as to what may be in this "kit". Full day at the dealer tomorrow: 1) Throttle hang/surge 2) Replacement of defrost vent (hopefully not an indication of impnding dash warpage) 3) Sticking rear door handle, It sticks in the up position and door can't close. My dealer has put his kids through college with the warranty twork this SVT has gven him.

Do tell when you get this 'fix'. I've been cursed by the throttle rise in the past. Most everything throttle related has been replaced at some point. Don't currently have the problem, but I think it's return is inevitable.

And yes, I'd tried the TH fix previously. This as mentioned by others is more than TH. When this occurs, the car overrevs when the clutch is pushed in (rises to 3-4K RPMs), hangs there for 10-15 secs, then slowly falls. Typical symptom is a high idle at startup (1000-1500 RPM). Mostly brought on after longish highway stints (ie 30 mile commute), where idle sometimes settles as high as 2K-3K RPMs. A true nuissance to those of us who have had to endure this problem and Ford's various attempts at fixes...

Best of luck,

Jim Harris
98.5 E1

Let us know how the fix goes.. Ive been plagued with this problem for months and cannot get it fixed because of "modifications".. :p

I have found that letting off the throttle just for a second or so while still in the current gear, then releasing the clutch - changing gears - engaging the clutch works for my TH problem. Sure, it's not going to win you any races but at least you don't burn the clutch disk. I'm fairly sanguin about the possibility that this problem can be fixed without upsetting the already "delicate" balance Ford's setup is between performance and emissions control on the 2.5L, short of reprogramming the computer.

Karl

a properly-sized th fix will improve drivablility, with negligible performance and/or emissions hits, if any.

A few years ago, the service dept. noticed some moosing and applied the TSB when I took my car in for unrelated warranty work. My TH fix was installed at the time and subsequently removed... 'a non-factory restriction'.

Per the FAQ, some SVTs may notice a loss in mid-range power from the new IAC valve design.

This is my second SVT Contour...had a 98 first and now the 99. I have a somewhat different approach to the Throttle "hang" issue. If you disconnect the large flexible hose that feeds air into the throttle body, you'll notice carbon deposits collect around the brass intake "flap", (don't know the technical term...sorry) that prohibit the engine from breathing properly at when the throttle is returned to the idle position. Use a little carb cleaner and spray the intake til the carbon deposits dissolve. (burns up during combustion). This returns the intake idle setting and allows the engine to breathe normally at idle. This has always fixed the problem for me. I attribute the deposits a function of all the oil sprayed on aftermarket air filters like K&N, etc. eventually being pulled through the intake in very small quantities...also the brass flap is prone to oxidation...again, leaving deposits where it comes in contact with the intake housing. Just routine maintenance. Hope it helps... mdlinton@lucent.com

The dealer should be able to flash the PCM with a revised map... has helped some cases.

Only by butt dyno I believe!

-Andy

Yep, my point exactly. The dealers will remove it and those that have it sometimes have to keep changing the plug to one with a different hole diameter as the weather changes. If I get really tired of TH I might see if my dealer will reflash the PCM.

Karl