Just like the subject says I have developed higher than normal idle this morning when I got into the parking lot at work.

I have a 2002 S-Crew 5.4 V8 with about 60K miles.

This morning was a cold one; single digit temps with below zero wind chill. The truck is in a garage and haven’t had any issues with cold whether and performance.

I have a 12 mile drive to work in the morning and usually days like this when I get moving about 60mph the revs are around 2000 rpm. As the engine warms it drops down to about 1500-1700. All temps and gauges looked good and did not display any information (i.e. no check engine light).

When I got about 2 blocks from work, waiting at a stop light, the engine rpm's spiked to about 2200 just setting there; I shifted to neutral to see if they would come back down but didn’t. As I started to move the engine seemed to be underpowered. Letting off the gas to turn into the parking lot I could still hear and see by the rpm display that they were hovering just over 2000 rpm's. I got parked and shifting from drive to park was REALLY rough. I tried to give the engine a couple of revs to see if it would clear anything before I turned it off however that didn’t seem to help.

Any ideas what could be going on? Is there something that controls the idle of the truck? Any risk of damaging the engine if I still need to drive the truck for a few days before I can get it into the shop (if needed).

Thanks all.

 

The IAC (idle air controller) is how the computer controls engine idle.
It may be dirty and sticking or even moisture has frozen from not getting hot enough.
A large vacuum leak can do the same.
Look at the PCV hose asembly for a problem. The crank case is fully sealed even the oil dip stick has a seal around it.
You should get a CEL lamp some time, out of this.
Just watch when your driving you don't run into some one with this condition.

 

Hmm.. Sounds like it could be the IAC although usually; IAC and Vaccume lines produce a low idle, or a "Choking" idle if you will. Either way, it couldn't hurt cleaning or replacing the IAC. If you're not sure what it is, it's the "Idle Air Control" Valve and can be found behind / on the passenger side of the engine block. (Almost On Firewall) And it's a small (4" x 4") silver metal canister looking container.

If you want to clean the IAC; buy "Electrical Contact Cleaner* Which can be found at most auto part stores or Home Depot. Dissasemble the IAC (Should have two screws in back) and spray inside thouroghly. If this helps, than it's your obvious problem and I reccomend getting it replaced. As cleaning only prolongs the problem. It's about $40 in Auto Part stores, or $15 on Ebay.

Hope This Helps.

( I will Attatch Pics of The IAC Below)

 

 

Bluegrass & Flareford thanks for your replies and suggestions (and the pics to Flare!).

I took the truck out this afternoon to run some errands and it was back to normal. But it did creep up on me. I got on the gas to get going from a stop and it the idle was hanging again.

But I got off the road at a gas station let it sit about 10 minutes and its been fine.

So I will do some messing around with it this weekend. Ill report back. If anyone else has ideas I will be checking in from home all weekend.

Thanks..

 

Sorry for not getting back to my post in a few weeks.

To bring you up to speed I have not had a repeat of the problem I originally posted about.

I did however deciede to order a new IAC for my truck just to have peace of mind (part was only $60).

Only problem is that the part I ordered (from NAPA) was incorrect. It was the correct mounting face except the part that was shipped had an extra intake/outtake tube like you would connect another hose to. My original dose not have this. Checking with my local store (and going to a few other parts stores in town) when they looked up my truck 2002 F150 Screw 5.4 V8 this is the part they all came up with. I did look through the parts book with a few of the dealers, I did find a part that looks similar to what I have from the picture but wasn’t sure because the part that look similar was for an 01 model.

I guess my follow up question to everyone is: How do you know specifically what year parts you should I get. I mean if the truck is listed as an 02 should you assume all parts be 02 as well (engine and body)? Or is there going to be crossover on years and that’s just the way it’s going to be? Is there a way to check this through the VIN?

I know there was a white sticker/tag on the piece with a barcode and number which I am kicking myself for not writing down which I am sure will hold the key to this mystery even though I brought both parts into Napa when I returned the replacement one and they couldn’t find anything with that number on the original.

Thanks

 

I would bet that your truck's production date shows that you got an 01 engine.
This is not a rare occurance.
I have an 86 ranger with a rear equipped with 87 brake parts.
There was a productuion change between the two years.
I to, went to several parts houses that came up with the same information until I ask them to look at parts for 87 and bingo.
Go with the 01 part or you will never get the right one for your truck's engine under 02 listings..

 

i have the same problem but it got worse and i was wondering if you could help me i have the same truck but regular cab two seater 4.6 sohc and i saw this forum before and looked in my truck and i couldn't find that iac valve can you help me???