QuestionGood morning Erik, my name is John and I have a car problem that is making me crazy.
I have a 2003 Ford Mustang GT, 4.6 Liter, Manual Transmission with 19000.00 Miles on the clock.
The only modifications to the car thus far are, the addition of a K&N air filter element and the substitution of Flomaster mufflers.
The car has developed idle problems,ONLY at "full operating temperature".
It will hold at the last RPM acheived and slowly with steps go back to the curb idle set point.
For instance, if I shift at 2000, with the clutch depressed and the throttle closed, the RPM will actually increase to 2100/2200 RPM, hold there for ten to twelve seconds, then fall in a step to 1200 RPM for about ten seconds or so, then to 1000 RPM for ten seconds or so and finally to 650/675.
I have had the car at two dealers in my area (Southern California).
Both with negative results.
The first dealer Pacific Ford, in Long Beach California told me that they could pull no codes, but "re-flashed" the compuer with the latest operating program.
My theory is that they waited until the car was "cold" and then test drove it and could find nothing wrong.
The RPM's rise and fall with throttle movements as one might expect, when cold.
The problem ONLY arises when warm.
It is almost as if the "Cold" and "Operating" parameters are reversed.
The second dealer, Worthington Ford, also in Long Beach California, sent their "best" tech guy for a test drive with me, and he agreed that the car was not idleing correctly, and told the service manager the same.
Well three days later, 1/2 a tank of premium, 32 additional miles and lots of grease on the floor of the car yielded no change.
They also said that they could pull no codes
I was told that they re-re flashed the computer.
They then told me that they had contacted Ford and were told that Ford said the car was operating within normal parameters and that this was a programed "fail-safe" to keep the car from stalling.
End of story...
They were of the hook.
I have written to "Ask Kate" with no reply, twice and finally called Ford.
The fellow I talked to was of no help and extremely rude.
He told me in no uncertain terms that "Whatever the last dealer told me was it" and that I had no re-course.
I am really asontished by my treatment, and have no idea what to do.
In reasearching my problem, I have come across a couple of tech articles, that mention an "idle bypass kit", that Ford alledgedly produces just for problems like this.
Is there any help that you might offer.
Thank you!
God Bless You!
Respectfully
John
My work "E"-Mail is jcarp@bop.gov
Home "E"-mail is photographybyjohn@msn.com
AnswerHello and thanks for the question...I'll try to help.
What I would suggest to you is that you request from Ford, their portable recorder unit. What this unit does is monitor and record (when the record button is depressed) ALL of the computer information. They'll hook it up in line with your computer system, and give you a remote button for activation. When the problem occurs, press the button. The recorder will record 30 seconds previous to the problem --through the problem and 30 seconds after the problem. This, then will be brought back to the shop and the technicians can look at what the computer system is doing.
Hope this helps,
Erik
