i installed a after market stereo/radio(whatever its called) and ever since i did that the battery light has come on. then i noticed that the car started to idle weird. it usually sits at 800, but once i put that radio in and i start the car it idles at 800 and then drops to about 400 and goes up and then down until i give it some gas and then it sits back at 800 no problems.

 

Have you checked to see what kind of voltage your alternator is putting out? Also maybe you should get power for the stereo at another source or are you using the factory radio harness? If you don't have sufficient voltage in your charging system your ECU can act up, causing those idling problems.
Johnny

 

i will check that today. also i noticed a smell of gasoline from the exhuast any ideas on this? maybe vacuum hose? . some friends of mine who work on cars(non rotary) say my idling problem might be a timing issue or something. but i will check the voltage on the altenator. thanks!

 

What is the year of your car?

Unplug the stereo and see if the problem remains. Exactly what kind of wiring was done with the stereo install? Did you run wires from the battery or do any engine bay work at all?

 

its an 86 GXl non turbo

yeah i did that i unplugged it and its still idling funny. i just used a wiring harness for the installation. no i didnt run any wires or do any engine bay work. the battery is at normal voltage and the battery light isnt on. it could just be what the previous guy said about the altenator. also when it idles funny i can smell gasoline from the exhaust. but only when it idles funny. any ideas?

 

bump

im working on this problem for him
this problem only seems to exist on cold starts the most.
thinking the tps might be freaking out in a certain range before the wax opens fully
could also be getting some unmeasured air in somewhere?


any other suggestions?

 

You can check the TPS for issues with an analog ohmmeter or an oscilloscope. Just run the TPS through it's range and check the meter/scope for spikes.

 

refc did some tests with the voltmeter and checked out things he thought could be it, but everything tested out fine and in range.