Ford Repair: High running idle on 94 Tempo 2.3 auto, maf sensor, maf sensors

Question
Dave!

Need your help my freind.
Son has a 94 Tempo with 2.3 ltr., auto trans, fuel injected. Car was running like a top, even with 100,000 plus miles.
Stop the vechile, placed it in park, engine ramps up to I would guess 2000+ rpms. This is at start up cold or after being driven. Auto feels like it's trying to go by itself! Will idle down the road at about 35+ without any gas pedal given.Makes for interesting braking! At various times, a honking sound,(like choking a goose) is emitted from the air filter area. No obstructions were found. When idle does drop, it acts like its seeking, and surges, then ramps back up. Throttle linkage is at the stop when ramping. Pedal cable and pedal at normal positions, and free.
Have read TPS sensor and as per the book, reads fine. Lickage is free, no bindings, all grommets intact. Car had some oil build up in the air filter box, due to blow by from the crankcase vent tube. this was cleaned out completly.
My question is.....Will a bad MAF sensor cause this motor to race like this? If not what gives? Have looked over vac. lines, and nothing jumps out at you, or hisses. ohhh, also took it for a ride and noted the shift seems to be missing its normal shift times and forces. More or less just wants to slip into gear instead of a nice crisp movement like before. Son stated that it gave no other problems or warnings prior to this. He did state about a week ago, it felt like it surged forward as he was driving, but hadn't noticed it since this problem now appeared. Now its a continous condition. Auto is parked!

Answer
Well it honestly sounds like an unmetered air (Vacuum) leak.  Air enters the engine past the MAF sensor and the computer compensates by adding more fuel.  The engine always running at a high idle would also throw off the transmissions shifting.  Bad MAF sensors don't usually cause a HIGH idle speed.  You can try disconnecting the MAF sensor and see how the engine runs, the engine has the TPS for redundant sensor info.  The best way to find a vacuum leak is to spray an Air Intake/Carburetor Cleaner around the intake system and all vacuum lines of a cold-running engine.  When the cleaner is ingested, the engine idle will drop and the engine will run rough.  I would also check the Speed Control Cable, I have seen a frayed cable cause a high idle before.  And check for a dirty/sludged Throttle Body causing the Throttle Plate to stick open. The oil in the air box is normal of an engine with high mileage.  The "Honking" sound is air box/filter resonating, it may be loose, but probably is normal considering the high idle.  For grins, check the PCV line and Valve.  Be sure the Valve rattles freely when shaken, if not, clean it out.  I would expect to find a worn/cracked vacuum line on a vehicle of this age/mileage.

I hope this helps,
Dave

P.S. If you test the EEC and find a code 122 or 63, that indicates a intermittent TPS problem.  This was a common problem on these vehicles.