Idle Problems!

Glad to hear your problem has been resolved...question..how much does a thermistor cost??? And about how are they going to.charhe you for instillation???

Installation

dboydakid wrote:

Glad to hear your problem has been resolved...question..how much does a thermistor cost??? And about how are they going to.charhe you for instillation???

The thermistor is $27.00 from the dealership and my husband will install it. I wish that was the first thing we looked at before we bought a battery and the first alternator. The 2nd alternator was also overcharging until we disconnected the thermistor. My husband said we needed the new battery and alternator anyway. He said he could hear a bad bearing in the alternator when he spun it. My battery was hot and looked like it was about to blow up. So I guess it all worked out in the end.
I am still having occasional starting problems, but that another issue. I am very grateful for this forum. We have learned a lot....like what a thermistor is

O ok..i have no idea what a thermistor is ..but I am going to replace mine just because now lol...was or is it a easy install???

Thermistor tells the alternator how hot the battery is, so it can use the correct charge voltage. If your car's voltage is reading 13.5-15 volts running, there's no need to replace the thermistor. You'd just be throwing your money away.

In Katrina's case, it appears her thermistor was giving an incorrect reading, causing the alternator to overcharge the system, leading to all sorts of problems. Glad you figured it out.

Usually, (at least in my case) when the PCM detects high voltage, it throws a DTC code (SES lamp) indicating there is a problem.

Oh ok..thnx

Didn't do the Crank Sensor yet but did a new PCV. Started her up and SES light went on! I was happy that something finally popped up! Shut her down for a few minutes and now NO LIGHT! Will this be in the memory of the Computer or do I really have a ghost in the machine?

Any time the SES light goes on, it stores a code in the PCM memory

Correct, and the SES lamp is programmed to light up only if the PCM detects a code after a certain number of trips. Sometimes it's 1 trip, sometimes 2, sometimes 3 depending on the nature of the code. Also, the SES is programmed to turn itself off if not code is detected after 1, 2, or 3 trips, again depending on severity of the code.

So there is a ghost in the machine - it's a friendly ghost, trying to let you know when a problem is intermittent, constant, or no longer existent!

Thanks guys! Ran her all day after cleaning the MAF sensor and no problems at all! Almost can't believe it! It was always bucking and cutting out after it warmed up.

Just found out that the *&*$&^&^(#@&^@ who was supposed to have replaced my MAF Sensor only cleaned it! Gave it a second cleaning yesterday. It ran all day with no problems! Started it up today and ran like like crap after it warmed up. No codes yet! Wondering?

Unless you can see the MAF sensor is visibly coated with something, there's no way it's getting dirty that quickly. The cleaning is not making a difference. It's clean. Even if it turns out the MAF is at fault, at least we know it's clean. Move on.

Something is causing your engine to run badly once it warms up. Do you know there are no codes? Or do you only know there is no SES lamp?

Hey Aaron,
I know two days ago she lit up and popped a code but then went off the next start. I know that most everything will light that sucker up if something is wrong!

Need to take the car in and get the codes read. The ghost in the machine has something to tell you.

Taking it in soon! $90 an hour is cutting me short for diagnostic!

AutoZone = $0/hr.

rivparadise wrote:

Just found out that the *&*$&^&^(#@&^@ who was supposed to have replaced my MAF Sensor only cleaned it! Gave it a second cleaning yesterday. It ran all day with no problems! Started it up today and ran like like crap after it warmed up. No codes yet! Wondering?

What is your air filter? an oiled K&N by any chance?

Albert

Naw, bought the cheaper one about 6 months ago. Haven't checked but will tonight.

Went to Auto Zone. Spent half an hour with the scanner and couldn't find anything! No stored codes.

rivparadise wrote:

Didn't do the Crank Sensor yet but did a new PCV. Started her up and SES light went on! I was happy that something finally popped up! Shut her down for a few minutes and now NO LIGHT! Will this be in the memory of the Computer or do I really have a ghost in the machine?

reading back through your posts I would be looking to read stored codes. I know the AZ reader did not find any. You might need to find a different reader but most likely just find a different tech who can read stored codes.

When you find the stored codes, post them and we'll take it from there. No sense guessing, guessing at intermittent faults isn't usually cost effective.

Albertj

What year is your vehicle, Samuel?

1998, 160k, gutted airbox and no other mods to engine. There was an idle issue only before I got my LIM done. It would idle like crap but could get it going and no cutting out or bucking. After that was done it began to cut out. At first I thought it was my TCC. Took it to tranny shop and no problems were found. That's when I took it to a Speed Shop in town that's very reputable. After mucho $, All I got from them was no problem with tranny. They said there was a misfire in the engine. I felt like telling them, NO SHIT! I knew that! LIM was done by excellent mechanic. I was there watching him for most of the job. Didn't see any hanky-panky. Very thorough.

After all the parts and time I have put in to this car, I feel like it might just be something stupid!

rivparadise wrote:

1998, 160k, gutted airbox and no other mods to engine. There was an idle issue only before I got my LIM done. It would idle like crap but could get it going and no cutting out or bucking. After that was done it began to cut out. At first I thought it was my TCC. Took it to tranny shop and no problems were found. That's when I took it to a Speed Shop in town that's very reputable. After mucho $, All I got from them was no problem with tranny. They said there was a misfire in the engine. I felt like telling them, NO SHIT! I knew that! LIM was done by excellent mechanic. I was there watching him for most of the job. Didn't see any hanky-panky. Very thorough.

After all the parts and time I have put in to this car, I feel like it might just be something stupid!

check the vacuum harnesses... on a '98 the fittings are old and hard and will be leaky even though they *look( good.

Albertj