low idle stalling on my 89
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Beavercreek Ohio
low idle stalling on my 89
I've searched and gotten some good info on how to start trouble shooting my low idle stalling problem. It stalls hot or cold when slowing at an intersection or light. Starts right back up and runs great at WOT.
A new symptom came up tonight after I disconnected the battery (just a shot in the dark) and went for a long run. The problem persists but during the drive I got an intermittent coolant low light. The temps were normal and when I checked it the radiator was full and recovery system was at normal levels. The light went out on the way home after several cycles.
So as I start with the fuel filter and fuel pressure readings what next
The car has never given me idle problems and There have not been any lights other than for low coolant!
Thanks
A new symptom came up tonight after I disconnected the battery (just a shot in the dark) and went for a long run. The problem persists but during the drive I got an intermittent coolant low light. The temps were normal and when I checked it the radiator was full and recovery system was at normal levels. The light went out on the way home after several cycles.
So as I start with the fuel filter and fuel pressure readings what next
The car has never given me idle problems and There have not been any lights other than for low coolant!
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 1
From: Pearland Texas
The TPS, if bad, will effect the idle. The CTS (coolant temp sensor) also. TPS voltage is measured between the bottom two wires an should be at least .514 volts. If I'm off abit I'm sure someone will help out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
First pull the codes, if any. Check the MAF connection. Remove the MAF and clean it with electrical cleaner. Something else to check is fuel pressure while driving..
.54v at the TPS closed throttle and >4v WOT.
.54v at the TPS closed throttle and >4v WOT.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,333
Likes: 262
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
I agree with everyone 
Your low coolant light has nothing to do with your symptoms unless the coolant is finding a way into intake/head/cylinder. The light maybe be from being a bit low on coolant and the level in rad keeps fluctuating, triggering the light randomly. Packing the cooling system should remedy the light. Open the cap, run the motor till stat opens, lean over and hold the throttle open to get about 2000 rpm, while holding throttle, fill rad and cap it off, release throttle and your done. Hopefully the light is just because your a tad low and not because the motor is sucking it in somewhere.
There is a tech tip for TPS and min idle in the C4 tech tips. Cleaning the TB and IAC passage before, would be a good idea.
Your low coolant light has nothing to do with your symptoms unless the coolant is finding a way into intake/head/cylinder. The light maybe be from being a bit low on coolant and the level in rad keeps fluctuating, triggering the light randomly. Packing the cooling system should remedy the light. Open the cap, run the motor till stat opens, lean over and hold the throttle open to get about 2000 rpm, while holding throttle, fill rad and cap it off, release throttle and your done. Hopefully the light is just because your a tad low and not because the motor is sucking it in somewhere.
There is a tech tip for TPS and min idle in the C4 tech tips. Cleaning the TB and IAC passage before, would be a good idea.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 33
Likes: 8
I've searched and gotten some good info on how to start trouble shooting my low idle stalling problem. It stalls hot or cold when slowing at an intersection or light. Starts right back up and runs great at WOT.
A new symptom came up tonight after I disconnected the battery (just a shot in the dark) and went for a long run. The problem persists but during the drive I got an intermittent coolant low light. The temps were normal and when I checked it the radiator was full and recovery system was at normal levels. The light went out on the way home after several cycles.
So as I start with the fuel filter and fuel pressure readings what next
The car has never given me idle problems and There have not been any lights other than for low coolant!
Thanks
A new symptom came up tonight after I disconnected the battery (just a shot in the dark) and went for a long run. The problem persists but during the drive I got an intermittent coolant low light. The temps were normal and when I checked it the radiator was full and recovery system was at normal levels. The light went out on the way home after several cycles.
So as I start with the fuel filter and fuel pressure readings what next
The car has never given me idle problems and There have not been any lights other than for low coolant!
Thanks
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 0
From: Swanton VT 2000 Navy Blue Mettalic M6 / 1991 Auto - Steel Blue 68,500 R.I.P
I currently have a very similar problem with my 91. I haven't been able to find mi issue yet. Please post what the issue was when you figure it out.
Good-luck , PatsFan
Good-luck , PatsFan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Try:
1. cleaning TB
2. cleaning IAC
3. Set TPS
4. Set Timing
5. Set idle
Cold be a couple of issues together... start by setting and cleaning all, then you have at least a baseline to go from:
Low Coolant lite: may need to pack-burp the system.. procedure on the site, if you don't already have it... search will bring it up, maybe 50 of the same post LOL
Good luck, vinnie
1. cleaning TB
2. cleaning IAC
3. Set TPS
4. Set Timing
5. Set idle
Cold be a couple of issues together... start by setting and cleaning all, then you have at least a baseline to go from:
Low Coolant lite: may need to pack-burp the system.. procedure on the site, if you don't already have it... search will bring it up, maybe 50 of the same post LOL
Good luck, vinnie
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 388
Likes: 0
From: somewherein Ar
Try:
1. cleaning TB
2. cleaning IAC
3. Set TPS
4. Set Timing
5. Set idle
Cold be a couple of issues together... start by setting and cleaning all, then you have at least a baseline to go from:
Low Coolant lite: may need to pack-burp the system.. procedure on the site, if you don't already have it... search will bring it up, maybe 50 of the same post LOL
Good luck, vinnie
1. cleaning TB
2. cleaning IAC
3. Set TPS
4. Set Timing
5. Set idle
Cold be a couple of issues together... start by setting and cleaning all, then you have at least a baseline to go from:
Low Coolant lite: may need to pack-burp the system.. procedure on the site, if you don't already have it... search will bring it up, maybe 50 of the same post LOL
Good luck, vinnie
You should do these things and hope it solves your problem, but if not, at least you know those are set correctly. If these steps do not reslove the issue, I'll throw out another potential fix. Long story short, my son and I chased an idle problem with a 92 z28 (TPI) for a long time.... symptons were surging and hunting idle, stalling at idle, and very high idle at startup. Turned out the problem was the pick-up coil within the distributor. It was slightly rusted at the connector to the ignition module, so we replaced it and NO more idle problems!!!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Beavercreek Ohio
Well go figure. I checked the throttle body for dirt etc. sprayed cleaner even though it appeared clean....checked connectors, reset the computer again and took it out for about 40 minutes. still did not want to idle. I was at 1/4 tank so I filled up. restarted and the idle was normal and has remained that way for a week now! I guess it likes the top half of the tank!!
Only in a C4!!!!
Only in a C4!!!!
