G'day all,

I seem to be having issues with my auto 98 Hybrid EL Falcon. Upon attempting to start the car for the first time of the day, it will stall within a couple of seconds. The only way to overcome this is if I depress the throttle and hold slightly for several seconds, where I then holds it's idle.

The other issue is that the idle fluctuates, from say 450rpm up to 900rpm at times.

The car drives really well, although when slowing down for a set of lights, the car almost stalls upon coming to a complete stop. At this time, the revs drop to about 450rpm or so, then slowly creep back up to the normal 750rpm.

The car is an auto and has 138000kms.

The car consistently also idles pretty rough.

I've cleaned the Idle Speed Controller, although this doesn't appear to have had any effect.

Any help or suggestions?

check for vacuum leaks. [use carby cleaner and spray inlet gaskets and all vacuum hoses- listen for change in idle]
and /or try another idle speed controller.

I'm contemplating just buying a brand new Idle Speed Controller for $110.

What are the odds that the problem would be related to the ISC? I.e. Do all the symptoms point to the ISC?

Cheers.

Id be lookin for vac leaks first. After that, Id disconnect the ISC to eliminate that, if it keeps varying its idle with the wire disco'd id say its not the controller. I would then check all electrical plugs, give them all a good wriggle, or even seperate them and hit them with some CRC just to eliminate the chances of corrosion in the terminals. Have you pulled the fault codes out of the ECU yet?

same motor, gearbox, k's, problem, etc. Been there done it, still looking for cause.

Heres what i know thus far.

had a vac leak on fuel reg. Throttle body was fairly grubby. At one point I had a dead lead. ISC is/was NOT to blame (changed it) ECU didn't fix it. injectors got a clean, didnt help heaps. Run multimeter over lots of things, replaced lots of sensors. trans got a service & shifted smoother.

FOUND:
Blown manifold gasket.
Timing was WAY! out. needed a very good mechanic to fix it as it was reading on several computers hooked up to it as zero, however timing light on the balancer suggested otherwise.
dizzy arm has slight play in it.


I half think that it could be earthing for the TPS, havent checked it yet.

Just a quick update FYI guys...

ACTION:
Last week I had the injectors removed, ultrasonically cleaned with new o-rings + baskets etc, throttle body was removed and extensively cleaned as it was grubby also, and new fuel-filter.

RESULT:
This made a big difference in the general idle quality and performance of the car, where it didn't seem to hunt/stall as much, although did not fix the problem.

So the hunt for the problem continued...

ACTION:
Bit the bullet and bought a brand new ISC for $100 with a new gasket and sealer.

RESULT:
Perfect. Fixed the problem 100% with no idle, stalling or hunting issues whatsoever.

So in the end, it appeared as though the ISC was the main culprit.

Just thought I'd share this with you guys, in case you experience similar symptoms down the track!

Cheers.