Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) idle speed control

[Djowell]

Does anyone have a way of setting the idle speed to temporarily run at 1000 during the initial start up during cold weather? I thought I remembered an article in TDR a few months past that covered this. If I let my truck sit for 5 minutes to warm up (750 rpm) the engine seems to get loaded up with fuel. This happens when it is 20 degrees or less out. If I sit in the truck and raise the idle up to 1000 for 2 minutes and then start driving, all is well. No white smoke even when I don't plug in.

 

[BBrooks]

Do a search for high idle, some members have some hot setups

 

[Djowell]

I will do the search. I thought some members would have an answer

 

[Tardog]

I put one of Harold B's high idle set ups on my truck and use it daily. Start the truck, raise the rpms to 1200 or so, turn on the idle (switich to solinoid) and then take my foot out of it and rpms will hold at about 900 when cold 1100 when warm. These numbers can be adjusted to your liking as there is an adjustment built into the system. Did't see what year of rig you drive so I'm not sure what you would require.

 

[bmoeller]

I, like a few others, are using a hand throttle. I have mine attached to the foot throttle under the dash.



There is a electronic box that you can buy ( don't recall where at the moment). It ties into your factory cruise control to bump up the idle. Kinda pricey for what it does though. Something like a couple hundred bucks or so. My setup cost less than $30. Not fancy, but works for me.

 

[Djowell]

Both great ideas but Where do I find info on Harold B's high idle set up? I think the hand throttle sounds a nice simple way to go. How would I set that up. My truck is a 96' 2500 4 x 4 all stock. 142k

 

[bighammer]

I took a picture of my 94 after warmup. Idle is a bit low for winter.



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It would be really handy to turn it up a bit when cold.

 

[radixr]

Bighammer,



Your idle is WAY too low. Governor springs can cause the idle speed to drop. You should adjust your idle up to "750-800 RPM with transmission in drive and air conditioning on. " That's according to the shop manual (96').



Whoops, I see you have a manual transmission. In that case, it should be 780 in neutral and air on.

 

[vssman]

Why not rig up an idle solenoid from an old carburatored engine that was used with AC? Wire it through a relay that turns it on when the ignition is on and has a master switch inside.

 

[bighammer]

I turned it down. I like it low in the summer months and when it's warmed up, but it would be nice to be able to bump it up when it's cold.

 

[Woodenhead]

I just hooked up a manual throttle cable on mine.



There was a spot on the linkage on the pump maybe for a cruise control cable or something to do with an auto (I have neither). I just bought a manual throttle cable and a plastic clip for the little knob on the linkage with a few other misc. parts and hooked it up.



Mike

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by vssman

Why not rig up an idle solenoid from an old carburatored engine that was used with AC?

Seems like a couple have done that before, but the solenoid didn't seem to last long.



I would find one for a Ford truck with a 6. 9L or 7. 3L diesel. They use them on the fuel injection pumps for that reason also. I would think it should last longer.

 

[wrichards]

I used a pto cable fr0om AW direct. Ran it to IP and back into cab through cigarette lighter hole (non smoker)(1998 dash) Works great. Give it 3 turns and crank, idles at 1000 rpm when cold. Also works for cruise control in VERY light traffic and is mechanical so fairly idiot proof.





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