M20 cold idle troubleshoot

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  • sam3
    Wrencher
    • May 2007
    • 206

    #1

    M20 cold idle troubleshoot

    OK, I know this is common, but I'm just not too familiar with the M20s and it seems I've taken most of the immediate corrective actions already, (89 Ix) car has been a rough cold-idler for a while but has gotten worse lately.I changed out the blue coolant temp since this seemed like a likely candidate, the old one crumbled. Car has all new intake gaskets from some previous work, I swapped the ICV with a known good one, no change. New intake boot, nothing. Everything is plugged in, no check engine light, no intake leaks I can find. It's only when cold that the car stumbles, once warm it runs like a dream. What's next?
    Thanks
  • TurboJake
    No R3VLimiter
    • Oct 2010
    • 3780

    #2
    Tried recalibrating the TPS?


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    • 5KWattson
      E30 Modder
      • Apr 2009
      • 809

      #3
      Plugs wires try smoking the intake system see if that gets you anywhere I had a m20 cabi come in the other day poor idle was from rear seals @ valve cover
      "God created turbo lag to give V8's a chance" Taylor D.

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      • jlevie
        R3V OG
        • Nov 2006
        • 13530

        #4
        Unless you know them to be less than 5 years old, replace the plugs, ignition wires, distributor cap, and rotor. Use NGK ZGR5A plugs only. Adjust the valves, check the rail fuel pressure, and have a shop run a smoke test on the intake can crankcase.
        The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
        Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

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        • sam3
          Wrencher
          • May 2007
          • 206

          #5
          Solved

          I decided to go through everything one more time, lo and behold I found that the center prong of the connector to the TPS had broken off, I soldered on a new plug and she fired instantly at -10 degrees, perfect 900 rpm idle. Gotta love 25 year-old cars.

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