when i start it cold, the engine idles at 400rpm and then corrects itself and idles perfect at 800 rpm. When its at normal temp its idles at 900-1000rpm oscilating up and down 50rpm or so. It sounds like "rmRMrmRMrmRM" not a steady "ddddddd". How is it supposed to idle?

 

Should idle at 750rpm-sometimes my car fluctuates too (84 GSL-SE), it's a TPS problem. There are threads on how to make the tool to correct it.

 

usually on a cold start, the engine should idle in upwards of 2500rpm. mine did at least and it would gradually fall to a solid 750rpm. a little fluctuation is normal.

 

This is the best doc on adjusting SE idle ive seen. Its explains the entire system and the order you should go in to identify and correct most idle problems. I probably wouldnt mess with any adjustments until you at least check all your vaccum hoses for leaks though.

http://www.nellump.net/peri/epi/firs...gslseIdle.html

 

When you 1st start a Se cold you are supposed to depress the pedal down to the floor once. This is to position the fast idle cam. During warm up it should slowly return back to idle. The vasilating idle is usually due to the Tps being out of adjustment. Follow the procedure to test and set then see how it is. Also check to make sure the linkage is not binding not allowing the throttle to return to the full rest position.

 

Ok,so the pedal is depressed to the floor before you start the car or immediately after it starts? Sounds like a dumb question but I want to be completely sure.
My car is in the body shop, the motor is stock. It is started on occassions to be moved. Upon startup, it revs to about 3000 RPMs until it warms up then goes to a fairly steady idle at about 8-900 RPM.I don't think the high rev is normal and may lead to other serious problems.I checked the linkage and it did not seem to be binding.I have done a lot of reading on Se idling problems but maybe not enough yet since I haven't seen much about this certain problem. Could this maybe be an easy fix or should I keep reading and go through the throttle body,etc. cleaning prcedures?Thanks for the help in advance!

 

You depress the pedal before you start the engine. The idle you are describing is normal.
Don't touch anything on it. When you do, that is when you will have problems.

You've heard of the saying. "Don't fix it if it's not broken".It's especially true for the SE. :-)

 

I have a weber setup with mild streetport. So I dont think I would be any help. mine idles about 1100 rpm's and sounds like purm purm purm. and shoots mad fire yo............

 

good thread, ill be using it for my issue.

 

The only time the pedal should ever be depressed before starting is when it is really cold outside. And to the best of my knowledge the car should idle at 800-850 rpms. Even in the coldest weather, I never had to touch the gas pedal--and I'm talking 0 degrees. Personally, I do not like the factory fast idle adjustment--I think it is too high. I have mine so that it fast idles between 15--1800 rpm (depending on temp). If everything is working correctly and the car is tuned up well, it should return to a steady and smooth idle after warm up.

Mike

 

I grew up learning you never hit the pedal before starting an FI car. Ever. the sensors are all supposed to take care of it. But maybe thats not true on the older 84 FI cars

 

Not necessarily true. There are many cars that will tell you in the owners manual to depress the accelerator once before starting. But the only time you are supposed to do this is when the temperature drops below a certain degree---varies from car to car.

Mike

 

take a look under your hood while your car is cold and find your fast idle cam. open the throttle wide open and see the "cam" slide under the throttle and prop it up to bump up the idle while cold. once warm, the wax pellet melts and causes the cam to drop down. done deal, and it will idle around 2500rpm untill it warms up.