Craftsman lt2000 engine won't run at full speed; idle ok, 33% gas=33% RPM, 50% gas=50% RPM, & 100% gas=50% RPM. So far I have only blown clear the air filter. Will atmpt tbl shooting this weekend.

First do a throttle body cleaning. There are many ways to do it. Here is one of them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gisr5dK0WDg

belt worn, loose or idler pulley weak --compressor clutch binding,moisture in system ,compressor internal damage

HI
first I would like to tell you, do this procedure only if the 5th digit of your VIN is C or K.

Description

The engine control module (ECM) learns the idle position of the throttle plate to ensure the correct idle. Anytime the throttle body is cleaned or replaced, the ECM must learn the new throttle position. The idle may be unstable or a DTC may set if the throttle position is not learned.

Conditions for Running the Throttle Learn Procedure

• DTCs P0101, P0102, P0103, P0107, P0108, P0111, P0112, P0113, P0506, and P0507 are not set.

• The engine speed is between 450-4,000 RPM.

• The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) is greater than 5 kPa.

• The mass air flow (MAF) is greater than 2 g/s.

• The ignition 1 voltage is greater than 10 volts.

Throttle Learn

Important: Do NOT perform this procedure if DTCs are set. Refer to Diagnostic Trouble Code

(DTC) List - Vehicle.

1. Start and idle the engine in PARK for 3 minutes.

2. With a scan tool, monitor desired and actual RPM.

3. The ECM will start to learn the new idle cells and Desired RPM should start to decrease.

4. Ignition OFF for 60 seconds.

5. Start and idle the engine in PARK for 3 minutes.

6. After the 3 minute run time the engine should be idling normal.

Important: During the drive cycle the check engine light may come on with idle speed DTCs. If idle speed codes are set, clear codes so the ECM can continue to learn.

* If the engine idle speed has not been learned the vehicle will need to be driven at

speeds above 70 km/h (44 mph) with several decelerations and extended idles.

7. After the drive cycle, the engine should be idling normally.

* If the engine idle speed has not been learned, turn OFF the ignition for 60 seconds

and repeat step 6.
8. Once the engine speed has returned to normal, clear DTCs.
Good Luck

cold engine idle surge. (problem)
RPM range of surge not stated
300-700 or 800 to 1500? (range is critical to diagnosis)

bad fuel
running summer fuel in winter (running old fuel?)
needs a tune up bad, see the list in the operator guide.
idle speed controller,sticking or EGR valve same. (clean them)
location not stated, so cant guess about local air temps.?
no other symptoms, lack of engine power? etc?
was it ok last week, or better, when was the last time it was OK?
1week, 1year?
surge , causes, on a tuned engine might be:
1: too lean. so lean the ISC can not control idle. rpm low, stalling
2: too rich, flooding, stalling, spark plugs foul (look at them)
3: weak compression in 1 or more cylinders.
4: bad spark.
5: air leaks, in the plenum causing , ISC to lose control.
why high RPM?

especially?
well that means it fails hot too.
and there is a simple tests. for hot surge.
is engine fully hot? 180F and holds solid there?
say rpm is about 800
and you turn on head lights, heater fan and (not AC) and defrost.
the RPM must hold or the ISC is failing.
ISC -= idle speed controls. (all EFI has this function)

Engine stall or RPM fluctuates at idle.

This problem is commonly caused by a dirty automatic idle speed control valve and throttle valve. Buy a can of throttle valve cleaner (do not use carburetor spray cleaner!) from NAPA or Carquest (made by CRC chemicals) and spray it into the air intake while the engine is running, use up about 1/2 the can, engine will try to stall hold the speed up, shut it down and let it soak for 30 minutes, restart and blow out the remaining fluid, shut it down and disconnect the negative battery cable for 5 Min's to reset the base idle control

Really sounds like a vacuum leak. Lean code could still be accurate. Screaming idle usually means air is getting into engine. Ruptured EGR diaphragm would vent air. Brake booster could vent air. A lot of air will show lean mix.

You may have to use different methods to test vacuum. Some use vacuum gauge to test egr and lines which dead end into solenoids. Other tests use water spray or propane gas to draw in and change rpm. You are at a disadvantage if engine does not run.

Crankshaft sensor helps set fuel volume for given rpm. Might not be counting all the rpm's, but would not account for fast idle.

