Cold start-up problems

[Mest30]

Hey all,

When my car has been sitting for several hours (usually overnight) it idles at 1500rpms for a few minutes before dropping down to the normal idle range. If I drive the car before it begins to idle normally it jumps but after about a minute or so it runs perfectly. At first I thought it was because it was cold outside but the last few weeks we've had temps in the 50-60 degree range with a few days close or at 70 degrees. I bought the car last Sept but I cant for the life of me remember if it happened then nor can I pinpoint exactly when it started, but it has been doing it for several months now. Any ideas? Thanks

[offroadkarter]

Hey all,

When my car has been sitting for several hours (usually overnight) it idles at 1500rpms for a few minutes before dropping down to the normal idle range. If I drive the car before it begins to idle normally it jumps but after about a minute or so it runs perfectly. At first I thought it was because it was cold outside but the last few weeks we've had temps in the 50-60 degree range with a few days close or at 70 degrees. I bought the car last Sept but I cant for the life of me remember if it happened then nor can I pinpoint exactly when it started, but it has been doing it for several months now. Any ideas? Thanks


My car idles at 1200 before dropping to like 700, but it only lasts a few seconds.

Maybe its normal?

[CRUZTAKER]

There is a chance that your '03 may have never received the TSB software flash for cold start issues.

It was posted in early 2003 and done under warranty.

Of course if your car has been modded with tuning, this may be of no use to you.

The dealer should be able to perform this for you at no cost, however, I am not hip to Ford L/M TSB policy once the BASIC WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.

I have the part number for the update somewhere.

[Mest30]

What is a TSB? My car was built in 08/2002, BTW. And the previous owner never drove it in winter time which may explain why he didnt notice the problem as it takes longer to rev at normal RPMs when it's cold out.

[CRUZTAKER]

The TSB is "cold start problem".
I do not know the TSB number, but someone here knows how to find it.

The correction, done with software, was PN# 3U7A-12A650-AMA

[MarauderVOL]

Does anyone know if this would cause the car to shut off? Previous owner only put a little over 11k on it over 4 yrs and it sits alot since I bought it as well. Drove mine 5 miles to a Ford Dealer to have the oil changed and a coolant flush and it shut off on them when they drove it around after compleating the service. I drove it home after it cranked back up and it ran fine.

[RF Overlord]

MarauderVOL, depending on the exact circumstances your dealer encountered, your car may have a bad IAC (Idle Air Control) valve. This device is what sets and maintains idle speed. When they go bad, one of the symptoms can be that the car won't idle without your foot on the gas. It's a fairly common problem.

[RF Overlord]

What is a TSB?Technical Service Bulletin. These are issued to the dealer to provide info on problems that the factory is aware of and has developed a fix for.

[Mest30]

I'm about to order a retune from Dennis for a valve body kit and 180 degree t-stat. If I told him of this problem would he be able to correct it with the tune?

[Raudermaster]

I don't think so, it's Ford only software. Tuners only have access to basically stuff that effects the performance of the vehicle. If this is not right, someone correct me please.

[Mest30]

Well, it doesnt matter. Dennis already sent my tune. Oh well, as long as this isnt bad for the car I'll just leave it alone.

[Mest30]

This problem seems to be getting worse. So if I take it to a dealership, they can fix it, but will it affect my tune at all?

[Zack]

Take the IAC off and clean/replace it.

[Mest30]

I'll try that, but if it were the IAC, wouldnt it have the same symptoms all the time at idle and not just when the car is cold? Just a guess on my part, I have very little knowledge about cars, car parts or how they work.