Idle problem
 

I sold my sixer. And now I'm looking at gts.

I found one last night, it's a 2000 GT. But I do have a question.

It idles really rough; only at like 600-700 rpm. And it kinda shakes at some points and that is causing the check engine light to sporadically come on.

I'm going to have the guy take it to my local shop to look at it, but I was wondering if anyone here has any ideas what it might be. I was thinking some kind of sensor or something.

Sounds like a misfire. Usually a bad coil(s) or plug(s), maybe an IAC valve. But it can also mean a vacuum leak, bad injector, bad head gasket, bad valve seals, or bad piston rings. However, I'm 99% sure it's most likely the former.

I think I would pass up on it, dont want stuck with a bigger issue down the road from a 9yr old car

I'm with Bassman its got bad coils or plugs.

You folks have a lot more experience and knowledge than me, but could it just be a dirty MAF/IAC, air filter, or TB? I thought that these also made cars idle rough/low.

But randomly tossing a light on makes me think its a misfire as that's what it does when it senses a misfire is blink the check engine light.

probably needs new plugs and possibly a few new coils.

I agree. check all the little things first. Keep It Simple Stupid

Got it checked out by my mechanic. He said it's misfiring like i thought. I'm gonna buy it early next week and get it tuned up. He said just a normal
tune up with sparks oil change and whatnot will fix it. Can't wait to have a v8 haha

Yeah you should really like it.

I had an idle issue for a bit on my car, until I realized the filter FELL OFF.

Cool deal. When he does the tune up, ask him to check the coil boots. I just went thru this with my car, thought I needed to buy new coils, but replaced just the boots and the car runs MUCH better. Just a little heads up before the guy tries to sell you a coil replacement job. Them coils ain't cheap!

Would be helpful to know what codes the thing is throwin. Along with whats stated above, another definite possibility on a 2000 would be the O2 sensors. Those exact symptoms sound to me like faulty O2's upstream from the cats. Sounds like a normal daily driven 00' Stang to me. Needs basic maintenance.