DJ_Sunrise

So heres the deal. I have an S14 Sr20det. Bad idle. Im using an apexi power fc, tuned at DSG. I'm well aware of the routine bullshit that may need cleaning, or replacement. Car has the blitz turbo timer, and has been just fine for the last two years. Pressure tested my boost system up to 15psi, everything checks out. Mafs grounded properly, all of my grounds seem ok, o2 sensor has less than a year on it.

Heres the problem.
Situation 1 - Day time. Lights and blower OFF.
Usually my car runs just fine, as expected.. however occasionally the revs slowly sloooowly start to fluctuate, and progress to the point where the check engine light comes on (because the rpms become so low), up to 1000 rpms. Minutes after, the car chills out, and the bad idling stops. If I take my keys out during the bad idle, starting the turbo timer.. The problem miraculously stops. If I put the keys back in and turn to the on position.. The idle becomes shitty again. WTF!?

Situation 2 - Night time. Lights on.
I turn on my lights, and often the same bad idle occurs as stated above. Starts mild, and progresses into complete shit..once again, rpms between 300-1100 rpm. If I take the keys out (lights still on), turbo timer starts...the car chills out most of the time, and the idle goes back to normal, with no bouncing around. I put the keys back in, and the idle turns to shit again.

Situation 3 - Night time. Lights on, blower on.
Like situation 1 and 2 on crack. Bad idle occurs within seconds of lights and blower turning on. And once again, like before.. If I take my keys out (t timer starts) and leave the lights and blower on, the idle relaxes, and goes back to normal. If I put the keys back in, the idle turns to shit.

Situation 4 - Daytime/night time, anytime, but only occasionally.
When I am cruising at a constant speed/slowly letting off the gas, I can here a mild backfire/burbling sound and mild bucking of the car. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesnt. During anything more than mild accel, or quick decel, no problems.

The battery/alternator/IACV must be fine because everything runs ok off the turbo timer, when the keys are out regardless of electrical load. I've been getting shitty gas mileage recently.. Im replacing the coolant temp sensor tomarrow going to the ecu. Hopefully it solves something. Turning the defroster on often helps. Sometimes so much as turning my turn signla on can start the bad idle...

Any ideas guys? My wallets hurting, and my car sounds like ass from the bad idle..Ughh

-Bart

DJ_Sunrise

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