My idle just a couple of days ago was at about 900-1000 with a 18 vacuum. And over the last few hundred miles, I can hardly hold a steady idle. It will drop all the way to th thick white line at the bottom. And it will shake and really wanna die unless I give it gas. What should I do? I am gonna get new plugs soon, what else should I check for? This may have already been discussed but I had no idea what to words to use for the search engine.. Thanks..

 

It could be a few things. If the idle is just low and not "hunting" it may be your smog pump is either dead or was unplugged. The smog pump provides secondary air injection and if its dead you will have to crank up the idle to compensate. You can always unplug the pump while the car is running and see if you notice an immediate change in idle. The idle should go down if you unplug a working smog pump. It could be other things but it sounds most like the smog pump from the little info you gave.

 

I fixed my buddy's auto. He was idling at 600rpms. It was in the manual. You take off the elbow and there is a screw at the bottom/right. You'll need a flashlight to see it. Turn it closed (to the right). Put the peices back on and test the idle. If it's still off then there is a screw in between the UIM and elbow towards the front of the car. Not sure what the peice is called. You have to onlock it with a 8mm wrench. Turn the nut loosse, then you can adjust the screw. do this while the car is on, adjust the idle then close.

 

You don't need to take off the elbow to adjust the air screw.

 

maybe the injectors are clogged? throw some injector cleaner in there

maybe you hurt an apex seal?
you can adjust your idle to be higher for a temp fix so it doesn't stall on ya

 

Check the boost sensor..It is a small black box the size of a matchbook with a hose going to it. It is located in front of the driver side under the hood on the firewall, make sure it is plugged in.

 

Well, I think it may be the smog pump. I unplugged it, so I am guessing it is that. I will go raise the idle, and see what that does. I doubt it is a hurt apex seal, the car is pulling way to strong for it to be that. Thanks!

 

your idle will still be rough. When you diconeect the air pump, the car runs richer so you need to lean out your fuel system via standalone or fuel comp.........