Re: cold idle

["Ian Overholt" <ioverholt@hotmail.com>]

>From: "Corey Muscavitz" <skyrocco16v@prodigy.net>

>my idle on my 88 16v is rough when it idles cold, also.  BUT, the thing is,
>that when i start my car cold and don't touch the gas, as long as the rpms
>stay under 1600 or so, the low battery light comes on and it wil idle fine
>at about 900-1000 rpms.  then as soon as i burp the throtle enough to go
>over 1600 or so, then try to let it idle, it idles between a REALLY rough
>300 to 800, or possibly even die.  any ideas?  what's the deal with the low
>bat/alternator light being on?
>Any Ideas?
>~corey
>


When you start your car and the idle does not go above a certain RPM (which 
varies from car to car, mine is 1200 RPM), the alternator is not charging.  
I believe the purpose of this "feature" is to disengage the alternator 
during the starting process so that there is less load on the starter motor. 
  Once you start driving around, you pass that RPM threshold and the 
charging system begins to work.

Now, the low idle speed could be caused by several things.  The condition 
happens once the charging system is engaged, so that's a clue.  The 
alternator does present a load to the engine, but you wouldn't think that 
it's enough to drop the RPM THAT far.  I would check the idle stabilizer 
valve.  Do the electrical test described in the Bentley.  Also removing it 
and spraying it with carb cleaner might dislodge some gunk.  You can do a 
quick check on it by unplugging it and seeing if it makes any difference 
when the car is cold.  If it doesn't, then that's a sure sign it is not 
working.  The Bentley details how to check the valve and the system that 
controls it.  Maybe your battery is drawing a lot more current than it 
should be. That would present a large load on the alternator which would 
load down the engine and with the idle stabilizer valve not working, the 
idle drops.  How's that for a scenario?

Ian Overholt
'88 16v
'78 Champagne Edition

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