Cold Start idle setting

[StayGold808]

Hi,

On a carrera 3.2, how do i set the idle for when the car starts cold? Is there a screw which you can adjust it with?, or is it more complicated and to do with the fuel injection? or the AFM?

Thanks

[BReyes]

What is it doing?

[StayGold808]

When the car is started cold, the idle is too low, and it stalls. however if i apply some accelerator, i can sort of "make" it idle, and then drive. When the car warms up, it idles fine.

[StayGold808]

wow.. this is the first time this forum hasn't been able to help me....

[ZOA NOM]

There is a small yellow cap on the idle screw just below the throttle body. It should be plainly visible from directly behind the car. I'll take a picture and post it in a minute...

[ZOA NOM]

A deep 7mm socket will fit over the yellow cap.





There is a procedure for adjusting the idle. You place a jumper between these terminals and adjust the idle screw for 800 RPM. If adjusted correctly, you should hear no difference in RPM when the jumper is removed.

[DonMo]

I would look for vacuum leaks too. They don't just idle down for nothing and 3.2's intakes have a tendency to pull that gasket in if not tight enough. Get some fuel injector cleaner from you local parts store and spray around the base of the intake. Be carefull around the air intake. If you want to see what you are looking for, spray a little into the air intake and the idle will increase. Vacuum leak causes the idle to decrease.

[StayGold808]

Okay thanks alot!

I'll check all of these.

So there is or isn't a separate idle setting for a cold start?

[ZOA NOM]

No separate setting. The DME controls the idle, and will ignore the O2 sensor for the first minute or so until the motor warms up a bit.

[StayGold808]

so if it idles fine when warm, could the idle setting not be the problem?

[mjshira]

I would be careful in messing with that, the DME should be able to handle the adjustment between cold and warm.

[ZOA NOM]

The idle adjustment will affect both cold and warm idle. If your car is idling normally when warm, then I would look at your Idle Control Valve (ICV), which will vary the engine speed based on a varying signal from the DME. During warm-up, the DME sends a programmed signal to the Valve, and ignores the O2 Sensor. Once warm, the O2 sensor signal will cause the DME to vary the reference to the ICV.

[StayGold808]

OK, so where is the ICV located?

[DonMo]

Check the first picuture above, the component right below the idle adjustment screw is the ICV, it has an electrical connection on the left and two black hoses into it top and bottom. I would take it off and clean it with fuel injection or carb cleaner (inside). It should rattle easily when shaken.

[ZOA NOM]

Red arrow is the ICV valve. It can get gunked up and not operate smoothly. Shoot some carb cleaner into the valve and work it back and forth. Also, it should hum slightly when the motor is off and the ignition key is turned on.

[StayGold808]

alright.. will do!

Thanks alot