Problem Starting

[whitethunder46]

Well guys, this problem has been bothering me and has only gotten worse and worse with cold weather coming.
Here's the background: the day I bought my 2001 GT it had 37K miles on it. I installed a BBK CAI that same day. Before this I started it about 4-5 times, np. After this 2-3 times, np. The next morning, maybe like, 60 degree outside? it wouldnt start, well it would start and then stall out. (It is an auto) It would turn over and engine fire and go up to maybe like 11oo RPMS and then dive down to like 600 for a split second and stall. I tried again and again. Then i would start and press gas hold it at around 2000RPM for 10 secs, let go and then stall. My uncle came out and we turned my throttle body a little more open so it would now start, it would turn over and then idle at like 900-1000 RPM. This went on for months usually would start, but every now and then it wouldn't. I tinkered with the TB opening a lot.

about a month ago I got everything dyno tuned with SCT, along with all the other goodies i was hoping this would help. My tuner knew of the problem and when looking at the numebrs or w/e, i remember it saying -0.2... and he said it should be at 0, or close too. This was the number dealing with the TB i guess. Well it got a lil better, but still did it. Now that it's cold it does it all the time. Sometimes I'll try and hold the gas at like 800-900 when turning the key and it makes almost like a gargling, mmm, like trying to turn over and not stall basically. When it does fire up it will hang around 1100 RPM and not drop down and when it finally does it goes down to like 650 then stays aroudn 800. Now that its cold, when it does fire up, it'll drop down to like 500 and then push back up.

HELP ME! Is it spark plugs? Could it be a bad battery, i mean I'm getting it to turn over and the ignition to start np, i dont know what it is. Should I just take to my Ford dealer? I dont wanna spend and arm and a leg tho!

[Chopper]

This is a classic Intake Control Valve problem.You can try cleaning the IAC by starting the car and getting a stable idle,then pull the hose going to the IAC and spray carb cleaner into the opening.To keep the engine running you'll have to put the hose back with just enough of an opening to get the carb cleaner tube into the hose.The engine won't run unless you either do this or someone gets inside the car and keeps the engine running with the throttle.If this doesn't work you might have to remove the IAC and clean it on the bench which is probably what would be better anyway.Repost and let us know if this helps.

[whitethunder46]

Which is the hose going into the IAC? Any picture would be tremendous. I'm kinda knew at the whole car thing so I'm still learning a lot. Thanks.

BTW I did use Sea Foam about 3 weeks ago hoping that might help, not really, but it was cool!

[Badfish]

theres a pic somewhere on the board..i cant seem to find it...but its a metal thing thats attatched to the front of your plenum, all you have to do is unscrew it i beleive, and youll probably see alot of carbon build up in there, use carb cleaner on it, then spray it with WD-40

[whitethunder46]

Is it that circular black thing with a tiny plug on the top . Or is it that cylinder shape silver thingy with a black snap electrical cord going to it?

[Badfish]

this is the best pic i had to work with..here ya go

[whitethunder46]

Thanks. But do I just take that hose off and spray the cleaner directly into that opening??

Never mind I answered my own question by reading above. Duh

[Badfish]

imo the easiest way is just take it off, and go to a bench and clean it

[whitethunder46]

Well guys I took the whole thing off this morning and cleaned it with carb cleaner. Sprayed a little bit into the plenum while the ICA was off as well. Put it back on and sprayed a little bit more into the ICA. (While the car was running and stable idle.) The car is only idling at about 650, this seems very low, (mines an auto), sometimes when i let go of the brake, the car barely rolls. I went ahead and opened my throttle body just slighty. Now it's idling at 800-850. Hopefully cleaning and the adjustment should end my starting problems. I'm just wondering, but since I opened my TB a little bit, would that have an affect on the A/F ratio? I do have it dyno tuned with SCT, that is why I'm wondering. Running 93 octane as well.

[whitethunder46]

just giving an update. This morning was the first time in a week that the car started right up!! It was amazing. Hopefully I didnt jinx the car now. I'll try and give an update about a week from now. Thanks for all the patience with this still newb!

[Icefreezen]

Originally Posted by whitethunder46

just giving an update. This morning was the first time in a week that the car started right up!! It was amazing. Hopefully I didnt jinx the car now. I'll try and give an update about a week from now. Thanks for all the patience with this still newb!

I'd still get that checked out or at least clean some of the parts. Just as a precaution so it doesnt happen again. Sometimes a problem can get worse if left unchecked.