low/rough idle at startup
#1
low/rough idle at startup
hey guys,
so i recently installed south bay injectors in my car and fixed the stalling when slowing down/coming to a stop problem. but now ive got a new one. if i start the car when its cold, itll run for a second then die out, unless i hold on the gas for a little bit then let off, itll roughly idle til its warmed up then it runs fine. only other thing i did other than injectors is put a polished plenum and holley avenger throttle body on it. i have the idle adjustment screw all the way out, and even with that it only idles at 600 when warmed up (which i hear is good) TPS sits at .54 volts at idle. it has a new IAC valve.
any suggestions? thanks
so i recently installed south bay injectors in my car and fixed the stalling when slowing down/coming to a stop problem. but now ive got a new one. if i start the car when its cold, itll run for a second then die out, unless i hold on the gas for a little bit then let off, itll roughly idle til its warmed up then it runs fine. only other thing i did other than injectors is put a polished plenum and holley avenger throttle body on it. i have the idle adjustment screw all the way out, and even with that it only idles at 600 when warmed up (which i hear is good) TPS sits at .54 volts at idle. it has a new IAC valve.
any suggestions? thanks
#3
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Re: low/rough idle at startup
I'd check the coolant temp. sensor connector and resistance readings. Also check for vacuum leaks.
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Re: low/rough idle at startup
Earl,Follow these link's to a T
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...702-post5.html
or this one
https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/tpimod2.shtml
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...702-post5.html
or this one
https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/tech/tpimod2.shtml
Last edited by Bob88GTA; 09-30-2014 at 08:36 AM. Reason: more info
#5
Re: low/rough idle at startup
i did the minimum air adjustment a few days ago with no luck, following that second link.
and how would i go about testing the coolant temp sensor? are you talking about the one obn the front of the intake manifold? what ohms should it read?
thanks
and how would i go about testing the coolant temp sensor? are you talking about the one obn the front of the intake manifold? what ohms should it read?
thanks
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#9
Re: low/rough idle at startup
exactly how do i go about testing the coolant temp sensor? obviously using a multimeter, and plugged in with engine running, but what wires need to be probed?
also, i tried spraying around the intake with carb cleaner with no luck... i dont see how it could really be a vacuum issue anyway, because it runs great when warmed up.
it idles at 500 rpm at startup and stays about the same or maybe 550 when warm. so im assuming the issue has to be something to do with some type os sensor that regulates the idle when cold?
also, i tried spraying around the intake with carb cleaner with no luck... i dont see how it could really be a vacuum issue anyway, because it runs great when warmed up.
it idles at 500 rpm at startup and stays about the same or maybe 550 when warm. so im assuming the issue has to be something to do with some type os sensor that regulates the idle when cold?
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Car: 88 iroc
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Transmission: t-5 manual
Re: low/rough idle at startup
exactly how do i go about testing the coolant temp sensor? obviously using a multimeter, and plugged in with engine running, but what wires need to be probed?
also, i tried spraying around the intake with carb cleaner with no luck... i dont see how it could really be a vacuum issue anyway, because it runs great when warmed up.
it idles at 500 rpm at startup and stays about the same or maybe 550 when warm. so im assuming the issue has to be something to do with some type os sensor that regulates the idle when cold?
also, i tried spraying around the intake with carb cleaner with no luck... i dont see how it could really be a vacuum issue anyway, because it runs great when warmed up.
it idles at 500 rpm at startup and stays about the same or maybe 550 when warm. so im assuming the issue has to be something to do with some type os sensor that regulates the idle when cold?
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Re: low/rough idle at startup
I can say i don't see how at all how the coolant temp sensor will affect the issue you have. All it does it when the temp sensor senses a certain temp it tells the computer to turn the fan on. Have you checked your fuel pressure? Have you changed your fuel filter lately? The reason i say that is because when the car is warm it doesn't need a higher demand for fuel. At a cold start your car idles higher to warm up so it needs more fuel. I would check your fuel pressure.
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Re: low/rough idle at startup
Originally Posted by earlpote
i have the idle adjustment screw all the way out, and even with that it only idles at 600 when warmed up...
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Re: low/rough idle at startup
street lethal you think it has nothing to do with the fuel pressure? not second guessing you by any means Just trying to learn something new. I know that he mentioned about the idle adjustment screws but i guess that i didn't think anything about that.
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Re: low/rough idle at startup
earlpote if it was a sensor then 9 times out of 10 it will throw a check engine light. not always the case but it will most of the time.
