high idle, runs fine. low idle, misfire

Supraman1313

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Mar 23, 2008
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I have an '87 supra na, 5spd, with only a k&n cold air intake mod. The car has a high idle (about 1800rpm) and it doesn't matter how long the car runs, it will idle at 1800. I adjusted the idle down to 1500 and it sounded good but when I got to 1000rpm it sounded like it was misfiring. What could cause this if I have no problems at rpms over 1500?

I haven't had the chance to do general maintenance to the car yet. I just picked it up two weeks ago. I want to change the oil, plugs, wires, rotor and cap...etc. Change all the fluids and other general stuff. But in the mean time, what is causing this misfire?

Thanks in advanced,
Larry
 

AJ'S 88NA

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Jul 26, 2007
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Supraman1313;973814 said:
I have an '87 supra na, 5spd, with only a k&n cold air intake mod. The car has a high idle (about 1800rpm) and it doesn't matter how long the car runs, it will idle at 1800. I adjusted the idle down to 1500 and it sounded good but when I got to 1000rpm it sounded like it was misfiring. What could cause this if I have no problems at rpms over 1500?

I haven't had the chance to do general maintenance to the car yet. I just picked it up two weeks ago. I want to change the oil, plugs, wires, rotor and cap...etc. Change all the fluids and other general stuff. But in the mean time, what is causing this misfire?

Thanks in advanced,
Larry
How did you adjust the idle? It's controlled by the ECU.

Checked for codes? There are several things that can cause high idle from vac leak to bad temp sensor, ISC, etc.

Check the TSRM
 

AJ'S 88NA

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Supraman1313;973865 said:
I don't have a TSRM, haha. I simply adjusted the idle speed screw right at the throttle plate. I haven't checked for codes nor have a way to do so just yet.

That's not a idle screw. The TSRM is here on line. It will also tell you how to check for codes, so you do have the way to check them as long as you have a paper clip or piece of wire.
 

Supraman1313

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Mar 23, 2008
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AJ'S 88NA;973921 said:
That's not a idle screw. The TSRM is here on line. It will also tell you how to check for codes, so you do have the way to check them as long as you have a paper clip or piece of wire.


Where can I find the TSRM that you speak of? And thanks for the info.
 

Supraman1313

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Mar 23, 2008
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my buddy (who we call "master mechanic") told me it's most likely a vaccum line. So I'm going to break out the brake clean tonight and see what the problem is.
 

AJ'S 88NA

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Supraman1313;973865 said:
I don't have a TSRM, haha. I simply adjusted the idle speed screw right at the throttle plate. I haven't checked for codes nor have a way to do so just yet.
There is no idle adjustment for the GE. It's controlled by the ECU. What ever screw you adjusted, I think I know which one, you need to put it back were it was. If it's the little screw down at the base of the TB, that has to be adjusted right or your TPS is going to be wrong.
 

supraman508

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Sep 19, 2007
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Supraman1313;976295 said:
my buddy (who we call "master mechanic") told me it's most likely a vaccum line. So I'm going to break out the brake clean tonight and see what the problem is.
speaking of vaccum.i have this hissing sound near my E.G.R vacum modulator.could that also mean my modulator is gone BAD.:eek3:panic,l.o.l
 

Supraman1313

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Mar 23, 2008
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ok, i changed my engine oil and tranny oil with royal purple brand, shifter bushing, spark plugs (ngk), wires, cap, and rotor. and yet no change with idle and sputter at idle. the old spark plugs looked like its running rich. the car runs great above 2000rpms but now idles at 1500rpms. i have two wise mechanics telling me its my cold start injector failing, which could make it stick open spraying fuel. is there anyother wise mechanics out there who can add some input. knowledgeable people only, please.
thanks,
larry
 

KongGMC

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Nov 26, 2007
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You've actually got 6 injectors on there. Not a primary and secondary which I think is what you're talking about(like on the older TBI chevys). Not sure what is causing your problem but I have the exact same car which had the exact same problem. I had a blown head gasket so I tore it down and I have found OODLES of problems. Nearly clogged fuel rail, mostly clogged EGR ports in the intake manifold, slightly stretched timing belt, etc, etc. I would try set the "idle screw" you speak of back where it was like the other guys are saying, then get a timing light on that thing. When I first got my car the timing was adjusted to something like 30-35* before TDC instead of 10* where it should be. This helps to mask the missfire at idle problem and was also helping to restore quite a bit of lost power due to whatever actual problem causes this. Good luck with it..... God knows I need help with mine, LOL!
 

Supraman1313

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Mar 23, 2008
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actually there is a cold start injector along with the six injectors. it sprays fuel when the engine is cold and if it fails it could cause it to stick open giving me a higher idle. speaking of being higher, anyway, thanks for the input
 

KongGMC

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Nov 26, 2007
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Oh... could you tell me where I might find it cause I have my engine torn down to just the block and bottom end internals and I can't find it mine. ;P
 

AJ'S 88NA

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KongGMC;1003254 said:
Oh... could you tell me where I might find it cause I have my engine torn down to just the block and bottom end internals and I can't find it mine. ;P
It's mounted on the intake and has a fuel line going to it. You can check it with a ohmmeter, suppose to read 2-4 ohms.
 

KongGMC

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Nov 26, 2007
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Could you possibly show me a pic of it? I seriously have my whole intake torn apart on a bench and have not seen this.
 

AJ'S 88NA

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KongGMC;1003268 said:
Could you possibly show me a pic of it? I seriously have my whole intake torn apart on a bench and have not seen this.
TSRM, EFI system, Cold Start Injector. A link to the TSRM is in the stickies at the top of the GE tech discussion page don't you know:)
 

Supraman1313

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Mar 23, 2008
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ok, so i checked the resistance of the cold start injector and i got 3.5 ohms, so that's good.
so then I checked my engine trouble codes. I got 21 (oxygen sensor signal) and 51 (air conditioner switch or neutral start switch signal).

I'm gunna pick up a new O2 sensor later this week and see if that solves the problem.

Anyone know what to do about code 51??

Thanks,
Larry