[Mk2] [Turbo] Funny Idle problem

[Draven]

Well i didn't know wether to stick this in Electrical or Mechanical as its a bit of both...

When the car is warm. it ticks over at like 400 rpm and seems to run very rough..

If i switch the lights on or any electric items like rear window heater it rises up to about 800 and purrs like a kitten..

800 rpm to me sound perfect tick over..

Is this a problem with the electrics or the engine. ?

[-o<

[skipp123]

yeah sounds right to me mine does the same when lights go on

[Draven]

yeah sounds right to me mine does the same when lights go on

Surely it should run higher revs 400 rpm just seems really low and it runs badly

[dawolf]

No it's not normal to idle at 400rpm, should be around 800-1000rpm. Not sure what's causing that problem.

[Sidewinder]

What's it like when starting up from cold?

[skipp123]

no i meant when i turn the lights on the car revs harder soz for confusion

[Draven]

From cold about 1200 rpm which is fine.. After a long drive and she is warm pull up to some traffic lights she is warm and ticking over at 400 rpm missing and generally running badly..

Switch the lights/rear window heater on and the revs rise to 800 and sits there perfectly... car sounds fine..


I just don't get it.. can't figure out if its electrical or engine related..

MOT in a few days..

[2Crooky]

When were your iggy components last looked at????

Revs should rise a little when electrics etc are operated but 400rpm does seem a little low!

Does it cough or splutter like the spark is very weak and only just keeping the engine running?

[liamc]

I'd start by looking for a poor earthing connection somewhere- thats often worth checking.

have you got a multimeter? Next would be to check what voltage is shown at the battery when the engine is warmed up and running at 400rpm, then check voltage when you switch lights on.

It may be the regulator/rectifier not producing 12-14 volts of dc from the alternators output.
If its between 12 and 14volts, I'd next be looking at the alternators output - although not sure how to, or what it should be on a 2.

Let us know what you find?

[jrleech]

Howdy... like what you've done with the car, the wheels really suit it.

It might just be the idle speed needs bringing up (on the Mk1 you just turn a screw, not sure how you do it on the Mk2). Usually you warm up the engine, turn off all the electrics and then set the idle speed. I'd have said 800pm was too low with major electrics on, so if you tweek the base idle back to 750-800, then it'll move the load idle up a similar amount.

Did you ever get round to fitting the boost gauge in the dash?

Jon

[Draven]

Howdy... like what you've done with the car, the wheels really suit it.

It might just be the idle speed needs bringing up (on the Mk1 you just turn a screw, not sure how you do it on the Mk2). Usually you warm up the engine, turn off all the electrics and then set the idle speed. I'd have said 800pm was too low with major electrics on, so if you tweek the base idle back to 750-800, then it'll move the load idle up a similar amount.

Did you ever get round to fitting the boost gauge in the dash?

Jon

No i never did i have a SBC controller now. and have fitted it in the second din of the double din under me head unit. Found out what the boosting problems were and everything. She now boosts fully on the same turbo.

I'll see about raising the idle.. the end of this month i'll be taking her over to rogue to have some Tien superstreets fitted.

The knocking problems are a mixture of the topmounts and the droplinks. which will both be replaced with the coilovers.

Just need to fix the suspension and get it tracked up and all the wheels aligned and my body kit fitted.

[jrleech]

Glad you got the boost problems sorted... the turbo felt strong, so I was pretty sure it was OK.

Really annoyed about the suspension (not as annoyed as you I'm sure).. Japanese Direct Imports and Dai Motors royally screwed up there, they swapped it before it left Japan, and then JDI swapped it in the UK as they said the stuff Dai Motors fitted was wrong. Certainly won't be buying from or recommending them again.

Should be sweet with coilovers on, especially with those wheels

If you're not using that Blitz boost gauge, can I buy it off you? Name a price......

Thanks,
Jon