Edit: Quick update in case anyone reads below: I drove yesterday without stalling so I'm not sure what's up. So if anyone has any thoughts on this it is certainly welcomed. I'll update the thread if I experience additional stalls.

Hi Everyone,

First, thanks to anyone taking the time to read this and for any assistance/advice you can offer.

So I had my 1989 RS L03 (E) TBI (109,000 miles) in to check on a potential A/C leak (started blowing hot after they charged it a couple of months ago) and mentioned to them that often while idling with the A/C on (after the car has been running for a while) RPM would drop from around 800 to right around 500, and every once-in-a-while it would be just enough of a drop to stall the car. A couple of days later, he calls and says that they cleaned the throttle body, but that there was an issue "where the cable connects to the throttle body on the passenger side, there is in and out movement and side to side movement." They said that this wasn't supposed to happen and that I needed a new throttle body, and that they tried two different "kits," but couldn't find the part they needed to fix it. They had also mentioned a "rod" in relation to the cable connecting to the throttle body.

So, having very little knowledge on this subject, I have no idea what "rod" or what exactly he is talking about when he says "where the cable connects to the throttle body." Do you guys have any ideas on what he could be talking about? And do you think it could cause an issue with the car stalling when the fan kicks on (I'm assuming it's the fan kicking on that drops the RPM just a bit too much sometimes)? It only happens when the A/C is running.

Sorry for the lack of information, but it was all I was given, and I just don't understand enough about it to even know what type of shop could address the issue or what part(s) I should be looking at/for. Just thought of this too - he used the word "bushing" once too; however it was during one of the phone calls and related to the "rod." ... Not sure if that helps.

He says that I just need a new throttle body and it is really hard to find one. Says that he couldn't find an aftermarket one and even called a specialist that said he couldn't get it.

Other than the random stall issue, the acceleration/idle seems to be normal.

Oh and not really related to my real question, they couldn't find an A/C leak anywhere, however it was low. (Just FYI - in case you care lol)

Any help in identifying the part/info on what he's talking about (potentially) is greatly appreciated! I am a complete novice when it comes to most things mechanical!

 

First Guess: They seem to be advising you that the throttle shaft bushings are worn. Apparently, they're too incompetent to install fresh throttle-shaft bushings in the TBI unit. They're also too incompetent to find the Air Conditioning problem.

You need a different repair shop.

For the record, I'm thinking more "IAC" than "Throttle shaft bushings" but anything is possible.

 

Thanks for the reply Shurkey!

Yeah, I was wondering why they couldn't find the parts they needed or really explain what happened with the A/C system (they originally charged it up in March). I understand that they are older cars but I would assume something like this would be relatively common.

I'm definitely no expert (or novice) when it comes to TBI stuff, but you mentioning IAC makes sense after reading a bit on it.

If I experience further issues with it (it's still good so far; so only a couple of days in), I'll definitely be using a different shop.

We'll see how it goes - I appreciate your reply!

Thanks