s13 idle problem..

[brokenben]

ok i've searched for this topic.. and found some info.. but i wanted it to be more specific.. so.. sorry.. anyways.. i have an 89 hatch that i just got about 3 weeks ago.. everythin was runnin fine but about 4 or 5 days ago.. the idle started getting rough when i started it up.. and the engine would seem like it was about to die out just before i engaged the clutch (moreso than normal) ..yea.. so now the problem has gotten worse... the car shakes really bad whenever im idling.., the engine kind of runs in spurts... and it has also failed to start up a couple times.. , however, it has never died out on me yet... i made sure that there weren't any loose spark plugs.. and im positive its not the mounts because of the engine spurts... my battery light doesnt come on.. and there are no other tell tale signs of alternator failure.. any help?

[Cheng]

it could be but i highly thought it's the alternator. YOu should try to clean out your maf, maybe thats dirty, but i'm not saying its not because your symptoms can be numbers of things.
1. maf
2. injectors
3. boost leak
4. loose wire
5. dirty trottle body
6. etc...just check up on those things and see what happens

[deviousKA]

yeah boost leak is the first thing i would check on 89 stock 240:duh: where is your car idling at? does it run smooth in the higher rpms? could be many things. first thing i would do is take the dist. cap off and clean it or get a new one. check all your plug wires and plugs. if none of those it could be bad injector or connection (probably not if ok at higher rpm) or your idle is to low (below 750-800). ka24e is a naturally shaky engine

[old_s13]

Looking back, these idle problems are just so easy to diagnose..

Its simple, have a look at all the small devices that connect to the intake manifold (ECCS). The biggest ones that effect idle would be the AIV, removing it and cleaning it definately helps overall idle performance. I believe there is also a cold-start device, you can remove that and clean that as well -- just use some carb cleaner.

Basic maintanance would include things like cleaning your MAFs with a q-tip and alchohol (gently), or spray it with carb cleaner and let it try. Clean the throttle body well, change the spark plug, check the resistance on the wires (or buy better quality ones like Magnecor). Change the cap, rotor, and a nice oil change. Air filter, PCV valve.. these are all basic items that need to be replaced and will effect idle and overall performance as well.

The EGR is probably the hardest one to diagnose, especially if its throwing codes.. that is why I ended up disconnecting mine on the SOHC KA. I believe if you go with headers/exhaust, the lack of backpressure effects the EGR system and it will contantly throw EGR code and at the same time, the car will stumble on take-off.

Anyway, thats way more than you asked for.. but check that **** and fix your car.. its all fairly simple. Man, there is just SO much crap on the SOHC KA motor thats just not needed.

- Mike

[fooddude]

I finally fixed my "hot-rod" sh*tty idle last week by removing the IACV/AACV and spraying it goood with carb cleaner. My SR now idles rock solid, made me sooooooo happy! I've had my SR for about a year and the whole time it had the most horrible idle till last week. Before, I checked everything, like the sparkplugs, ignitor, coilpacks, boostleaks, timing, injectors, etc,etc...then I just gave up. But last week I was bored and remembered reading in a post that some people were cleaning their IACV, so I decided to take off the intake manifold and IACV and clean the fuq out of it. Then BINGO! No more idle that shakes the whole damn car...soo much more comforting to be stopped at an intersection without you car shaking like people were :boink: in there

[brokenben]

hey thanks for all the suggestions guys.. ill definitely get to all that tomorrow asap.... it actually runs really smooth.. as long as im pushin the gas.. but as soon as i let off it gets gradually rougher..

[L.D. 100]

my sohc was similar, rough *** idle but once i was off it was good, the gasket between the head and intake manifold was all cracked and messed up, u can test this by spraying starting fluid on the area and if your rpms jump then theres a leak.

[mistaanime]

hmm could this be idle problem? i am about to stop for a red and I press down on clutch and brake to slow down..All of a sudden my engine light turns on , oil light turns on and my battery light turns on. My car bascailly while my foot is still on the clutch and it stalled. I drive down another block and i press down on the clutch again, the same lights show up. but this time I just downed it to 2nd and gased it the car juss contiune to run..whats werid is that it felt like the car had stalled again..but not sure how it started going again..only happened 1 day....

[mistaanime]

yea I posted this up earlier but didn't see this post..so yea..mah bad for the double post up.

[apocalypse]

Originally posted by fooddude
I finally fixed my "hot-rod" sh*tty idle last week by removing the IACV/AACV and spraying it goood with carb cleaner. My SR now idles rock solid, made me sooooooo happy! I've had my SR for about a year and the whole time it had the most horrible idle till last week. Before, I checked everything, like the sparkplugs, ignitor, coilpacks, boostleaks, timing, injectors, etc,etc...then I just gave up. But last week I was bored and remembered reading in a post that some people were cleaning their IACV, so I decided to take off the intake manifold and IACV and clean the fuq out of it. Then BINGO! No more idle that shakes the whole damn car...soo much more comforting to be stopped at an intersection without you car shaking like people were :boink: in there

Wheres the IAC valve located on the motor or whats it look like?