I am a new FD owner and am experiencing an unstable idle. When I put my car in reverse and don't rev it up high, the car dies when I push the brake and shift to first gear. Also, if I make a hard stop the car will also die. Sometimes when I am sitting at a stop light the car will idle at around 800 rpm (I think that's normal) but it keeps dropping. What can I do to make the idle more stable? I have just installed a Fluidyne radiator and a friend advised me that since my water pump is running harder I need to adjust my idle to somewhere around 1000 rpm to be safe. Your advice is greatly appreciated!

 

does the car have an airpump still? no airpump can cause a funky idle. if you do have the airpump and also the main catalytic converter, when was the last time you checked to see if the cat is clogged? I think that can cause wierd things to happen.

 

I have a downpipe but I haven't installed it yet. Could this be the problem?

 

Does it make a difference if the cluch is pressed or released?

 

when you put on your dp check to see if the pre-cat was clogged. then check the main cat. if after putting it on this still doesn't even out the idle, check to see if your map sensor(black box up against firewall on driver's side) is okay. make sure the vacuum line underneath it is hooked up properly. i don't think there is a need to "adjust your idle." nick

 

I've tightened the throttle cable on SEVERAL FD's and fixed the same exact problems. You can go the other route and clean your EGR, change your TPS, all that good ****... I know the throttle may just "mask" the real problem, but makes driving much easier, and saves your poor starter. You should check all the other possible problem areas, but this was an IMMIDATE fix for at lease 4 FD's now..

 

toecutter: This problem happens mainly when the clutch is released.

nmo93: I'll check the map sensor later today.

jdhuegel1: The EGR valve has been changed twice on the car from the service records from the previous owner. What is TPS? I'm pretty sure that increasing the idle will help the time being, but I would like to get to the root of the problem if possible.

 

May be the air pump...

 

Do a search on clutch switch.
Its easy to check and easy to fix.

 

Thanks toecutter! I did the search and the symptoms of a bad clutch switch is exactly what I am experiencing. Does anyone know how to install one or know of a resource that shows the installation process? I am going to the dealership to try and order one today.

 

I was looking at some of the links from the threads and is 18-660B the right part # for the clutch switch? My guess was on page 58 of the parts catalog from this link:

http://www.abcpages.com/%7Emazda/RX7...%20CHASSIS.pdf

 

Its located under the dash above the clutch pedal.
There are 2 switches, just unscrew the one that releases when the pedal is pressed.

Its usually the spring inside that breaks.

I fixed mine with the spring from a ball point pen.
Call me lazy but it was one less trip to the dealer.