RPM's up and down check EGR valve and sensor. EGR valve and sensor control idle. That's why your getting the surging on rpm's and this could be giving out the other codes. If mass flow was bad car will not start and the same for the map sensor. O2 sensor measures gas and air for right mixer. TPS controls 0-60 speed as in throttle respons.

From the service manual:

Idle Speed/Ignition Timing/Idle Mixture Ratio Adjustment
NGEC0549
PREPARATION
NGEC0549S01
1) Make sure that the following parts are in good order.
I Battery
I Ignition system
I Engine oil and coolant levels
I Fuses
I ECM harness connector
I Vacuum hoses
I Air intake system
(Oil filler cap, oil level gauge, etc.)
I Fuel pressure
I Engine compression
I EGR valve operation (If so equipped)
I Throttle valve
I Evaporative emission system
2) On air conditioner equipped models, checks should be carried out while the air conditioner is OFF.
3) On automatic transmission equipped models, when checking idle rpm, ignition timing and mixture ratio,
checks should be carried out while shift lever is in “N” position.
4) When measuring “CO” percentage, insert probe more than 40 cm (15.7 in) into tail pipe.
5) Turn off headlamps, heater blower, rear defogger.
6) Keep front wheels pointed straight ahead.
7) Make the check after the cooling fan has stopped.

SEF976U
3. Open engine hood and run engine at about 2,000 rpm for about 2 minutes under no-load.
SEF977U
4. Perform diagnostic test mode II (Self-diagnostic results). Refer to EC-644.
SEF217U
OK or NG
OK ' GO TO 2.
NG ' 1. Repair or replace components as necessary.
2. GO TO 2.
BASIC SERVICE PROCEDURE VG33E
Idle Speed/Ignition Timing/Idle Mixture Ratio Adjustment (Cont’d)
EC-616
2 CHECK IGNITION TIMING
1. Run engine at about 2,000 rpm for about 2 minutes under no-load.
2. Rev engine (2,000 to 3,000 rpm) two or three times under no-load, then run engine at idle speed.
SEF978U
3. Turn off engine and disconnect throttle position sensor harness connector.
SEF975R
4. Start and rev engine (2,000 - 3,000 rpm) two or three times under no-load, then run at idle speed.
5. Check ignition timing with a timing light.
SEF371S
15°±2° BTDC (in “P” or “N” position)
OK or NG
OK ' GO TO 4.
NG ' GO TO 3.
GI
MA
EM
LC
FE
CL
MT
AT
TF
PD
AX
SU
BR
ST
RS
BT
HA
SC
EL
IDX
BASIC SERVICE PROCEDURE VG33E
Idle Speed/Ignition Timing/Idle Mixture Ratio Adjustment (Cont’d)
EC-617
3 ADJUST IGNITION TIMING
1. Adjust ignition timing by turning distributor after loosening securing bolts.
2. Turn off engine and connect throttle position sensor harness connector to throttle position sensor.
SEF972R
' GO TO 2.
4 CHECK BASE IDLE SPEED
With CONSULT-II
1. Read idle speed in “DATA MONITOR” mode with CONSULT-II.
PEF356V
700±50 rpm (in “P” or “N” position)
Without CONSULT-II
1. Check idle speed.
700±50 rpm (in “P” or “N” position)
OK or NG
OK ' GO TO 6.
NG ' GO TO 5.

Common issue at the shop (i'm a ford technician), here is what I do to correct it.
Here is the most common cause of surges and stalls at stops and low erratic idle speed and rough idle, it is the idle speed control air-bypass valve and throttle valve (IAC for short), they get full of gunk over the miles and cause idle issues (stalls, low idle) like yours, Get a can of intake cleaner from any local parts store, not carb spray, intake cleaner, it is made by a company called CRC, remove the air intake hose to the engine, hold the idle high so the engine won't stall, then spray the can of cleaner into the intake while keeping the engine running, use at least 1/2 the can, shut down the engine and disconnect the battery for 5 minutes, then restart and complete a number of mixed driving cycles, town, freeway, stop and go etc., after a few days the problem will go away as the system will relearn to the clean intake.

