Help, my car wont idle!!! - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

HotRodGuy · 03-17-2002, 11:18 PM

Hey y'all, I got a '91 240sx and it won't idle when it's cold, like first thang in the mornin' or in the afternoon when I git ready to leave work, or any other time that it's been sittin' fer a while. After the car warms up it'll idle fine.

Just wonderin' if anyone else has had this problem and if so, could ya tell what the culpret might be?

Thanks,
HotRodGuy

My Webpage <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'>

geeaj · 03-18-2002, 05:14 PM

If it won't idle, then you must mean it won't "start".

HotRodGuy · 03-18-2002, 10:45 PM

No, it'll start...but then it dies unless you keep the rpm's up for a minute, then it idle's fine. After it warms up you can cut it off then it'll start and idle (run) just fine, without even touching the gas pedal, like a fuel injected car should.

daywalker · 03-18-2002, 11:24 PM

since ur car is not OBDII u might just wanna look @ the battery or the alternator. if ur battery wants to be ghay and its not holding charge it may not have enough voltage to keep all the electrical stuff goin until it regains charge after a while. i had that problem w mine and it took me weeks to figure it out cuz i have OBDII. i checked everything except the battery and almost took the car to the dealer.
best way is to disconnect ur battery and check the charge in the morning if that turns out fine dont disconnect it and check it the next day again something might be draining it over time.now if the battery checks out fine check if the alternator gives of the right charge and if that isnt it u can start digging deeper. that is the first thing i would check because its the easiest and its free

HotRodGuy · 03-18-2002, 11:39 PM

Thanks fer the info, I'll give it a try in the morning. That's the only thang I hate about computer controlled cars....the average guy can't work on um unless he has access to the diagnostic equipment to check sensors and such. It don't seam to drag or start any slower than usual, it just won't idle on it's own for a minute when cold. Driving me nuts! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'>

xhdriver · 03-19-2002, 12:29 AM

i have a 91 and i have the exact same problem, i havent tried to figure it out though cause im gonna fix it with an sr20det soon, muhuhahaha i cant wait

91CRXsiR · 03-19-2002, 04:47 AM

i got the same problem i think its a vacum leak of some sort but my battery is pretty nasty , im gonna try cleaning it 1st before i start ripping everything off

planning on fixing it w/ a SR20DET as well..

Arcane · 03-19-2002, 07:09 AM

depending on how cold it is...could it be possible that you fuel line has frozen over...sometimes, water gets into your fuel tank and freezes when it gets cold enough...i didn't check your profile to see where you are from because i'm too lazy...if you're in a not cold place then it's probably something i don't know...hehe... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/dozingoff.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'> sorry it's early...i'm really not much use in the morning...

HotRodGuy · 03-19-2002, 11:59 AM

I didn't really mean when it's cold weather, I meant just when the engine is cold, like after it sits fer a while. Since two other guys have the same problem I ain't too worried about it anymore....still gonna try to fix it though, it looks bad when yer out and people are checking out the car and it keeps dying when ya start it. If I figure out what it is then I'll let everyone know.

I'm in Tennessee btw.

geeaj · 03-19-2002, 12:21 PM

Sounds to me like you have some idling issues. Have you cleaned your Throttle position sensor, or the mass air flow sensor?

I would start with this. When I bought my car, it had a terrible "cold" idle. I cleaned the TPS and it was much better.

HotRodGuy · 03-19-2002, 01:43 PM

Nope, haven't cleaned either one of those. I'll try it and see what happens. How would you suggest I go about doin that? If you've read my post "Just sayin Hi" in chat and checked out my web page then you'll know that I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but new to the EFI and Import game.

Hey, I just read Mark West's reply to an idle topic in the FAQ section. He was tawkin about cleaning the AIV. I may try that too. One thang at a time though so that I can find the culpret.

geeaj · 03-19-2002, 02:34 PM

Disconnect battery, just to be safe...

To clean the TPS sensor

- remove connector
- use battery terminal cleaner or wire brush and brush away al the "crust" and crud built up on the connector.
- repeat the same process for the mating surface on the TPS itself.

To clean the MAFS
-repeat steps from above.

For a diagram, goto www.240sx.org and look in the FAQ.

- disc

geeaj · 03-19-2002, 02:38 PM

To clean the AIV...

- unbolt the resonator box. This is the box that is connected by a rubber hose, leading to your air intake box.

- Remove the rubber hose connected to the AIV device

- Remove the four bolts which hold the AIV unit in place.

- Facing the AIV device from the top view, remove the four screws.

- Use a screwdriver and pry the top AIV piece from the bottom.

- Once the top is removed, removed the metal "reeds".

_ Use some wd40, spray liberally, and scrub with a steel wire brush.

- Reassemble.

03-17-2002, 11:18 PM	#1
HotRodGuy Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tennessee Age: 54 Posts: 105 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Hey y'all, I got a '91 240sx and it won't idle when it's cold, like first thang in the mornin' or in the afternoon when I git ready to leave work, or any other time that it's been sittin' fer a while. After the car warms up it'll idle fine. Just wonderin' if anyone else has had this problem and if so, could ya tell what the culpret might be? Thanks, HotRodGuy My Webpage <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'> __________________ '91 240sx SE Fastback (sold to a kid who wrecked it) '93 Chevy Silverado '03 Chevy Cavalier '05 Chevy Tahoe If it ain't broke... don't fix it, just tweek on it and make it faster!

03-18-2002, 05:14 PM	#2
geeaj Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 357 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If it won't idle, then you must mean it won't "start". __________________ Beware the fury of a silent man, be more cautious of his silent farts....

