Input Shaft Speed Sensor Replacement
Well, I did some more work on the weekend, namely to replace the Input Shaft Speed Sensor and also to clean the Throttle Body Thanks to Bennoz to confirm the procedure that I used for this as well - onya mate.
1. Locate Input Shaft Speed Sensor.
The first thing to do is to remove the Air intake, the Battery (always disconnect negative off first, always re-connect positive first), battery plate, so as to make more room to work with.
2. Undo Connectors.
I found that by undoing the connectors it gave you more room to work with using a socket as well as when leveraging with a screw driver. I was also concious of not applying too much pressure or movement to the cables for the sake of them being too brittle and potentially breaking them, given that these cables were 13 years old (1995 GPX)
You must also undo the Transmission Control Cable nut - relativelt painless excercise.
3. Removing Cable Bracket Bolt.
You need to remove the bolt that holds the bracket that the control cable uses. Part of this bracket in fact sits over the bolt that you need to remove so as to remove the Input Shaft Speed Sensor. I sprayed some WD40, and with a swivel socket, removed the bolt.
4. Removing Cable Bracket.
Removing or moving the actual bracket is easy, if you know how. I was fortunate enough to come across another FTO web site which highlighted that this bracket is in fact glued down,and to remove it you simply had to pry it off. I gingerly used a flat-head screw drivver to "leverage" it off.
5. Replacing Input Shaft Speed Sensor.
Removing the sensor was now relatively painless. As can be seen, once inserted, the bottom of the sensor touches some form of contact within the trans.
6. Bolt/Gromet.
One thing I did notice when re-installing everything back is that there is a plastic gromet which is used by the bolt. I nearly didnt see this as it had dropped away when I initially removed the bolt. Only by checking first the area did I notice this gromet.
7. Control Cable.
Also you need to take note of how you bolt up the control cable. The thread/screw is NOT perfectly roung but oval hence its important to ensure it is inserted propely into the hole when tightenning the nut.
Cleaning Throttle Body
1. Removing Throttle Body.
Removing the throttle body was quite easy. Once removed just be wary of the metal gasket not dropping off or falling down.
Removing the accelerator cable took some time. In order to do so, you have to turn or press down on the spring so as to allow the cable to become slack and eventually pry the little knob and cable out from an openning. A small mirror is invaluable in seeing how its connected, and also identifying how the sensor connectors are clipped on. The last thing I wanted was a broken clip for a sensor.
Also, when replacing the accel. cable back, make sure that it sitsin the black metal groove or guide.
The end result of once the throttle body is removed is as follows. The only gotcha I can see is a little spillage of radiator fluid when the two hoses are removed.
2. Cleaning Throttle Body.
I used some CRC Carb Cleaner. This studd is pretty potent in its stench so be carefull, unless you want to get high. The use of a small paint brush and an old (or the wife's) tooth brush also assists you in cleaning the Throttle Body. The end result speaks for itself. Also dont forget to clean/spray where the idle screw is as this also collects a LOT of carbon.
Suffice to say, this little excercise did not help in resolving my idling problem.
I am now purchasing a coolant temperature sensor unit (MD177572), as I have read somewhere that this unit when faulty also causes idling problems. I spoke to mate who has a mate who know another mate who is a cluey auto sparky and he said that in most instances that these coolant sensor units are also a culprit. Im going to see him this Thursday as he has the tools to plug into the ECU and monitor the car.
Given that this sensor unit is setting me back about $30 (thanks dstocks), Im not too fussed in potentially replacing the one in the car.
Will continue to keep you appriased of my challenges.
Cheers
Tom