Since this is an intermittent problem, first try to determine if the problem arises due to one of these many intermittent problems:

* Vehicle vibration
* Heat sensitive
* Freezing
* Water intrusion
* Electrical load
* Cold or hot start up

If you can't isolate the cause of the intermittent problem, you can try adjusting the Idle Speed/Ignition Timing/Idle Mixture Ratio:

Idle Speed/Ignition Timing/Idle Mixture Ratio Adjustment

PREPARATION
1) Make sure that the following parts are in good order.

* Battery
* Ignition system
* Engine oil and coolant levels
* Fuses
* ECM harness connector
* Vacuum hoses
* Air intake system
* (Oil filler cap, oil level gauge, etc.)
* Fuel pressure
* Engine compression
* EGR valve operation (If so equipped)
* Throttle valve
* Evaporative emission system

2) On air conditioner equipped models, checks should be carried out while the air conditioner is OFF.
3) On automatic transmission equipped models, when checking idle rpm, ignition timing and mixture ratio,
checks should be carried out while shift lever is in “N” position.
4) When measuring “CO” percentage, insert probe more than 40 cm (15.7 in) into tail pipe.
5) Turn off headlamps, heater blower, rear defogger.
6) Keep front wheels pointed straight ahead.
7) Make the check after the cooling fan has stopped.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE

1 INSPECTION START
1. Visually check the following:
I Air cleaner clogging
I Hoses and ducts for leaks
I EGR valve operation (If so equipped)
I Electrical connectors
I Gasket
I Throttle valve and throttle position sensor operation
2. Start engine and warm it up until engine coolant temperature indicator points to the middle of gauge.
Ensure engine stays below 1,000 rpm.
3. Open engine hood and run engine at about 2,000 rpm for about 2 minutes under no-load.
4. Perform diagnostic test mode II (Self-diagnostic results).
OK or NG
OK ' GO TO 2.
NG ' 1. Repair or replace components as necessary.
2. GO TO 2.

2 CHECK IGNITION TIMING
1. Run engine at about 2,000 rpm for about 2 minutes under no-load.
2. Rev engine (2,000 to 3,000 rpm) two or three times under no-load, then run engine at idle speed.
3. Turn off engine and disconnect throttle position sensor harness connector.
4. Start and rev engine (2,000 - 3,000 rpm) two or three times under no-load, then run at idle speed.
5. Check ignition timing with a timing light.
15°±2° BTDC (in “P” or “N” position)
OK or NG
OK ' GO TO 4.
NG ' GO TO 3.

3 ADJUST IGNITION TIMING
1. Adjust ignition timing by turning distributor after loosening securing bolts.
2. Turn off engine and connect throttle position sensor harness connector to throttle position sensor.
' GO TO 2.


4 CHECK BASE IDLE SPEED
1. Check idle speed.
700±50 rpm (in “P” or “N” position)
OK or NG
OK ' GO TO 6.
NG ' GO TO 5.

5 ADJUST BASE IDLE SPEED
1. Rev engine (2,000 to 3,000 rpm) 2 or 3 times under no-load then run engine at idle speed.
2. Adjust idle speed by turning idle speed adjusting screw.
700±50 rpm (in “P” or “N” position)
' GO TO 6.

6 CHECK TARGET IDLE SPEED
1. Turn off engine and connect throttle position sensor harness connector.
2. Start and rev engine (2,000 to 3,000 rpm) 2 or 3 times under no-load then run at idle speed.
3. Check idle speed.
750±50 rpm (in “P” or “N” position)
OK or NG
OK ' GO TO 9.
NG ' GO TO 7.

7 DETECT MALFUNCTIONING PART
Check the following.
1. Check IACV-AAC valve and replace if necessary.
2. Check IACV-AAC valve harness and repair if necessary.
3. Check ECM function by substituting another known good ECM.
(ECM may be the cause of a problem, but this is rarely the case.)
' GO TO 9.

9 CHECK FRONT HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR LH SIGNAL
1. Run engine at about 2,000 rpm for about 2 minutes under no-load.
2. Set “Left bank front heated oxygen sensor monitor” in the Diagnostic Test Mode II.
3. Make sure that MIL goes on more than 5 times during 10 seconds at 2,000 rpm.
OK or NG
OK ' GO TO 12.
NG (MIL does not blink.) ' GO TO 17.
NG (MIL blinks less than 5 times.)
' 1. Replace front heated oxygen sensor LH.
2. GO TO 10.


