Cascade Crew

Red Bird

hey guys, my girlfriend has a 91 galant, and when its cold out the car barley idles u have to stay on the gas, to keep it running. when u first put it in gear to back out it dies, when u put it in drive it dies (auto tranny), u have to keep the revs up while switching gears to keep it running. when it warms up its fine,
but it still idles a bit on the low side. im thinking the timing needs a bump.,but im not postitive. when i start my corolla when its cold, it'll idle high till it warms up, thats what this car is not doing. any other suggestions of things to check would be most appreciated.

cameron7710 · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:16 pm Post subject:

my bros honda has the same problem.so ima watch this thread

GREG DAVIDSON · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:33 pm Post subject:

i'd say check the map sensor but theres alot more people with better smarts than me but thats my guess either map or egr

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:37 pm Post subject:

IAC might be getting to cold and not withdrawing to the proper position.

Dewey316 · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:37 pm Post subject:

I would look at the temp sensors...if the motor doesn't know it is cold...it doesn't know what to do.

I would also check the IAC and make sure it is functioning, and just from random, your alternator belt isn't slipping when its cold is it? What is the voltage reading when it is idling cold?

Red Bird · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:44 pm Post subject:

haven had a chance to check the voltage, im not sure if its the alternator belt, but id does squeal like a stuck pig when you rev it, till it warms up.

Red Bird · Posted: Sat Dec 20, 2008 9:18 pm Post subject:

you think it might be an alternator problem?

Boostd1 · Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:54 pm Post subject:

Sounds like the engine coolant temperature sensor might be going bad...

The PCM uses the reading from the ECT sensor to determine fuel delivery. A really cold start up will demand alot of fuel, and if the sensor is going bad, then the fuel supply isn't want the motor needs to start, therefore dying.

izcain · Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:53 pm Post subject:

usually in most cases if a coolant sensor is going bad it will run rich all the time not just when cold. I would suspect something like iac or something along those lines. Best thing to do is scan it. Beings it is only when it is cold it should be in closed loop when starting cold this should isolate some of the sensors since the pcm doesnt react to them until it is in open loop

First things first! SCAN IT! LoL that should take care of a lot of questions on the sensors!

Boostd1 · Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 10:06 pm Post subject:

Yea thats true...didn't really think about that.

Dewey316 · Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 10:40 pm Post subject:

If it is the IAC scanning it may not tell you anything. It will only tell you what the ECM is commanding IAC to do, not what the IAC is actualy doing. But, scanning it is a good idea, to make sure all the other sensors are reading in spec.

I would also check the voltage too, if your alternator belt is slipping, and not giving enough voltage, and your battery isn't great, the voltage drop might be enough to cuase it to stumble. Maybe...