wont idle when cold

col2560 · Post by **col2560** » Wed May 27, 2009 11:55 am

wont idle when cold, and when its warm it still fluctuates between about 1,000 and zero and almost stalls, up and down like a yoyo swapped the stepper from my son's car but still the same, so it's not that.
any suggestions welcome.

thanks guys.

fto95 · Post by **fto95** » Wed May 27, 2009 5:22 pm

I also have this problem with mine, especially in the cold tassie winters. I've had it investigated a couple of times and have also had the stepper motor replaced. I have so far been told that its just something the FTO does due to an automatic choke? I find that if i get in and hold the revs at about 2,000 for a minute or so its fine! But i'm not sure if it is indeed a problem with the car or just the Automatic choke struggling in the cold weather! Maybe some one could help us both out with an answer to this! Any help appreciated Guys & Gals!

col2560 · Post by **col2560** » Wed May 27, 2009 5:39 pm

my son's car has never had this problem, it's a '96 gpx auto, my one is a '95 gpx manual.

Post by **aza013** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:11 pm

what are the ECU codes?

col2560 · Post by **col2560** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:14 pm

beats me, how do i check them?

Post by **aza013** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:33 pm

this will give you all the info you need

http://www.ftowa.com/html/workshop/workshopart07.html

Post by **aza013** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:38 pm

oh and if you look 4 threads above this one its a sticky post you will find this :- Error Codes Diagnosis - Engine - ABS - TCL - Auto Trans.

That will give you all the info on the codes, well every thing you need to know.
hope that helps

col2560 · Post by **col2560** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:52 pm

thanks AZA i'll try it tomorrow

is it easy to tell the difference between say, 13 and 31??

Post by **Bennoz** » Wed May 27, 2009 8:10 pm

Yep, the slow & short flashes are quite easy to distinguish.

col2560 · Post by **col2560** » Thu May 28, 2009 1:46 pm

ok. read error code as 32-vacuum sensor.
swapped it for my son's sensor, still the same problem. so i swapped it back and re-set the codes by disconnecting battery for 30 odd seconds. tried restarting the car, still the same and error code now says no errors (fast flashes continuessly)

what's next?? lol

it's so handy having the other car for parts, saves buying and trying.

Post by **I8A4RE** » Thu May 28, 2009 2:19 pm

O2 sensor, ecu, or maybe a blocked or leaking vacuum sensor line

col2560 · Post by **col2560** » Sat May 30, 2009 8:30 pm

can i just swap my ecu with my son's one? his is 96 tip, mine is 95 manual.

Post by **Bennoz** » Sun May 31, 2009 6:37 am

So long as they are both Mivec, yep.

payaya · Post by **payaya** » Sun May 31, 2009 6:52 am

first check the coils on the stepper (both could be screwed). If it tests out find check the stepper harness.

col2560 · Post by **col2560** » Sun May 31, 2009 9:02 am

my son's car has no problems with stepper, but when i put it on my car it still had the same problem, so can't be the stepper.

FTEvolution · Post by **FTEvolution** » Sun May 31, 2009 9:36 am

wiring to the stepper

col2560 · Post by **col2560** » Sun May 31, 2009 2:51 pm

is there some way to test the stepper? like take it off the manifold but leave it wired in then start the car??? will it just spin?
i noticed when i took it off the manifold the spring recoiled, i pre-loaded the spring before i reassembled it.

payaya · Post by **payaya** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 2:34 am

do a search, you can test the coils using a multimeter.

col2560 · Post by **col2560** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:26 pm

it was the stepper motor, makes a difference when you actually know what the stepper looks like lol ooops. trouble is, i buggared my son's car now, see new post "no electrical power"

col2560 · Post by **col2560** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:38 pm

i got a stepper from the wreckers and it worked 1st time, then 2 days later it was running rough again like before. it looked pretty new, any ideas??