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Erratic idle only in cool weather

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Offline keith

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Erratic idle only in cool weather
« on: August 06, 2004, 01:30:51 AM »
I thought my idle gremlins had gone away, but this morning was 50 degrees and the tracker had the old unsteady idle until it was warmed up fully.  It doesn't do this at all when the outside temp is 60 or higher.  Does this sound like a problem with the air temp sensor?  I replaced the coolant sensor last spring.

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Erratic idle only in cool weather
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2004, 05:36:45 AM »
TBI or MPI?
2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org

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Offline keith

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Re: Erratic idle only in cool weather
« Reply #2 on: August 06, 2004, 06:10:24 AM »
Quote
TBI or MPI?


TBI

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Offline Maiden Hell

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Re: Erratic idle only in cool weather
« Reply #3 on: August 06, 2004, 09:32:21 AM »
My Sidekick has always sputtered in cold wheather but after about 5 minutes of warming up it runs as smooth as silk.

I think this problem is normal.

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Offline Rhinoman

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Re: Erratic idle only in cool weather
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2004, 10:23:43 AM »
Thers a point at which the ECU switches to a different map IIRC it is determined by a number of factors of which the air temperature sensor is one. If I find my FSM soon I will have a look. You should be able to check the air temp sensor.

According to my notes the nominal resistance of the air temperature sensor is 2.9Kohms at 20C, which is 68F
« Last Edit: August 06, 2004, 10:26:23 AM by Rhinoman »
2000 Vitara 1.6, 3+3 Lift, 33"MTs, 5:83s, LWB brakes, Winch, Snorkel, Safari Rack
1986 SJ413K PickUp, 1.6L conversion.

OBD1 - Full diagnostics on a PC/Laptop: http://www.rhinopower.org

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Offline jerryp58

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Re: Erratic idle only in cool weather
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2004, 02:34:07 PM »
Keith, did you ever check the vacuum?
Jerry
1990 Geo Tracker,  2-Door Hard Top
1.6L 8v, 4x4 Automatic, 0" lift

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Offline Mike71

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Re: Erratic idle only in cool weather
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2004, 03:22:11 PM »
maybe u have water in the gas tank??? or is it an everytime its cold it idles funny kinda deal
623hp kb cobra sold! 100hp kick new DD :P

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Offline keith

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Re: Erratic idle only in cool weather
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2004, 04:03:17 PM »

Quote
Keith, did you ever check the vacuum?


No, how do I go about checking the vacuum?


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Offline jerryp58

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Re: Erratic idle only in cool weather
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2004, 12:19:43 AM »
Quote


No, how do I go about checking the vacuum?



I haven't done it myself, but I think the manual shows hooking up a vacuum gauge/pump (maybe something you can borrow from a local auto parts store) to a couple of different vacuum lines and seeing what kind of vacuum you can draw & hold.

If you don't have access to a manual, I can try to scan the procedure from my '90 manual later.

I get the erratic idle occassionally too and this is something I've been wanting to do; it's just not at the top of my list yet ::)
Jerry
1990 Geo Tracker,  2-Door Hard Top
1.6L 8v, 4x4 Automatic, 0" lift