Mechanical Problems & Technical Chat If you've got a problem you just can't figure out, a noise you can't diagnose, or a check engine light that won't go away, ask about it here!

Weird Idle Surge Issue

  #1  
Old 11-19-2010, 03:02 PM
TiggerDX's Avatar
HCF Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lost Wages, NV
Posts: 230
Default Weird Idle Surge Issue

So after I cleaned my throttle body and surrounding sensors I get a warm idel surge. The car starts and runs fine. Cold idle is fine.
After being driven when I put it in N or P the surge starts. It is a higher idle that drops briefly then back to a faster idle then drops again.
Since I have been dealing with the oil leak I haven't messed with it. Pulled the head off, took the intake manifold off. Cleaned everything inside and out. New gaskets for the head, intake, exhaust and surrounding areas.
Re-cleaned the sensors on the throttle body and reinstalled everything.
Surge is still there. It will go away when I disconnect the throttle angle sensor and plug it back in.

Took it for a 20 minute drive to make sure everything was working for the head removal and when I pulled back into the garage the surging wasn't happening. Thought maybe the drive had cleared it.

Here's the weird part.
When I turned off the head lights the surging started again. It would stop when I turned the lights back on (either parking or head lights)
Not sure if the lights draw enough power to cause the idle to increase above the range for the surge to happen.

'94 DX with a D15B7

Anyway, any thoughts on what to check would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian
 

Last edited by TiggerDX; 11-19-2010 at 03:06 PM.
  #2  
Old 11-19-2010, 04:02 PM
TiggerDX's Avatar
HCF Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lost Wages, NV
Posts: 230
Default

After further trouble shooting, when I cover the lower hole in the TB the surge stops. This leads me to believe it may be the FITV -( Fast Idle Thermo Valve) causing the issue. From my understanding there should be no vacuum in this hole when the engine is warm, but when I covered it, it nearly sucked the finger tip of my glove off.

Am I looking in the right direction?
 
  #3  
Old 11-19-2010, 07:33 PM
94civichatchback's Avatar
Chubby Chaser
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: whitwell,Tn 37397
Posts: 4,679
  #4  
Old 11-19-2010, 10:30 PM
TiggerDX's Avatar
HCF Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lost Wages, NV
Posts: 230
Default

Yeah, it was cleaned with the rest of the TB. I monkeyed with the FITV more today to see if it helps. Will no tomorrow.
It is probably one of those two valves. Just need to figure out which one.
 
  #5  
Old 11-20-2010, 02:23 AM
mk378's Avatar
Recognized HCF Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,023
Default

Yes that would be FITV stuck open. Some people (in warmer climates) just fabricate a little aluminum plate to block it off. It only is supposed to do anything when temperature is below 60 F.
 
  #6  
Old 11-20-2010, 11:05 AM
TiggerDX's Avatar
HCF Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Lost Wages, NV
Posts: 230
Default

What I am most confused by is the fact the surging stops when the lights are on. Doesn;t make any sense to me.
 
  #7  
Old 11-22-2010, 03:27 AM
Forty04's Avatar
Laced with Sarcasm
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,280
Default

Could be bad grounds.
 
  #8  
Old 11-22-2010, 03:37 AM
mk378's Avatar
Recognized HCF Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,023
Default

Turning the lights on causes the alternator to load down the engine just enough to make it stable. This is similar to putting the auto transmission in gear.

Basically too much air is bypassing the IACV, so with no load on the engine it goes too fast even after the ECU tries to slow it down by fully closing the IACV. It appears the problem is the FITV. You could also try closing the air screw so your bad FITV does the same thing as the air screw did.
 
  #9  
Old 11-22-2010, 08:35 AM
Soarer's Avatar
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1
Default

Originally Posted by mk378
Turning the lights on causes the alternator to load down the engine just enough to make it stable. This is similar to putting the auto transmission in gear.

Basically too much air is bypassing the IACV, so with no load on the engine it goes too fast even after the ECU tries to slow it down by fully closing the IACV. It appears the problem is the FITV. You could also try closing the air screw so your bad FITV does the same thing as the air screw did.
I had the same problem. I replaced the FITV with a used one off eBay for $20. Problem solved.
 
  #10  
Old 11-22-2010, 09:00 AM
mando617's Avatar
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: dallas tx
Posts: 12
Default

mine does the opposite it surges when it is cold but once you run it its fine
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Weird Idle Surge Issue



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 06:11 PM.