Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Truck won't idle in gear

[SBozeman]

Hi all. I was hoping someone can give me an idea of what might be happening here. I installed a 3k gov spring kit last year and the idle was always a little low and would decrease even lower for no apparent reason. Not a result of the grid heater cycling or a/c.



Last night I decided to tighten the gov springs one soft and two hard clicks to hopefully increase the idle and get rid of the low idle anomaly. After I got done the truck idled at 1000 rpm and adjusted it down to 750 to 800 (in gear a/c on) using the low idle screw. I took it for a test drive and the truck ran perfect.



This morning I go out to start the truck and it idles fine until I put it in gear (drive or reverse) and then it dies. I can keep it running in gear only if I give it some throttle when I put it in gear. I test drove it this morning and other than the dieing at idle it still runs great. So I go back into the governor and back it off a click and it still wont idle in gear. Could this problem be related to the governor springs or something else? Should I back off the springs another click? It's just that it happened right after I adjusted them which leads me to believe they are the culprit. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!



Oh yeah I also changed the thermostat at the same time but don't know how it could be related.

 

[BPonci]

I have found that the idle to in gear recovery rate for an auto is better when your springs have just a little preload. Initial + 2 clicks. Hope that helps. Let us now how it works for you. Good luck!

 

[SBozeman]

You were right. I went in through the side of the pump so I could get a more accurate measurement. I adjusted them to a little over . 040 (fairly loose) and readjusted the idle to 800 rpm in gear and ac on. The truck now idles in gear without any problem. Thanks for your help.