C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

2 quick questions about settign base idle

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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 01:55 PM
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Default 2 quick questions about settign base idle

89 here

I read that there is a punch out to get to the idle screw I assume this is it. below is a link to the picture.

http://s599.photobucket.com/user/gun...8d526.jpg.html

Depending on where I look I see tat it's best to unplug the timing connector. Can some one tel me if one of these 2 wires is it?

http://s599.photobucket.com/user/gun...tml?sort=3&o=0

My idle is a mess 'im at 1200-1300 in neutral and when i start the car. When starting from cold it's about 800 then climbs to 1300. If i am looking in the rite spot the idle screw has never been touched. I just changed my IAC
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 02:55 PM
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Don't mess with the idle screw.....don't punch out the cover on the screw. Your idle is controlled by the IAC valve at the base of the TB.

If the picture you have circled and labeled as #1 is a SINGLE wire then that is it. Unplug the wire. I usually find the mark on the balancer and use something like paper white out to paint the slot in the balancer so it shows up with the timing light. Loosen the bolt on the distributor so you can turn it. Attach the timing light to the battery and be careful where the cords off the light are....don't want to get them into the belt!!! . Start the engine and use the light to align your marks by turning the distributor. Tighten down the distributor when you have it set....recheck with your light to be sure it didn't move.

You will set a code 44 when you unplugged the single wire. Turn off the car and disconnect the negative battery cable for about 30 seconds. This will erase any codes and turn off the check engine light. You are ready to go.

To replace the IAC you will have to remove the TB, so get gaskets. Clean the TB while it is off.

Good luck.
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 03:30 PM
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Remove the base idle plug.
Connect a paper clip, to your diagnostic terminal under your dash connect to terminal A and B (the top right two pins).
Turn on ignition but don't run the engine.
wait at least 30 seconds and then remove the idle air valve connector (IAC) (the square plug) then turn off ignition and unplug the paperclip.
Now remove the timing connector a single wire near the fuel pump relay.
Start your vette and set the idle speed to 400 rpm in neutral (auto trans) 450 rpm (manual trans) then check your throttle position sensor,
the top two wires it should be set to 0.54volts dc, also confirm with engine off that the tps rises to 4.5 volts at full throttle.
Turn off the ignition and reconnect the iac valve connector and timing connecter and start your vette.
it should go to 1200 rpm then drop slowly to 600 rpm, take the car for a 15 minute drive with the usual stop lights.
It is normal for a little hunting while the ecm relearns, also do a few spirited take offs.
All should settle after 15 to 30 mins normal driving and have a stable idle.
http://www.batee.com/corvette/dcrg/r...scuss_sim5.htm
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 03:41 PM
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The tan wire with the black stripe is the one for timing. The other one is your wipers. If you turn the idle screw, you need to set the TPS also.
Sounds like you may have a vacuum leak or a worn throttle shaft though.
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Old Mar 29, 2013 | 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by JackDidley
The tan wire with the black stripe is the one for timing. The other one is your wipers. If you turn the idle screw, you need to set the TPS also.
Sounds like you may have a vacuum leak or a worn throttle shaft though.
Thanks, that's what I thought it was. I am going to to do the entire process TPS included as stated in FSM and posted by churchkey. I don't belivve I have any vacuum leaks, I had 1 and fixed it. I did just replace my IAC I am sure the base idle needs to be set. Most likely the TPS is not set to .54 volts. As I have had the TB off the car 2x in last week.
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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The TPS comes off with the throttle body so removing the throttle body won't affect it.

I never touched the idle screw because my car is totally stock. Then it started dying at stops. The fix was to do the minimum idle adjustment. My theory is that the linkage bends over time and allows it to go out of adjustment.

High and/or wandering idle is almost always a vacuum leak. There are some pretty subtle vacuum connections (EGR valve sticking/stuck open?) so don't be so sure you have found them all. My car had a vacuum leak where the PCV tube connects to the intake manifold. I HEARD that one because it made a weird noise when the engine got hot and the rubber hose became flexible.
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by John A. Marker
Don't mess with the idle screw.....don't punch out the cover on the screw. Your idle is controlled by the IAC valve at the base of the TB.

To replace the IAC you will have to remove the TB, so get gaskets. Clean the TB while it is off.
The commanded idle is controlled by the ECM. That said, the throttle blades do have an effect since they are providing a measured "air leak". The wider they open, the less the ECM has to retract the IAC pintle. So they do have an effect on idle as does the IAC. I normally check fuel pressure and the check timing with disconnecting the tan wire and checking base idle (assuming the balancer is in good shape). I remove the TB every year and the IAC housing, clean it thoroughly and install with fresh gaskets. I don't reuse my condoms so why reuse these gaskets? To set the base idle, I use the ALDL connector outputs on the scanner. I set it to 20-30 counts on the IAC scale. If it is higher than target, it means the IAC is opening up more so you need to screw it in. If it is less than target, screw it out. This procedure works, AFAIK for both stock and modified. Caveat is that everything but the motor has to be off when doing it. Once everything is done, set the TPS. Procedure is fuel pressure, timing, IAC, TPS.

