Idle but no throttle

[argiopeweb]

Just finished getting everything put together from the clutch job (yep, took awhile). Engine starts awkwardly, idles beautifully, and dies horribly the moment you so much as think about the accelerator.

My uninformed guess was vacuum issues from when I had everything forward of the throttle body taken off, but (I think) I've checked all the appropriate places and have found nothing telling. Anyone run into this one before?

[mytrplseven]

The first time that happened to me it was the AFM plug not connected. It's got to be something basic. Perhaps the ref sensors are reversed or not calibrated. There's vacuum line t fitting under the j boot that is out of sight but causes major vacuum issues. I'd get a copy of Clarks Garage vacuum schematic and go one line at a time from one end to the other. Verify ref sensors are in right hole and proper gap. Verify the AFM plug is good and the TPS connector as well.

[gwrinkle]

Check your throttle position switch-it's just an on off switch and the adjustment is critical.It should activate when the throttle is barely moved,listen for the"click" when you open it by hand with the engine off.
Gary.
Oh yeah,make sure it's plugged in!

[argiopeweb]

+1 to you, mytrpleseven. First time in my life I've distinctly remembered not doing something. AFM plug fixed that. Now I just have to figure out why my battery is running at 12.5V (bad battery?), why my fans turning on makes my engine turn off (too small battery wire for the instantaneous startup amperage?), and why, when decelerating, my engine sticks at 2k rpm till I'm almost stopped, then slowly sinks to idle (yeah, no clue on that one; search says possibly vapor purge vaccum's reversed). Small list compared to two days ago.

[mytrplseven]

If your battery's staying at 12.5v, it's not getting a charge. With the engine running, a voltmeter on the battery terminals should show over 13volts. Check the belt tension on the alternator, voltage regulator or alternator defective (is the alternator turning) or electrical connections on the alternator or regulator. Also fuses in the charging circuit. How old is the battery? If it's over 4 years old, could be it's not up to the task either. Take the alternator to an autoparts store for a free check if the battery's ok.

[argiopeweb]

My trickle charger (which is relatively new and in good condition, therefore trusted) wouldn't charge the battery past 12.3 V, so I swapped it out for a new battery. Hopefully that fixes my issue, but I'll check the alternator and charging fuses.