How to Adjust Idle on 4.0 SOHC engine

My 2001 Explorer Sport with the 4.0 SOHC engine has recently started idling around 500 RPMs which I recall is about 300 RPMs lower than it used to. I change the oil regularly and recently installed a new air filter. Other than that, nothing new. I have about 60,000 miles on it. Any ideas as to what is causing this? Is there an adjustment that's easy to find that I can turn up the idle speed like on the old carburetors?
Thanks!

The idle is controlled by the computer dependant on engine temperature and load on the engine. Look at the Idle Speed Control motor to see if it is sirty.

The idle is controlled by the computer dependant on engine temperature and load on the engine. Look at the Idle Speed Control motor to see if it is sirty.

Any idea where is Control motor is located? Does it need to be removed in order to clean? Thanks.

It should be bolted to the throttle body on top of the engine. It is a silver colored cylinder about 3 inches long. It is about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. It has a hose about 1 inch in diameter going to it and a wiring connection. It is held on by two 8mm headed bolts.

It should be bolted to the throttle body on top of the engine. It is a silver colored cylinder about 3 inches long. It is about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. It has a hose about 1 inch in diameter going to it and a wiring connection. It is held on by two 8mm headed bolts.


Thanks for your advice. I will give it a try.

Have u ever cleaned the throttle plate?

Have u ever cleaned the throttle plate?

I am a relic of the carburetor days and have never touched a F.I. system. My mechanical knowledge with cars is limited to replacing the oil and filter and other fluids, headlights and foglamps, fuses and air filters. That's about it.

If u remove the top of the air filter houising and the long rubber snout...it leads to the throttle body.
Just inside there is the throttle plate, you can rotate it with the exterior linkage. Spray carb cleaner on the plate, use your finger to clean it, get the back side good, even the edge. Do it til nothing comes off....clean. That should be done twice a year to keep u out of trouble.

If u remove the top of the air filter houising and the long rubber snout...it leads to the throttle body.
Just inside there is the throttle plate, you can rotate it with the exterior linkage. Spray carb cleaner on the plate, use your finger to clean it, get the back side good, even the edge. Do it til nothing comes off....clean. That should be done twice a year to keep u out of trouble.

Thanks for the directions. I think I can handle that!

R&R'er