I'd also check and clean the injectors if it hasn't been done in a long while.
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by guno89
Thanks, that's what I thought it was. I am going to to do the entire process TPS included as stated in FSM and posted by churchkey. I don't belivve I have any vacuum leaks, I had 1 and fixed it. I did just replace my IAC I am sure the base idle needs to be set. Most likely the TPS is not set to .54 volts. As I have had the TB off the car 2x in last week.
But have you cleaned the TB and the IAC passages?
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 10:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Cliff Harris
The fix was to do the minimum idle adjustment. My theory is that the linkage bends over time and allows it to go out of adjustment.

High and/or wandering idle is almost always a vacuum leak. There are some pretty subtle vacuum connections (EGR valve sticking/stuck open?) so don't be so sure you have found them all. My car had a vacuum leak where the PCV tube connects to the intake manifold. I HEARD that one because it made a weird noise when the engine got hot and the rubber hose became flexible.
Was the IAC housing and the passages cleaned or did you just crank it open a little more?
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by aklim
But have you cleaned the TB and the IAC passages?
OOO hell yea, I just did intake gaskets. i cleaned the hell out of runners plenum tb everything all new gaskets. I just did the process idle is still high about 900 in neutral I have a 6 speed. TPS was at .46. I only drove it a few minutes i have to go out in ab it so i will be going on a 20 mile drive. i will check for vacuum leaks again. I recently fixed vacuum line from the EGR, i will check to make sure it is intact.

Last edited by guno89; Mar 30, 2013 at 03:41 PM.
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by guno89
OOO hell yea, I just did intake gaskets. i cleaned the hell out of runners plenum tb everything all new gaskets. I just did the process idle is still high about 900 in neutral I have a 6 speed. TPS was at .46. I only drove it a few minutes i have to go out in ab it so i will be going on a 20 mile drive. i will check for vacuum leaks again. I recently fixed on from the EGR i will check to make sure it is intact.
I believe the TPS is at 0.54.

Take a propane torch WITHOUT THE FLAME and NO SMOKING to the hhoses and mating surfaces.

How do you know the idle is at 900? Not trying to be a smartass but the tach is usually off in a Vette. Did you do it via ALDL or use a timing light with tach? I did all 3 and according to the ALDL and the timing light, it is 300-400 RPM lower than what the tach says.
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Old Mar 30, 2013 | 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by aklim
I believe the TPS is at 0.54.

Take a propane torch WITHOUT THE FLAME and NO SMOKING to the hhoses and mating surfaces.

How do you know the idle is at 900? Not trying to be a smartass but the tach is usually off in a Vette. Did you do it via ALDL or use a timing light with tach? I did all 3 and according to the ALDL and the timing light, it is 300-400 RPM lower than what the tach says.
TPS is supposed to be at 0.54 I was at 0.46 I am now at .054

I did it via ALDL, yes I was going by the tach. After driving a bit when I am in neutral I fluxuate between 800-900, i think 700 is normal if I remember correctly. None the less the car runs way better now and has a much better response when hitting the gas. I have a timing light I will test with that tomorrow.
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Old Mar 31, 2013 | 01:12 AM
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Originally Posted by guno89
TPS is supposed to be at 0.54 I was at 0.46 I am now at .054

I did it via ALDL, yes I was going by the tach. After driving a bit when I am in neutral I fluxuate between 800-900, i think 700 is normal if I remember correctly. None the less the car runs way better now and has a much better response when hitting the gas. I have a timing light I will test with that tomorrow.
Not all timing lights have a tach. Some do, some don't. What is your IAC counts with everything except the motor off? I would like to see what it is after it is warmed up and in closed loop. Also, fuel pressure?
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Old Mar 31, 2013 | 04:31 AM
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Originally Posted by guno89
After driving a bit when I am in neutral I fluxuate between 800-900, i think 700 is normal if I remember correctly.
The ECM controls the idle speed. It will adjust the injector pulse width and the IAC opening to keep the idle speed to spec. There is a tolerance to that number (+/- 75 RPM on my car), so the ECM will get it close and then say "that's good enough".

99.99% of the time a wandering idle is caused by a vacuum leak. They can be very subtle and in non-obvious places. A stuck/sticking EGR valve will do it, for example.
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Old Apr 1, 2013 | 12:24 AM
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I used the procedure in tech tips by Lars, he outlines the process very well and started that the process is in the FSM only it's in about 3 different sections of the manual. You can print the procedure and take out to the car for quick reference. You should have good results.
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