i have an '87 f150 w/302. truck runs great except for this issue. when you crank it, cold or warm it cranks fine but then will surge and die. and not necessarily every time you crank the truck. crank it right back up and runs fine. has brand new fuel pump, filter and valve that switches the tank. sorry i don't remember the name of that part. a shop fixed that after the truck left me sitting beside the highway. anyway, i checked the throttle position sensor and was getting erratic readings from it so i changed it yesterday. didn't help any. i checked the inlet air cutoff and got a good reading from that. i am open to any suggestions on what to check next.

thanks in advance!

 

Try cleaning the idle air control valve ( IAC). It looks like a cylinder with a squaure shaped base with two 8mm bolts. Will have a plug on the end and will be by the throttle body.

Once off spray some TB cleaner into the holes on the square base plate. Let it dry and put it back on.

My truck was surging at idle and that fixed it right up. But if it only works for a little time you may need a new IAC.

 

thanks ma94xlt. i'll give it a shot and see what happens.

 

took the IAC off and cleaned it. has made a big difference. problem appears to be solved for now. if it starts acting up again i will go ahead and buy a new one to slap on it. thanks again for the suggestion. i guess being dirty doesn't effect the ohm reading on it.

 

Glad it helped you.... That is a common problem on these Fords..LOL