Idle problems

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 6:29 pm

Since my car was in for an MOT last week, the idle revs have been all over the place

When I start it in the morning, while waiting to demist - the revs go up to about 1500rpm then down to 400ish, when occaisonally it stalls!
It still runs fine - just at traffic lights etc - there's always the danger it stalls - it a bit of a pain in the arse!

Its a 2002 K-series.

Any ideas - could they have messed about with something on the MOT?

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:16 pm

Sounds like your Idle air control valve needs a clean.

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:17 pm

tenkfeet wrote:Sounds like your Idle air control valve needs a clean.

How do I do that?

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:46 pm

You take it off and spray some carb cleaner down it .

If you have the manual its page 279 (Section EMO pg 11) . Its at the LH forward side of the intake. Two torx head screws hold it in . It can be a bit of a footer getting the bottom bolt out if you dont have the right tool.

I had the same problem:

http://www.scottishelises.com/phpbb/vie ... highlight=

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:48 pm

Cheers

woody · Post by **woody** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 8:31 pm

Admit it, your car secretly wants to be a sport 160

If your by this way, i can have a look at it.

robin · Post by **robin** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:27 pm

I assume the MIL isn't lit?

If that doesn't work, it could also be caused by a flaky #1 O2 sensor - the car runs emissions control on idle and if the O2 sensor is telling the ECU bollocks it will lean off or overfuel until the engine nearly stalls.

It might also be worth disconnecting the Throttle Position Sensor briefly and seeing if that has any effect - if the ECU thinks the throttle is opening it will go off idle control - the TPS is the 3-wire connector on the throttle body on the other side from where the cable/cam assembly is. It's not very likely, but only takes a couple of seconds to check out.

Cheers,
Robin

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:06 pm

woody wrote:Admit it, your car secretly wants to be a sport 160

If your by this way, i can have a look at it.

cheers I may take you up on that!

bertieduff · Post by **bertieduff** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:26 pm

robin wrote:
It might also be worth disconnecting the Throttle Position Sensor briefly and seeing if that has any effect......not very likely, but only takes a couple of seconds to check out.

Cheers,
Robin

Oh, faulty sensor happened to me- exactly the same symptoms. Not very likely? I feel special now

mac · Post by **mac** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:32 am

Wouldn't have passed the MOT with a faulty L1 sensor though - would it?

Your more than welcome to bring it over for a look see here too.

Mac

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 2:45 pm

could be a fault in the sprock-widget defriblicantoliser - I'd give the whole thing a good wash, and once it dries, work the gearlever from side to side as you fire her up.

HTH
Greg

/jelous of not being able to contribute constructively to techy section faction

thinfourth · Post by **thinfourth** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:42 pm

GregR wrote:/jelous of not being able to contribute constructively to techy section faction

Come to a spanners and sponges and you can contribute in person

milk 2 sugars pls

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:52 pm

You supervised last time I was there while I did up the fasteners holding up your undertray.

Both of them.

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:43 pm

GregR wrote:could be a fault in the sprock-widget defriblicantoliser - I'd give the whole thing a good wash, and once it dries, work the gearlever from side to side as you fire her up.

HTH
Greg

/jelous of not being able to contribute constructively to techy section faction

Sounds about as technical as me!

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:45 pm

mac wrote:Wouldn't have passed the MOT with a faulty L1 sensor though - would it?

Your more than welcome to bring it over for a look see here too.

Mac

Spoke to the mechanic who MOT'd it - he said it was doing it when he was testing it - obviously didn't feel the need to tell me! Passed emissions no probs!

Anyone available Saturday morning to assist the technically incompetent!