#16
Re: low/rough idle at startup
yesterday my radiator drain plug started leaking on me, so now that the coolant is flushed out im just going to replace the coolant temp sensor while i can, its a pretty cheap part anyway. ill let yall know if it helped any.thanks
#17
Re: low/rough idle at startup
Replaced coolant temp sensor yesterday, tested the old one and it was fine but just replaced it anyway since the part is cheap and I had the chance to anyway. didn't make a difference.
ill check fuel pressure today, last time I checked it was good, on the low side of the normal scale, but still good.
ill check fuel pressure today, last time I checked it was good, on the low side of the normal scale, but still good.
#18
Re: low/rough idle at startup
also ran seafoam through vacuum hose yesterday, and smoke was coming out from the passenger rear side of the engine, couldn't tell exactly where it was. car has edelbrock headers. probably have an exhaust leak at the header?
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Re: low/rough idle at startup
Some things to add to the conversation. Before you try to adjust the min idle screw, you must take the throttle body off, take the IAC off, and spray the heck out of the throttle body with carb cleaner. Take the springs out of the IAC and spray them too. Open the butterfly valves and spray both sides. I guarantee that if you haven't done this in the last 3 years that mountains of black gunk will come out. Let it dry for a few hours and put back together. Just visually looking a the throttle body with the intake hose taken off won't show you any dirt. The black stuff hides inside the passageways and in the spring of the IAC.
There is no way the min idle screw should be all the way out or all the way in. This means that the IAC is either fully closed (your throttle body is too far open) or your IAC is all the way open (your throttle body is too far closed). Either way gives you little or no adjustment. And that's the whole idea of the IAC. It can go either direction.
When it comes to actually setting the min idle screw, the advice in the links above does work. But I use an easier way myself. With WinALDL and a laptop, I fire up the car and take it for a long drive. Get the coolant temperature all the way to operating temp (about 200-220°). At that point, I'll drive home and adjust the min idle screw until my IAC "counts" are in the 30-50 range with the car idling in PARK. Closer to 30 is better. But anywhere in the 30-50 range should be good. (I got this advice from PCMForLess's website.)
The IAC counts will read differently in DRIVE with the car stopped. So only make decisions on this based on the PARK reading.
Having the IAC reading 30-50 in PARK at full operating temp means that it's still adjusting itself to be open slightly when the car is warmed up. It gives it still some ability to adjust if you get stuck in rush hour traffic jam (let's say coolant temp spikes to 230-240°) And it gives it a large window of adjustability when the car is cold in the morning. An IAC that is fully open during a cold start in the morning would read 160 counts.
WinALDL also easily allows you to set the TPS voltage when you're done. But do that last. As changing the min idle screw will change the TPS at the same time.
There is no way the min idle screw should be all the way out or all the way in. This means that the IAC is either fully closed (your throttle body is too far open) or your IAC is all the way open (your throttle body is too far closed). Either way gives you little or no adjustment. And that's the whole idea of the IAC. It can go either direction.
When it comes to actually setting the min idle screw, the advice in the links above does work. But I use an easier way myself. With WinALDL and a laptop, I fire up the car and take it for a long drive. Get the coolant temperature all the way to operating temp (about 200-220°). At that point, I'll drive home and adjust the min idle screw until my IAC "counts" are in the 30-50 range with the car idling in PARK. Closer to 30 is better. But anywhere in the 30-50 range should be good. (I got this advice from PCMForLess's website.)
The IAC counts will read differently in DRIVE with the car stopped. So only make decisions on this based on the PARK reading.
Having the IAC reading 30-50 in PARK at full operating temp means that it's still adjusting itself to be open slightly when the car is warmed up. It gives it still some ability to adjust if you get stuck in rush hour traffic jam (let's say coolant temp spikes to 230-240°) And it gives it a large window of adjustability when the car is cold in the morning. An IAC that is fully open during a cold start in the morning would read 160 counts.
WinALDL also easily allows you to set the TPS voltage when you're done. But do that last. As changing the min idle screw will change the TPS at the same time.
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Re: low/rough idle at startup
Pardon me, I didn't see you have a new throttle body in the original post.
In that regard I'd say check three things.
1) Vacuum leak. How much vacuum are you pulling at idle?
2) Have you cleaned the Mass Airflow sensor? CRC makes a Mass Airflow spray cleaner.
3) What is your base timing set for? Should be 6° BTC stock.
In that regard I'd say check three things.
1) Vacuum leak. How much vacuum are you pulling at idle?
2) Have you cleaned the Mass Airflow sensor? CRC makes a Mass Airflow spray cleaner.
3) What is your base timing set for? Should be 6° BTC stock.
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Re: low/rough idle at startup
Reid, that is some good info. I hope it helps Earlpote. I'm having the same problem as him. I have TurnerPro RT, even though it is picky about connecting to the ECM, I'm gonna try what you suggested.
Earlpote, you still have the problem?
Earlpote, you still have the problem?
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