'97 XLT Will Not Start Without Pumping Gas!

[rpr]

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to the likely cause of this?

 

[Jason_25]

Sounds like the IAC valve isn't opening. When you try to start the truck, the IAC valve should open to allow air in your engine to ignite. When it doesn't open and the butterfly in the throttle body isn't open, there is almost no air coming in! That's why when you hit the gas it fires right up.

Others feel free to chime in right here but this seems like a classic case of one of the many types of IAC failures.

 

[rpr]

OK, thanks. Two questions:

Is this expensive to fix?

Can I just keep pumping the gas to get it started without any adverse affects, or will I eventually find myself stranded cursing my idiot self for not fixing it sooner?

 

[Jason_25]

Well eventually I think the problem will get so bad that you will need to hold the gas down just to keep it idling. So yes, you should replace it.

The best place to find it would be www.fordpartsnetwork.com

Wonderful people to deal with, good prices too.

 

[rpr]

Thanks!

 

[Alec]

definately replace the IAC if that's the problem (sounds like it is). A bit expensive, but very very easy to replace yourself.