bad idle

[rede30]

i cant get my 89 m20 to idle good, when i start it up it turns over and then fires then dips low and stalls. If i get it past that stage it just runs up and down near stalling if not and runs like that. once its out of idle she runs like a champ. i have checked a few things like compression, vacum hoses, plugs. any ideas, thanks.

Dustin

[SebSter]

hmm...check your ignition coils? distributor cap?. umm, maybe the afm? fuel pump?

[Sherwination]

:( I had the same problem for a while, i did so many things to it that i dont recall what fixed the bad idle but i suggest fuel hoses, filter, fuel preasure regulator any of those could be the problem and make sure you've done a tune up before any of this. Good luck with that its a tough one.

[rede30]

Sherwination i am thinking that will be the case for me. thanks for you help guys. i have done the things you say may be the prob, i will keep you postet.

D

[65Matt]

- vacum leaks (hoses, elbow)
- tps sensor (this will make it hard to start but run great when not idling) Follow the tests in the Bentley manual.

[bluebmcon]

This exact same problem accored with mine, after some serviour nail bitting it turned out to be a split in the hose on the edge of the jubillie clip where it attactes to the AFM.When driving she was fine but idle was a pig.The car would rock from side to side like it had a V8 in it.Bought the new pipe from the 'stealers'£15.50p- - - - - - - - don't know what that would be in $ and it sorted it right out.
Hope this info is some use to you??

[iXer]

Do you have a hard time starting the car? And if you do, does pushing the gas pedal do anything to make it easier to start? If so, it could be the idle air stabilizer valve that bypasses the throttle.

[rede30]

right now they are running a smoke check for the vacum hoses, i will look into the idle air stabilizer(it does help to give it gas when started but i have to keep the revs up or it will die). thanks

D

[Psychomofo]

i'm coincidentally having the same problem. although, once the car warms up, it will idle. however, it does idle around 1500rpms. ICV works, new AFM, new plugs, new fuel pressure regulator, both fuel pumps are new, and a new ignition control module. none of those fixed it. i will more than likely be replacing the distributor and quite a few vaccuum hoses while i'm still working on it. i.e.: replacing the clutch.

[rede30]

like ixer said i think mine is the idle air stabilizer, he being the 2nd person to say this and the other sorce is very high in the car knowlege, i think i am jsut going to take it from the shop and do it the real way. i.e ME. thanks again for the info

D

[Psychomofo]

the ICV-idle air control valve and the idle air stabilizer are the same thing. i am pretty positive that mine works though. whenever i unplug it with it running the revs go up. if that isn't normal then i'm stupid and i will replace it. probably replace the distributor and do the plug wires anyway though. :oops:

[KenC]

the ICV-idle air control valve and the idle air stabilizer are the same thing. i am pretty positive that mine works though. whenever i unplug it with it running the revs go up. if that isn't normal then i'm stupid and i will replace it. probably replace the distributor and do the plug wires anyway though. :oops:

Just because the revs jump when you unplug the ICV doesn't mean that it's working properly. However, if you have a steady idle it's most likely doing its job.

[Psychomofo]

well, there pretty much is no idle at all until the engine warms up. it doesn't want to run until it's up to normal operating temperature. once it is warmed up it seems to idle just fine. i guess it's what most people would call "cold collared".

[KenC]

Get some electronic cleaning spray and clean the hell out of the ICV.

[Kondour]

when i unplug my icv from the electrical connector, my idle does not go up at all... And i still have an rough idle at all temps. ICV is brand new and still trying to find the problem causing my rough idle... Any other ideas?? or help.

Thanks in advance,