Ok, on the way home from work today my car was doing it's whole bad idling thing where my car is just struggling to stay on. It does this once in a while and the car barely ever died. BUT on the way home my car died at every stop light. It was very embarrassing to be at the light getting my car to stay in the higher rpms so it wouldn't die. So what I wanted to know was if this has happened to any of you guys and what can I check for so I can fix it myself? Recently I have changed my spark plugs, spark plug wires, alternator and my thermostat. All this stuff keeps going wrong with my car and I thought maybe the bad idling would stop happening if I changed my spark plug wires. Because they were jacked up! What causes rough idling and what I described? Please help, I need this fixed!!!

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1992 RS 3.1L Bone Stock

 

Check your timing.

 

Take your pick: Fuel filter, IAC, MAP sensor, TPS, ect. Are there any codes?

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Ya can't have too many fast Chevys!

 

I have no idea how to check for codes. I heard you need a special tool.

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1992 RS 3.1L Bone Stock

 

No special tool, unless you call a 3 inch piece of wire a special tool You have to jumper two of the OBD terminals with the wire while the key is turned to the on position. Right now, I cant remember with two to jumper, I think its the A & B treminals, but not 100% sure. Go buy a shop manual (if you dont already have one) it will give directions on this process.

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Ya can't have too many fast Chevys!

 

if there are codes, the will display as the service engine soon light. It should come on, while the car is running, so, what u'll need to do is turn the key to on, (w/o starting the car) and then trip the code. There's an article on this website on how to trip the codes. But i also have forgotten which wires to cross... Anyway, it's simple, and will give you an idea of whats going wrong.

 

you need to connect the A and B terminals. its the two on the far right of the top row of the diagnostic port

 

A SIMPLE WAY IS THE PAPERCLIP.
I was blind and did not know where the A & B terminal is/was.
I cheated.
I paid $30 for ascanner tool from a Kragen (all stores have them, tho about the same price range) I inserted it and read tehe book for th eanswers.
IT's idiot proof (AND I AM AN IDIOT SOMEDAYS!) and the answers are in the following pages.
It's a wise investment for one, $30-ish.
You're dying.
Vacuum leak!
You broke a connection somewhere.
CHECK EVEYTHING ESPECIALLY THE HOSE AT THE BASE BY THE DISTRIBUTOR!
These hoses crack real easy and will cause the problems you are having.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

Mine did the same thing when i bought my rs. All i did was change the air filter and put some fuel injector cleaner in the gas.
Worked great for me.