03-18-2002, 10:45 PM	#3
HotRodGuy Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tennessee Age: 54 Posts: 105 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	No, it'll start...but then it dies unless you keep the rpm's up for a minute, then it idle's fine. After it warms up you can cut it off then it'll start and idle (run) just fine, without even touching the gas pedal, like a fuel injected car should. __________________ '91 240sx SE Fastback (sold to a kid who wrecked it) '93 Chevy Silverado '03 Chevy Cavalier '05 Chevy Tahoe If it ain't broke... don't fix it, just tweek on it and make it faster!

03-18-2002, 11:24 PM	#4
daywalker Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 82 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	since ur car is not OBDII u might just wanna look @ the battery or the alternator. if ur battery wants to be ghay and its not holding charge it may not have enough voltage to keep all the electrical stuff goin until it regains charge after a while. i had that problem w mine and it took me weeks to figure it out cuz i have OBDII. i checked everything except the battery and almost took the car to the dealer. best way is to disconnect ur battery and check the charge in the morning if that turns out fine dont disconnect it and check it the next day again something might be draining it over time.now if the battery checks out fine check if the alternator gives of the right charge and if that isnt it u can start digging deeper. that is the first thing i would check because its the easiest and its free __________________ Norbert 91 Eclipse GSX 96 240 SE KA-T http://www.PhatKA-T.com http://www.Sound-Performance.com

03-18-2002, 11:39 PM	#5
HotRodGuy Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tennessee Age: 54 Posts: 105 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks fer the info, I'll give it a try in the morning. That's the only thang I hate about computer controlled cars....the average guy can't work on um unless he has access to the diagnostic equipment to check sensors and such. It don't seam to drag or start any slower than usual, it just won't idle on it's own for a minute when cold. Driving me nuts! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'> __________________ '91 240sx SE Fastback (sold to a kid who wrecked it) '93 Chevy Silverado '03 Chevy Cavalier '05 Chevy Tahoe If it ain't broke... don't fix it, just tweek on it and make it faster!

03-19-2002, 12:29 AM	#6
xhdriver Zilvia Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: 6 Posts: 273 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i have a 91 and i have the exact same problem, i havent tried to figure it out though cause im gonna fix it with an sr20det soon, muhuhahaha i cant wait __________________

03-19-2002, 04:47 AM	#7
91CRXsiR Nissanaholic! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: City of Industry, CA [626] Age: 42 Posts: 2,092 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	i got the same problem i think its a vacum leak of some sort but my battery is pretty nasty , im gonna try cleaning it 1st before i start ripping everything off planning on fixing it w/ a SR20DET as well..

03-19-2002, 07:09 AM	#8
Arcane Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 597 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	depending on how cold it is...could it be possible that you fuel line has frozen over...sometimes, water gets into your fuel tank and freezes when it gets cold enough...i didn't check your profile to see where you are from because i'm too lazy...if you're in a not cold place then it's probably something i don't know...hehe... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/dozingoff.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> sorry it's early...i'm really not much use in the morning... __________________ it's called a life...maybe you should get one!!!

03-19-2002, 11:59 AM	#9
HotRodGuy Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tennessee Age: 54 Posts: 105 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I didn't really mean when it's cold weather, I meant just when the engine is cold, like after it sits fer a while. Since two other guys have the same problem I ain't too worried about it anymore....still gonna try to fix it though, it looks bad when yer out and people are checking out the car and it keeps dying when ya start it. If I figure out what it is then I'll let everyone know. I'm in Tennessee btw. __________________ '91 240sx SE Fastback (sold to a kid who wrecked it) '93 Chevy Silverado '03 Chevy Cavalier '05 Chevy Tahoe If it ain't broke... don't fix it, just tweek on it and make it faster!

03-19-2002, 12:21 PM	#10
geeaj Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 357 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Sounds to me like you have some idling issues. Have you cleaned your Throttle position sensor, or the mass air flow sensor? I would start with this. When I bought my car, it had a terrible "cold" idle. I cleaned the TPS and it was much better. __________________ Beware the fury of a silent man, be more cautious of his silent farts....

03-19-2002, 01:43 PM	#11
HotRodGuy Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tennessee Age: 54 Posts: 105 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Nope, haven't cleaned either one of those. I'll try it and see what happens. How would you suggest I go about doin that? If you've read my post "Just sayin Hi" in chat and checked out my web page then you'll know that I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but new to the EFI and Import game. Hey, I just read Mark West's reply to an idle topic in the FAQ section. He was tawkin about cleaning the AIV. I may try that too. One thang at a time though so that I can find the culpret. __________________ '91 240sx SE Fastback (sold to a kid who wrecked it) '93 Chevy Silverado '03 Chevy Cavalier '05 Chevy Tahoe If it ain't broke... don't fix it, just tweek on it and make it faster!

03-19-2002, 02:34 PM	#12
geeaj Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 357 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Disconnect battery, just to be safe... To clean the TPS sensor - remove connector - use battery terminal cleaner or wire brush and brush away al the "crust" and crud built up on the connector. - repeat the same process for the mating surface on the TPS itself. To clean the MAFS -repeat steps from above. For a diagram, goto www.240sx.org and look in the FAQ. - disc __________________ Beware the fury of a silent man, be more cautious of his silent farts....

03-19-2002, 02:38 PM	#13
geeaj Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 357 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	To clean the AIV... - unbolt the resonator box. This is the box that is connected by a rubber hose, leading to your air intake box. - Remove the rubber hose connected to the AIV device - Remove the four bolts which hold the AIV unit in place. - Facing the AIV device from the top view, remove the four screws. - Use a screwdriver and pry the top AIV piece from the bottom. - Once the top is removed, removed the metal "reeds". _ Use some wd40, spray liberally, and scrub with a steel wire brush. - Reassemble. __________________ Beware the fury of a silent man, be more cautious of his silent farts....