1988 Plymouth Sundance, Idle problems.

1988 PLYMOUTH
Avatar
ESGAROTH
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
My car has been having trouble keeping a smooth idle. The car will start and then die immediately. If I hold down the gas for a few seconds and let go it will idle smoothly and I can drive it just fine. Sounds like the idle air control motor right? I get an error code confirming this so I took out the iac motor to see what would happen. The car should idle at about 3000 rpm. It doesnt. It gets to about 2000 rpm and idles erratically. After a few seconds it smoothes itself out and goes up to 3000 rpm and then dies. After this I get a code for the map sensor. This seems normal as with such an extreme vacuum leak it should tell me that something is wrong. Car has a new fuel pump and filter. Fuel pressure is fine at 14.5 psi. Compression is 135+ in all 4 cylinders. All 4 plugs are getting spark. I noticed that the brand new spark plugs I put in were covered with carbon (rich mixture?) so I changed the oxygen sensor. Fuel injector seems to be running smoothly as far as I can tell. Any other ideas?
Jan 23, 2006 at 5:53 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,240 POSTS
Hi:
Chances are there is a vacuum leak that you heven't found yet. Make sure there isn't a leak near the intake. Also, check the lines around the intake.

Let me know what you find. Just FYI, the idle should be around 900 RPM's.
Mar 20, 2009 at 3:30 AM
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.
Ask a Free Question
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.