Variable Resistor....
 

As you might know I am relatively new to the topic of rotaries and realize that the curve is pretty steep.....especially for a carpenter.. but we were just out in the garage trying to figure out why the car is idling so rough... we just changed out the plugs, oil and checked the timing and TPS setting.

I was looking at all the vacuum lines and plugs to make sure one of the connections wasnt making contact or there was a vacuum leak and didnt find anything..but I came across a little switch like thing that is listed in the manual as being a variable resistor and I decided to play with it a little .....turning it from side to side with a flat blade screw driver.....and viola......the idle smoothed out.....but here is my question........What does this resistor control......I couldnt find any reference to the adjustment of this in the manual ..so I came here to ask the experts.....hopefully you can help....

thanks to all
Tim.

Congrats on a nice car! What's that, an 87 sport? Nice :)

Anyway, the screw you found was the "idle mixture" screw. It adjusts how much gas the engine's fed at idle. Too much, and it idles rough. Too little, and it idles rough. Just right, and... well... you know :)

Congrats!

Brandon

It is in the manual in the fuel section. Guaranteed. Factory manual that is free online. EDIT: I forgot to mention that it is only effective at idle. Does not affect a darn thing any other time. Only idle. Don't you wish it was effective thru the whole range. Dream on.

Thanks for the vote of confidence....but I must tell you I dont get to cruise much in it as it is mostly my 18 year old son that has the KEYS........now is that fair......

You call that an idle mixture adjustment.....hmmms I thought that was on the top of the throttle body which we adjusted that one during the TPS check....

well what ever it is.......it sure worked like magic... the car just purred and didnt buck one little bit......

let me show you my other ride:
http://home.westman.wave.ca/~tgdc/smallcar.jpg


Tim

Thanks Hailers........ I just found the reference you spoke of.........I thought it had something to do with the electrical or vacuum ........and was looking at the wrong section found it in the fuel 4A-77

I believe I just learned a little today....

Thanks
Tim.

Where is this resistor? I've got an 86 non-turbo. Do I have this resistor? It sounds like it would solve some of my problems.

On the right side of the engine compartment near the air filter box but closer to the wheel well. It might be hiding under a blind nut and right beside a little rectangular box marked Pressure Sensor. From the look in the manual this is not supposed to be adjusted unless you have just installed a new one...but it sure worked for me. Normally it might be epoxy'ed over so you might not be able to see the screw. Someone must of been messing with the one on this 7 for it was clearly visible and it sure smoothed things out.

hope this helps
Tim.