1993 XLT just not right..

[GRainMOnkey]

well, I've been having alot of problems with the old X here lately... the usual stuff it is a 93(Water pump etc) but now she's been having problems idleing I've searched and cleaned the MAF and just replaced the IAC with a brand new one and it is still having a bad idle just jumps around and eventually dies(usually 15-20 second run time) i reset the computer when i cleaned everything and replaced the IAC so im sure that isnt it.. but tonight the roads were a bit slick outand we ran to town for supper well i engaged the 4wd and everything just went dead i opened my door the light was dim and first think is ah WTF so pop the hood wires werent loose opened my door and the light was back to full brightness so tried her again and she was just plain dead. so waited and waited then maybe 5 minutes later tried it again and she fired right up... 4wd engaged and ran fine but when i got home and disengaged the 4wd( push button) the light next to the low range button kept flickering.. anyway i would really appreciate any help i've searched several times but cant really find something like this... thanks !

Ed

 

[1IronMike]

It really sounds like an electrical problem. Bad ground, loose connection, blistered battery wire, battery failing or alternator wacking out. Start checking all the easy stuff first, clean and tighten connections. Inspect battery cables and look for blister spots indicating corrosion inside the insulation.
Why does these things only happen when its cold out?
Good luck.

 

[GRainMOnkey]

guess i never would have thought this may be the battery but im not totally sure how old it is either.. battery and alternator are basically the same price so not sure which to go with... could it possibly be an old belt? stupid question but i bought a new one and forgot to put it on after i bought the water pump i just used the old one. and things always happen in the cold.. its a sign i need to move back to california iowa doesnt like me lol

 

[savagefan]

Clean all connections to and from the battery as in terminals and all grounds and solenoid connections. These are the freebies and as often as not are your problem. Happy new year.

 

[GRainMOnkey]

found what looks like basically rub marks on the positive wire... there is exposed wire and its a greenish color like corrosion on a battery... how would i replace this since its molded onto the battery connector? or do i have to buy basically everything new...

 

[Papa]

You are probably better off replacing the whole molded cable, once they start turning green inside they are pretty much a loosing proposition.
As far as the battery, if you have a voltmeter a good battery should be able to crank the engine for fifteen seconds. The terminal voltage should not drop below 9.5 VDC or the test is over and it is time for a new battery. Normal terminal voltage with engine running and a good battery is about 14.7 VDC.

 

[98twodoor]

you said it starts, and runs for a bit, but had trouble idleing? once you are done looking thru your electrical's, take off your air intake tube attatched to the Throttle Body, open it wide open manually and spray a good penetrating fluid on the back of the TB valve....clean it with a rag. Next, when you go to start your truck, its going to start hard, so you may need to start it at WOT. ive done this on a few things and it has worked....just an idea

Dom

 

[GRainMOnkey]

cool i'll try that.. i have to get a new cable still napa here did not have one.. as for the tb perhaps i'll leave that up to my mechanic im worried i'll break something. it still wont idle just dies and seems to almost struggle starting up again after it does. it ran fine when i got it and i havent done anything to it really except the few new things i put in her

 

[GRainMOnkey]

ok opened up and looked in the TB on the back in the corner there is a small amount of what looks like gas sitting there... could a sensor be bad? and making it think it is running short on gas when infact its giving too much?

 

[98twodoor]

is there grime on the back side of the TB valve? this will cause them to run rough/not at all at idle. Im not sure, i dont think that is gas....perhaps its water, can you get the corner of a rag into the fluid to give it a sniff?

Dom

 

[GRainMOnkey]

there is alot of a black soot in back and i can try getting to it but its all the way in back not sure what i could use exactly maybe i'll try taking a picture.

 

[GRainMOnkey]

sprayed the throttle down and cleaned it could not believe the junk that was on it was thick and black i want to say the thickness of a picture.. if that makes sense.. anyway sprayed the outside cleaned it good then i spraye dthe inside too and wiped it down still doesnt want to idle?

 

[GRainMOnkey]

cleaned the MAF again and still doesnt seem to be helping much... any ideas at all will help... she drives fine.. runs strong the second you park she just chugs and chugs... goes 1krpm to 500 then POOF and dies..