Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting idle problems

Just an update on my post a while back.

I replaced the IAC valve on my car without bothering to check for other symptoms. It was a used one, but the effort to get the old one off without breaking it was pretty tough. At least it was only $5. Now I have a spare, I guess.

The problem still exists:

Idle is fine until put into gear. It drops from just a tad over 800 to right at 500 rpm's. When any electrical load (breaks, lights, power windows, etc.) is present, the idle (in Park) drops from 800 to 700. Same happens with power steering.

I don't have the heated front screen so the Idle speed increase valve isn't present, nor is there a place for one.

The power steering pressure switch has 3 terminals on it, unlike the one in my Haynes manual. Which terminals should I take a reading on and what should the readings be?

If I can't get anything done this week, I'll be ordering a Chilton's manual or Ford shop manual. It's getting to cold out for this.

any engine light? same problem with my girlfriend's car...possible cylinder misfire...check for carbon deposits on spark plugs...replace plugs and wires?

No engine light. New plugs and wires a month ago. Thinking of maybe a computer from the junker off a '97 model to see if it clears it up any.

TENSIONER PULLEY!!!!!!!!!! i swear i went through all the same crap never could fix it... check it out... When the car is in gear look under the hood (with some one on the brakes) and see if your serpintine belt is jumping around near the crankshaft pulley. sounds silly but its worth a try. i replaced just about everything dealing w/ tune up etc.. and this fixed it. hey if it works give me some stars for some reason no one likes me here.

Nah. Wasn't that. I change all pulleys and tensioners on the engine when I did a TB and WP change. When I went to undo the serp belt, I of course had to undo the tensioner. It made a loud crunch and let a few big (nickel- and quarter-sized) pieces fall. It let loose after that and wouldn't tighten, so I fixed that with a revised one. While I had the belts off, I turned the pulleys on both belts and felt that "gritty" feeling. Same for the TB tensioner (plus the huge crack in it). They got changed. Car runs just as crummy as before.

I'm thinking maybe the IAC valve is faulty (replaced it with a known "good" one to save $80). Maybe I'll get it done in a way the wife won't find out...