10 CHECK FRONT HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR LH SIGNAL
1. Warm engine to normal operating temperature.
2. Run engine at approx. 2000 rpm for approx. 2 minutes under no-load.
3. Set “Left bank front heated oxygen sensor monitor” in the Diagnostic Test Mode II.
4. Make sure that MIL goes on more than 5 times during 10 seconds at 2,000 rpm.
OK or NG
OK ' GO TO 13.
NG ' GO TO 11.

11 DETECT MALFUNCTIONING PART
Check the following.
1. Check fuel pressure regulator.
2. Check mass air flow sensor and its circuit.
3. Check injector and its circuit.
Clean or replace if necessary.
4. Check engine coolant temperature sensor and its circuit.
5. Check ECM function by substituting another known good ECM.
(ECM may be the cause of a problem, but this is rarely the case.)
' GO TO 2.


13 CHECK FRONT HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR RH SIGNAL
1. Set “Right bank front heated oxygen sensor monitor” in the Diagnostic Test Mode II.
2. Make sure that MIL goes on more than 5 times during 10 seconds at 2,000 rpm.
OK or NG
OK ' INSPECTION END
NG (MIL does not blink.) ' GO TO 16.
NG (MIL blinks less than 5 times.)
' 1. Replace front heated oxygen sensor RH.
2. GO TO 14.


14 CHECK FRONT HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR RH SIGNAL
1. Warm engine to normal operating temperature.
2. Run engine at approx. 2000 rpm for approx. 2 minutes under no-load.
3. Set “Right bank front heated oxygen sensor monitor” in the Diagnostic Test Mode II.
4. Make sure that MIL goes on more than 5 times during 10 seconds at 2,000 rpm.
OK or NG
OK ' INSPECTION END
NG ' GO TO 15.

15 DETECT MALFUNCTIONING PART
Check the following.
1. Check fuel pressure regulator.
2. Check mass air flow sensor and its circuit.
3. Check injector and its circuit. Clean or replace if necessary.
4. Check engine coolant temperature sensor and its circuit.
5. Check ECM function by substituting another known good ECM.
(ECM may be the cause of a problem, but this is rarely the case.)
' GO TO 2.
16 CHECK FRONT HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR RH HARNESS
1. Turn off engine and disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Disconnect ECM harness connector.
3. Disconnect front heated oxygen sensor RH harness connector.
4. Check harness continuity between ECM terminal 50 and front heated oxygen sensor RH harness connector.
Continuity should exist.
OK or NG
OK ' 1. Connect ECM harness connector.
2. GO TO 18.
NG ' 1. Repair or replace harness.
2. GO TO 9.

17 CHECK FRONT HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR LH HARNESS
1. Turn off engine and disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Disconnect ECM harness connector.
3. Disconnect front heated oxygen sensor LH harness connector.
4. Check harness continuity between ECM terminal 51 and front heated oxygen sensor LH harness connector.
Continuity should exist.
OK or NG
OK ' 1. Connect ECM harness connector.
2. GO TO 18.
NG ' 1. Repair or replace harness.
2. GO TO 9.

18 PREPARATION FOR “CO” % CHECK
1. Disconnect engine coolant temperature sensor harness connector.
2. Connect a resistor (4.4 kW) between terminals of engine coolant temperature sensor harness connector.
' GO TO 19.

19 CHECK “CO” %
1. Start engine and warm it up until engine coolant temperature indicator points to the middle of gauge.
2. Rev engine (2,000 to 3,000 rpm) two or three times under no-load, then run engine at idle speed.
3. Check “CO” %.
Idle CO: 1.5 - 9%
After checking CO%,
a. Disconnect the resistor from terminals of engine coolant temperature sensor.
b. Connect engine coolant temperature sensor harness connector to engine coolant temperature sensor.
OK or NG
OK ' 1. Replace front heated oxygen sensor LH.
2. GO TO 10.
NG ' GO TO 20.

20 DETECT MALFUNCTIONING PART
Check the following.
1. Connect front heated oxygen sensor harness connectors to front heated oxygen sensors.
2. Check fuel pressure regulator.
3. Check mass air flow sensor and its circuit.
4. Check injector and its circuit.
Clean or replace if necessary.
5. Check engine coolant temperature sensor and its circuit.
6. Check ECM function by substituting another known good ECM.
(ECM may be the cause of a problem, but this is rarely the case.)
' GO TO 2.