Red00SI

Alright, I've been having an idle problem for a week or so, me and a buddy thought that the coolant had something to do with it. Well, let me explain all the symptoms...
It idling at 450 or so, put the coolant in the other night, and then it idles fine, well, 2 days later, its back at 450. Then, it was only doing it during the day, at night (im guessing when it was colder), it wouldnt do it, it idled at 700.

Now today, just a few minutes ago, i was driving, put it in 4th, and the car shook a couple times, and then the CEL went on, and it lost power (not completely). So i pulled over, popped the hood, coolant level was fine. I get back in, so i can see if i could make it home, I notice its idling at like 1100 now, I know thats bad. I make it home, pop the spark plug wires out, im gonna check those, and see if theres any detonation, but im just waiting for it to cool right now. Any help would be MUCH appreciated!

goldbubblecar

what engine code is your car pulling?

Red00SI

I honestly dont know what all that means yet, still tryin to learn. I pulled the spark plugs out, they're black as hell...im guessing that may have been the problem. I was running a hotter plug i realized.

goldbubblecar

On your passenger side on the right side below the dash there is a panel covering your ECU. Near the ECU, there should be a Harness that doesn't go anywhere. I think it has on a green rubber cover. Pull off the cover and put a paper clip or a piece of wire in the harness to connect the signal. With your key in ACC. Mode , it should cause the check engine light to blink. Depending on the amount of blinks, you will be able to find out what is wrong. Blinks are like this (Long) (Long) (FAST)(FAST)(FAST)= 23. Get it? Hopefully this helps you out. BTW, sounds like you are running rich.


[Modified by ek_mr5, 12:51 PM 5/10/2002]

Red00SI

It has this hissing noise, which I dont understand...and then when I shut it off, theres a bubbling noise..i figured a leak in a hose

Red00SI

3 quick flashes from the CEL, pause, 3 quick flashes again, and it repeats.

Red00SI

Problem solved!! If you didnt post about the engine codes, i would never have figured it out. Once i read that, i thought, hmmm, busted out the paperclip, checked, found a chart, saw the problem, and saw that it was a bad connection, so i stuck it on there better, now it runs like a champ. Thank you again.