Why won't my '96 M8 idle? Help!

[Thomis]

Ok folks,

I bought my first M8 about a month ago from a shady dealer in Michigan for a song. The car has it quarks but I have been able to work them out until now. I had to disconnect the battery to silence the alarm (long story) and since then it takes a while before it returns to idle after I hit the gas. There is something unnerving about stop and go traffic when the car is trying to power brake. Here are the exact symptoms:

Cold or hot, it does not matter. tap the gas and tach goes to 2000-2500 and hangs there for 5-10 seconds like the throttle is stuck or something. Drive or park has no effect. I checked vacuume lines for leaks and did not see anything, the trottle cable is free from binding. and there are no codes.

besides a loose nut behind the wheel, does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks,

-Thom

 

[JC1994]

:W could be the TPS [throttle position sensor].

 

[JoeyLincolnMK8]

yeah it sure sounds like the tps! but with our cars you never know! good luck and welcome to LvC!

 

[pepperman]

:W to :V I agree with the TPS , it also might be the IAC ( Idle Air Control ) Valve it may need to be cleaned!!!!

 

[Calabrio]

You can disconnect the alarm, it's behind the glove compartment.

 

[98LSC32V]

Well technically you are not supposed to clean the IAC, it's so hard to get to on the 1st gen that if you get to it might as well replace it. I agree the problem is most likely the TPS or IAC but also make sure you don't have any vacuum leaks.

 

[Thomis]

Thanks for the feedback. I will check out the TPS. looks like it's hard to get to. Can it be checked with a volt ohm meter? I haven't found a service manual yet.

Thanks,

-Thom

 

[chicken]

sounds like the IAC or poss the computer is trying to relearn the idle stradegy disconnect the batt again, then reconnect it and let the car idle for a couple min. then put in drive (while holding the brake) and turn on all accesories a/c,high beams,radio....etc and hold for a min then turn off one acc. at a time till none are on and let idle again if still high the iac is stuck open