my car's idling LOW!... could it be my system?

[playa1 10+ year member]

might be the fuel injection...My pigtails were all corroded an dmade my engine idle weird.

 

[InhumanAcura 5,000+ posts]

I suggest putting a fluke on the ICS and seeing if its putting out signal. Its not going to be anything fuel related IMO, i cant really pinpoint it without looking and seeing the problem. You connecting and disconnecting the battery isnt going to have anything to do with it. The only car or truck ive ever seen to have a problem with that, is anything with the LS1

 

[allyourblood 10+ year member]

well, yeah, my original question was really to determine if my sound system's load on the alternator had anything to do with it, despite how asinine that sounds. either way, i can't fiddle with her (at least, not in-depth) until this weekend, when i can take over my dad's garage. this "fluke the ICS" thing is intriguing me though. we shall soon see.

abe m.

 

[nosaj070 10+ year member]

Well I have the same problem, though it doens't always idle that low. If i use power windows rpms drop significantly, same with when there are substantial bas hits. So i feel its mostly do to the alternator in the car. It is relatively simple to adjust the idle speed which I will probably do in a few weeks. My car shakes like hell when rpms drop too. Once i find my Hayes manual i'll let you know how to do it.

 

[allyourblood 10+ year member]

you're a pal, Jason! my wife has been hounding me to just go and buy the big daddy (Helm guide), but its so freaking expensive! pass the info along, for sure, if you can.

abe m.

 

[sumone 10+ year member]

sorry for being a newb, but why is it bad if you're idling low? to me I see that as advantageous - saving resources? yea but what do I know about cars...

 

[allyourblood 10+ year member]

sumone: i just mean that my car is idling so low, that it feels sometimes as if it's bordering on dying completely.

abe m.

 

[InhumanAcura 5,000+ posts]

Adjusting the idle is not the problem I assure you of that. If its running fine the majority of the time why would the idle control screw be backing itself in and out. What motor do you have?

nosa#'s your alternator is indeed the source of your problem, if idle is being manipulated by the power draw your alternator is working so hard the motor is struggling slowed by the alt.'s resistance. Idealy in your case if you cant afford the alt. a cap would help. Despite everyones disbelief in the usefullness of a cap you are in need of anything taking strain off your charging system. Realistically and in theory they have to work, it may be like getting stabbed and putting a butterfly bandaid on it, but anything will help.

 

[nosaj070 10+ year member]

I have the 127 hp, biggest engine in civics until the SI in 99-00. I am only running one SS Ref 604 currently with 4ga wire. I find it hard to believe it is completely hogging my alt. Lights don't dim at all or anything, tachometer just falls when i use electronics. I think it has mostly to do with that fact that my car is a budget rice burner. How would getting a bigger alt help anything? that would put more strain on the engine.

 

[InhumanAcura 5,000+ posts]

Okay your right, I dont know anything......

 

[allyourblood 10+ year member]

jeez, Inhuman, overreact much?

nosaj070: that sounds like what mine is doing, intermittently.

abe m.

 

[nosaj070 10+ year member]

Okay your right, I dont know anything......

I was in no way trying to insult you. I just said I don't understand how that would work. So an explanation would be nice.