I've been trying to figure what's wrong with my car, and I would just like to get any help please. I've searched, and found nothing has worked for me so far. (I posted this in EG forum, but I guess here I would get more help)

Car Spec: 92 Hatch B18b stock and stock ECU.

What happened before problem: Was just driving low speed and around 3k rpm only, but suddenly car dies, and won't start, just makes the "chugga chugga" sound.

Problem: High idle, low idle will die, won't start: The car starts sometimes, randomly. Most times it cranks but never start. When the car does start, it idles at a stable 2k but abnormal. When I tried to lower the idle using the throttle cable and/or throttle screw technique, the car idles too low and dies or just the idle stays high.

What I've done: - Check vaccum lines. all good.
- Main Relay using 3 clicks techinque all good.
- Battery almost new. good.
- Timing belt and Timing seems good, may have to check it again.
Don't think it's the timing though, or else car won't ever start right?
- Grounds should be good since car starts sometimes.
- dizzy good.
- new spark plugs and wires. checked for spark using ground
techinque. good spark.
- did the FITV to lower idle rpm, tightening the white plate with
springs. -causes idle to be more stable but still idle high.
- cleaned the IACV with carb cleaner. -changed nothing.
- fuel pump sounds like it's working.
- fuel seeps when i loosened the bolt, so there is fuel coming in.
but I don't have fuel pressure regulator to see if there's enough
pressure.
- and no a mechanic is not an option. Rather just sell my car.

I really don't know why it randomly starts, and when i set it to idle low it shakes and dies, but when it set to idle a little high, just stays high. I think I did all I could possibly do except throw in the kitchen sink. any help or what I diagnosed wrong would help me greatly. thanks.

 

compression check?

any check engine lights?

i would also try a NEW IACV rather than using carb cleaner on your old one.

you said, you could adjust the idle high to keep it running, right?

keep it running, and drive it around your neighborhood and wait for a CEL.

 

hey thanks for the reply.

no check engine light.

the car if set at high idle will idle at a stable 2k. I was able to drive at 2k without it shutting down, but an engine restart sometimes work, but sometimes don't. I sometimes have to press on the gas peddle to help the car fire up.

I haven't done a compression test because the car when it does run, runs fine except with a high idle and don't have the tools yet. but is it even possible for the car to run without a good compression in one of the cylinders or even start? correct me if i'm wrong, but if something is wrong with my compression, my timing would not be correct and if my timing is wrong i wouldn't be able to fire up the engine at all right?