Get the latest advice about your car

Get Started
Advice » Q&A » 1997 Ford Explorer

Q&A

Ask Your Question

1997 Ford Explorer

Question: jumping idle when heater is on

Question

statictree, Massena, NY, October 11, 2010, 18:40
Profile_thumbnail
 Rookie

for a while it sounded like there was an air horn going off now months later its idle is jumping up about 200-400 rpm when i turn on the heater which only works on the high setting.

1 Answer
Answer It
Flag This

  • Answer #1

    DaveJHM October 11, 2010, 22:00
    Profile_thumbnail
     Master

    You have a couple of things going on here:

    1) the "air horn" noise is probably a sticking Idle Air Control Valve. They cause a "hooting" noise when they are binding, as the valve resonates on the composite intake manifold and air hoses/box.

    2) The idle jumping up when turning on the heater -- don't forget that most settings on your Explorer will activate the AC compressor. This is to dehumidify the interior when the heat is on. If this is the case, your idle may surge as the additional load from the compressor kicks on and/or off.

    3) The heater likely only works on high due to a faulty blower motor resistor. Usually replacing that is a good repair.

    Reply
    Flag This
Answer Ranks

This week's top 10

1 globalhelper 6 Autohaus Lake Norman
2 milesauto 7 TimGoodreau
3 csubak30 8 Merrimack Auto
4 jose8889 9 raiderron
5 obdcar 10 Camster