1996 explorer surging at idle

[ben/sherry]

I have a 1996 explorer 4.0L automatic 4x4 , surges at idle when engine is worn and when it is in drive . when engine is cold , everything is normal . I have changed spark plugs and wires , smoked twice twice for leaks , no leaks found . idle air control sensor changed , all 3 o2 sensors changed . After o2 sensors changed , runs slightly better but still surges. Any help would be appreciated !! Also could a sensor in the transmission
cause this problem ? Thank you for your time !!

 

[Mbrooks420]

What plugs and wires did you use?

Is it ever hard to start when it’s warm?

 

[EB4X]

-Does it surge / pulsate when accelerating? ..in other words....accelerate in increments...??
-It could be the TPS - throttle position sensor ....recommend using Motorcraft / not chinese for this.....
-Do you have a code reader?

 

[Optimus Joe]

Had a similar issue. I pulled the AC Delco plugs and wires and replaced the fuel filter with all Motorcraft parts. After that, I had no more problems.
Not sure if it was the plugs or the fuel filter, but it did the job. I will say that the fuel filter was really dirty and a had a lot of junk in it.
Either way, changing out all of that seems to be what I needed.
I hope this helps.

 

[EB4X]

Do a fuel pressure test once it's warmed up/acting up..... could be your fuel pump....failing fuel pumps are more symptomatic when warmed up....especially if you are not getting any codes..
95 explorer idle and acceleration problems

 

[C420sailor]

Check rubber hoses around intake manifold. Mine did that with old collapsing hoses. They’d heat up, get soft, and the vacuum would make them collapse and the idle would hunt/surge. Replaced with new hose, surge gone.

 

[ben/sherry]

NO it doesn't surge or pulsate on accelerateing , I have had it scanned for any codes by two reliable repair shops ,no faults come up . thanks for your help !!

 

[ben/sherry]

Check rubber hoses around intake manifold. Mine did that with old collapsing hoses. They’d heat up, get soft, and the vacuum would make them collapse and the idle would hunt/surge. Replaced with new hose, surge gone.

 

[ben/sherry]

Thanks !! that sounds like that could be my problem . I am betting that with the smoke test , it would not see that . I will check that out first thing !!

 

[ben/sherry]

Do a fuel pressure test once it's warmed up/acting up..... could be your fuel pump....failing fuel pumps are more symptomatic when warmed up....especially if you are not getting any codes..
95 explorer idle and acceleration problems

 

[ben/sherry]

I will check that out when I check for the collasping vacuum hoses when it is hot and surging !! Thank You very much !!

 

[ben/sherry]

Had a similar issue. I pulled the AC Delco plugs and wires and replaced the fuel filter with all Motorcraft parts. After that, I had no more problems.
Not sure if it was the plugs or the fuel filter, but it did the job. I will say that the fuel filter was really dirty and a had a lot of junk in it.
Either way, changing out all of that seems to be what I needed.
I hope this helps.

 

[ben/sherry]

I haven't changed the fuel filter in awhile , i will do that !! Thanks !! everybody on this forum has been very helpful !! I really appreciate it !!

 

[ben/sherry]

Had a similar issue. I pulled the AC Delco plugs and wires and replaced the fuel filter with all Motorcraft parts. After that, I had no more problems.
Not sure if it was the plugs or the fuel filter, but it did the job. I will say that the fuel filter was really dirty and a had a lot of junk in it.
Either way, changing out all of that seems to be what I needed.
I hope this helps.

I will definately change the fuel filter . I did use Ford (Motorcraft) spark plugs when I changed them . Thanks for the help !!

 

[ben/sherry]

Thank You !!

 

[Bryan Weiss]

I have a 1996 explorer 4.0L automatic 4x4 , surges at idle when engine is worn and when it is in drive . when engine is cold , everything is normal . I have changed spark plugs and wires , smoked twice twice for leaks , no leaks found . idle air control sensor changed , all 3 o2 sensors changed . After o2 sensors changed , runs slightly better but still surges. Any help would be appreciated !! Also could a sensor in the transmission
cause this problem ? Thank you for your time !!

have you looked at the TPS (throttle position sensor)?

 

[ben/sherry]

Thank you very much for your suggestion !! the hose from the pcv valve was collasping when it got warm !!! I Can't thank you enough !! I have been dealing with this problem for some time and I wasn't getting anywhere !! Everybody on this Forum has been Awesome !!!

 

[C420sailor]

Nice! Figured that was it. Mine drove me nuts. I wonder how many people replace their IAC before that damn hose....

 

[Justinwht]

Dirty idle air control valve? Unbolted mine and cleaned out with brake pad cleaner.

 

[Sager]

I have a 1996 explorer 4.0L automatic 4x4 , surges at idle when engine is worn and when it is in drive . when engine is cold , everything is normal . I have changed spark plugs and wires , smoked twice twice for leaks , no leaks found . idle air control sensor changed , all 3 o2 sensors changed . After o2 sensors changed , runs slightly better but still surges. Any help would be appreciated !! Also could a sensor in the transmission
cause this problem ? Thank you for your time !!

My 98 4.0 SOHC had that issue, and after doing smoke tests, replacing a bunch of parts. I finally had the intake manifold gaskets replaced and that resolved it !