Low Idle | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

  • Register Today It's free!

Low Idle

wagonmaster69

Well-Known Member
Joined
January 6, 2011
Messages
105
Reaction score
2
City, State
Hacienda Heights, CA
Year, Model & Trim Level
1999
I have a 1999 explorer 4.0 ohv.
Did the top end gasket and seal replacement (yea fun) and new plugs and wires.
But it has a low idle and left idling it will stall.
Now is it the throttle position switch or the idle air control valve?
And how do I find out on with one it is.
And thanks as always of the help.
 



Join the Elite Explorers for $20 each year.
Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!
.





If it's the IAC you should get a CEL. I'd try removing it and cleaning it. You should also clean your MAF with CRC MAF cleaner. You can increase the idle by turning the throttle plate stop screw. I believe an OHV should idle around 500 RPM (like the SOHC), but I prefer my idle around 600+ RPM.

You may find the following video helpful...
 






The idle should not have changed.

Double check the spark plug wire firing order on the driver side of engine. Very common mix up happens there.
 






Here’s my idle in park. In drive, it’s around 600.

A63B7BAF-1167-49B0-A27E-00BDF1B4D9D1.png
 






891 RPM is high, 600 RPM in drive is normal.
 






891 RPM is high, 600 RPM in drive is normal.
I have an auto zone maf that I installed back in 2011 and an iac that I bought on amazon. It came in a Motorcraft box but who knows. Eventually I’ll switch them out for oem parts.
 






Back
Top