High idle after start

[Roger Heflin]

>From my experience (it is limits), but the ign system going bad
(plugs, wires, or some other part) going bad will cause the idle
quality to be really bad.  In my car (93 Z) with an optispark
(odd computer controlled distributor, with extra sensors), when that
part died, when the AC came on the car died, sometimes just sitting at
a light or idling slowly through a parking light, the car would die, I
replaced it with a new iginiton system and it idles just fine now.
So, if you have not checked the ignition system, check it, check
mainly the plugs and wires since I think the saturn would not have a
distributor right?  It has coilpacks?  But check the wires and plugs,
if either of those is bad your idle won't be real good, I was dropping
cylinders on a V8 and that was bad enough, on engine with less
cylinders it would be a bigger problem.  And at least plugs are cheap,
the wires may be more expensive.

			Good Luck
			Roger

On Wed, 14 Oct 1998, Jemison Richard wrote:

> This is interesting to me as I have a Saturn that is screwing up (efi
> problems I believe) and the main symptom is very low idle.  I got IAC codes
> from the ECU and (being very new and obviously ignorant of these little
> critters) jumped out and bought another IAC.  Didn't do squat.  I've checked
> for vacuum leaks (spraying starting fluid all around the injectors, manifold
> plenum, vacuum lines, etc.  Nothing.  I believe this system is a MAP based
> system.
> 
> It runs great, accelerates and top ends best of all its range.  Coming to a
> stop it does OK until you fully stop and sit there a minute.  Then the idle
> drops down to 300 and the car dies shortly after.  I've tried increasing the
> idle by turning in the idle screw (1- 1.5 turns) - nothing.  More than that
> and it really starts running bad.  I can keep it running by holding my foot
> on the gas while holding the brake on with the car in gear.  But this causes
> the car to heat up very quickly.    Also, as it sits around 1000 rpms
> (running steady at first) the longer I have to sit at a light the more it
> starts jerking (like missing).  It is now starting to do this a bit during
> 50-60 cruise also.  Minor at these speeds but wasn't there a day or so ago.
> 
> As a side note (and I have no idea if this has anything to do with the
> problem) I'm losing water (not much but a little).  Could be going out the
> overflow from the heat ups.  Not sure.  I'm not leaking it.  That I do know.
> 
> Yea I could take it to a shop and get it fixed.  But if I'm going to try to
> modify one of these things I have to know how it works.  And I should be
> able to diagnose problems with it.  Otherwise how will I be able to tell
> what to change?  So, any help would be appreciated.
> 
> Rick J
>