1992 Plymouth Laser

1992 PLYMOUTH LASER
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ALANSS454
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Engine Performance problem
1992 Plymouth Laser 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

This car has a severe power loss.I have checked timing
marks,ok,checked exhaust,ok,turbo has plenty of boost,
no vac. leaks.When you adjust the cam timing the idle is
way to high,when you back the timing off you lose power,the idle up solenoid doesn't seem to change the idle when unhooked or hooked up.when it is hooked up
the idle goes up and down until you unplug it.What am
I missing here?
thanks,Alan
Sep 1, 2010 at 9:44 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Are you refering to the idle air control valve? If bad, that will cause the idle to be eratic.
Sep 1, 2010 at 10:23 PM
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ALANSS454
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I understand it will create a problem with idle but why does the car have no power,that is my real question?
Sep 2, 2010 at 6:53 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Have you checked to make sure the catalytic converter isn't plugging? As far as the IAC or TPS, they can cause the computer to change fuel / air mixtures.
Sep 2, 2010 at 8:57 AM
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ALANSS454
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I have unhooked the exhaust from the turbo and it
makes no difference.If you change the cam timing the
car has better power but then the idle is way to high.
the power band starts at about 3,000 rpm with the cam
timing moved but has no power when in the correct
setting.
Sep 2, 2010 at 9:14 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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When you change engine timing, what are you changing it to?
Sep 2, 2010 at 10:02 AM
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ALANSS454
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I move it to full advance so I can get power but when
I bring it back to specs it is a turd.
Sep 2, 2010 at 10:33 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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I can't remember if the 92 had a mechanical or vacuum advance. Can you tell if it is working?
Sep 2, 2010 at 11:23 AM
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ALANSS454
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It has an electrical plug going to the to the cover,when
unhooked the car shuts off.
Sep 2, 2010 at 11:34 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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It is done by the computer. I was hoping you didn't say that. Based on everything we discussed, either the distributor is bad or the ECM is not advancing the timing when needed.
Sep 2, 2010 at 12:53 PM
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ALANSS454
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This car has no distributor,I am changing only the cam
timing.
Sep 2, 2010 at 2:01 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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That is what I thought. If you are getting no advance from the computer, that is the direction I would go.
Sep 3, 2010 at 7:02 AM
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ALANSS454
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Why would that affect the idle ?
Sep 3, 2010 at 7:10 AM
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