rough idle...left maf unpluged when started car twice..by mistake

[RondoAcapriccio]

I'm a little bitter bout my spark plug shut down but how positive are you that there's no vac leak? Have you done the resistance tests on your throttle position sensor, idle control valve, and air flow meter? Also could be a toast idle control module? Pelican parts has a GREAT write up on testing those parts. If you don't already have a multimeter then run to harbor freight. 10 bucks. Also could be free with any other $10 purchase with coupon.

sprayed carb spray around my engine...is this bad in anyway? but yeah didnt get any jump in idle rev when i did this. car is def running rich, you can smell the fuel.. not as bad as before i did what i said in my update.. its significantly better than when i made this thread but its not perfect. and no i have not... i know someone with a multi ill see if i can borrow from them.

[Swanny]

I'm a little bitter bout my spark plug shut down but how positive are you that there's no vac leak? Have you done the resistance tests on your throttle position sensor, idle control valve, and air flow meter? Also could be a toast idle control module? Pelican parts has a GREAT write up on testing those parts. If you don't already have a multimeter then run to harbor freight. 10 bucks. Also could be free with any other $10 purchase with coupon.

[RondoAcapriccio]

update: its still idleing at 500, but not fluctuating like before, drove it for a bit, (25 minutes) its ticking differently than before, i know these engines are notorious for it, but i dont know what a good tick sounds like so...but i believe its due to whatever is causing the low idle...also no vacuum leaks did a test, and a spark wire was a bit loose... thats all i got for today, was working for 8 hours so...

[RondoAcapriccio]

check for vacuum leaks. Unplugging the MAF wouldn't cause the car to permanently run rough. How long were you driving the car for. it takes a while for the dme to relearn everything. while running pull each plug wire one by one and see if the idle changes. the ones that get pulled and the idle doesn't change are the problem ones. I bet however it is something simple that you over looked.

What plug wires do you mean? Sorry noob here.

Sounds like my intake manifold gasket is leaking, lots of sucking noise will update in a bit at work, last night was to dark to see.

i always try to avoid unplugging my battery.
did you also gap the spark plugs to specs?
it takes 2-3days for mine to relearn everything.
give it another day, drive around...

I didn't gap them because they should have been gaped already.. And I wouldn't know the specs this is my first e30 and car..learning still, its not the.driving that's the problem its the startup and idle.

[4DR_Lou]

i always try to avoid unplugging my battery.
did you also gap the spark plugs to specs?
it takes 2-3days for mine to relearn everything.
give it another day, drive around...

[Ceeker]

check for vacuum leaks. Unplugging the MAF wouldn't cause the car to permanently run rough. How long were you driving the car for. it takes a while for the dme to relearn everything. while running pull each plug wire one by one and see if the idle changes. the ones that get pulled and the idle doesn't change are the problem ones. I bet however it is something simple that you over looked.

[RondoAcapriccio]

Big time vacuum leaks...have a shop perform a smoke test for you.

ughhh.... none are open on the weekends in this town..maybe jiffy lube if they do it....... but it was running perfect prior to my mishap.

[dnguyen1963]

Big time vacuum leaks...have a shop perform a smoke test for you.

[RondoAcapriccio]

replaced spark plugs... engine starts shoots to 1000 rpm, back to 400, then to 1300 to go back to 600 then back to 1500 then steadies at 500, when i pull teh throttle it chokes.


but all cylinders are running.

[RondoAcapriccio]

Verify which cylinders are not running...check for sparks and fuel at those cylinders.

havent verified it yet, but wouldnt the engine run at a higher rpm to compensate for fewer cylinders? car has a little hesitation when going from stop to go.... it was doing it before i had it worked on by my mechanic, then he fixed it, but it started up again since i left the maf unplugged....


im assuming its because the low rpms from not getting enough air... but idk.

[dnguyen1963]

Verify which cylinders are not running...check for sparks and fuel at those cylinders.

[RondoAcapriccio]

Got the plugs cap off, car is running , idle is poor 500 rpms sounds like its running on 4 , car shakes a little when stopped, while driving it seems fine

[dnguyen1963]

ok, just my neg cable? also i was going change my plugs, and somehow got the wrong ones from pelicanparts....got wr8lc.... cant plug into wire set, checked two plugs, they both were super dirty..

Neg cable is enough and, yes, you do need to remove the cap from the spark plug before they can fit into the boot.

[TG Goose]

unscrew the ends of the spark plugs, ie hold the ceramic in your hand, using pliers unscrew the end that is not the ground strap/electrode.

[RondoAcapriccio]

Do the plugs need the little caps screwed off to leave the threads exposed?

no.