This car is killing me!! Need help

[1QuickCoupe]

My car has had problems for awhile now. It runs fine for a couple weeks, then suddenly dies, mainly when I stop. I have changed the fuel pump and filter, TPS, FPR, and it still dies. Still getting code 0411, but I think that it is irelevent to the problem.

This is the kid hauler, and I need for it to be reliable. Any ideas will be appreciated.

 

[SHOZ123]

When the car is off check the gap at the throttle plate stop. If there is a gap at closed throttle it needs to be eliminated.

To set the throttle plate gap to .02" then turn in a 1/2 turn. Do this with the engine off of course. Then disconnect the battery and let the car relearn idle.

 

[1QuickCoupe]

Thanks, I'll try that. Also, is there any possibility that there may be a problem with MAF?

 

[SHOZ123]

Did you try cleaning the MAF?

 

[1QuickCoupe]

I took the MAF apart, and gave it a good cleaning. Still having problems though. I hope that having the car re-learn the idle will fix it because I am the end of my rope. Is there any other ideas that may help?

I have a Factory Service Manual coming in the mail, maybe that will help?
Thanks

 

[SHOZ123]

Did you set the throttle stop gap?

What happens when you disconnect the IAC while the engine is warm and idling?

 

[1QuickCoupe]

Did you set the throttle stop gap?

QUOTE]

How do I go about setting it .02" to begin with? You mean the little bolt right? I am not the most mechanically inclined so more info would help. Thanks again

 

[SHOZ123]

QUOTE]

How do I go about setting it .02" to begin with? You mean the little bolt right? I am not the most mechanically inclined so more info would help. Thanks again[/QUOTE]

Well you need a feeler gage. But I doubt if you have one. You will also need a very small metric allen wrench.

I would suggest printing this thread out and take your car to someone who is mechanically inclined.

 

[1QuickCoupe]

I have all the above mentioned tools, just a point in the right direction would be helpful.

 

[PFA]

I haven't actually done it on these...but on throttle bodies...prob. the same. There is the little screw that a tab will fall on when the car is off,maybe at idle too. The screw is like a positive stop/idle control--usually. What is being suggested, from what I can read, is to have the flap/tab rest on the screw. Now, make it so that there is a .02 gap (assuming you know how to use the feeler gauge since you own it) between them and then turn it in the half turn after that.
Hope this helps out.

 

[1QuickCoupe]

Yes, that is helpful. That is what I thought, but I didn't want to be turning things that didn't need to be turned. The only way to learn is to do it. Thanks!

 

[PFA]

Hope it helps.

 

[1QuickCoupe]

I set the throttle stop gap, and when I unplugged the IAC, the car dropped to about 500 RPM and sputtered. Assuming that the IAC is not the problem, any more ideas? Thanks for the info!

 

[SHOZ123]

Unplugging the IAC should have made the car die.

Did you disconnect the battery too and let the car relearn idle?

 

[1QuickCoupe]

Yes, I disconnected the battery, when I hooked it back up and started the car, it idled at about 1500 for a few seconds, then went back down to around 1000. The car didn't die when the IAC was disconnected, the RPMs dropped to around 500 and it sputtered, but did not die.

 

[SHOZ123]

Well it definitely should die with a good working IAC. The IAC is either leaking or there is a vacuum leak. Idle speed should be 750-800 rpm.

 

[1QuickCoupe]

But would that cause the car to suddenly die?

 

[SHOZ123]

Maybe, if it were stuck open then suddenly tried to return to the idle position. At any rate it is acting faulty and should be addressed.

 

[1QuickCoupe]

I'll try that, thanks you've been a big help!

 

[1QuickCoupe]

Replaced the IAC, and still the car dies. If you do not cycle power, the car takes for ever to restart, and when it does, runs crappy until the power IS cycled. Is there a possibility that there is a problem with the PCM? Would bad coils cause a problem? Faulty cam sensor, or any sensor? Do I need to drive around with my scanner hooked to it and wait for it to die, and hopefully it will throw a code that is not currently being stored?