my car i have been working on for quite some time now has a really odd timing issue i cant seem to figure out.
-it runs when i got it, it ran but was just over filled with oil.
-i do an oil change header swap and spark plug change. it runs great
-i install msd plugs it runs great.
-then i fix some of the wires next to the engine by recovering and rerouting them. i notice the knock sensor isnt plugged in so i plugged it in. car runs awfully i thought it was something i did when i washed my engine bay so
-i switch plug wires back to the old ones. it still does it.
-i buy a new set it still has a misfire. i buy a set of accel header plugs it STILL has a misfire.
-i buy an accel cap and rotor and it finally goes away.
- NOW when i start the car it idles around 1400 rpm for about 5 minutes then goes down to 500 rpm and idles roughly.
-when i adjust the timing for it to start up at 1k the misfire comes back. does anyone know what this could be?

it drives bad with it like that and its gonna be my daily driver next week since i finally got the title and insurance thing figured it out!!!

 

Timing should be set at 0.
Remove tbi unit & clean all the passages, replace the base gasket.
Remove the egr valve, make sure the valve isn't stuck open.

 

Put the timing back where it was, unplug the knock sensor again, see what happens?

 

make sure you unplug the EST connector before you set base timing

 

figured it out.

some stupid connector on the firewall by where the ac equipment should be was broken. its the one with like a three pin connector and a vacuum port. i went to local scrap yard cut the connector wired it in and plugged it in and replaced all my vacuum lines...

all my idling issues misfires and check engine lights go away.... 0.o