my daily driver has had this irratic idle since i bought the car about a year ago and i cant figure out what it is... it doesnt sound like the typical sewing machine engine that my others have.. so far i've replaced plugs, cap, rotor, O2 sensor, flame trap, fuel filter, in tank pump, sending unit, belts...i've used fuel injector cleaner about every 3 months or so and i use mid-grade gasoline. The oil and filter were just changed this week as well. the catalytic converter went bad this past winter and i had it completely removed and replaced with a straight pipe (those things aren't required in indiana)..sooo i'm kinda stumped. would this problem be the dreaded AMM could the plug wires or coil even be a problem? any ideas?? Thanks in advance!

i had a idle problem on my 86. is your situation a lopey idle? is the motor missing?

Here's some basic things to look at first for an eratic idle (+ or - 50 rpm):

CIS Motor/Air Control Valve faulty or sticks. Big reason for bad idle.
Air leakage - check all hoses for leaks, especially big intake duct to Throttle body.
Temperature sensor bad.
Throttle butterfly misadjusted or sticking.
ECU bad.
Throttle switch incorrctly adjusted.
Igniton timing incorrect.
CO adjustment incorrect.
Check FPR
Check Plugs for fouling or plugs that are too clean.
Check ignition pick-up sensor
Check engine and ignition harness for bad insulation or loose connections - especially the connectors under the passsenger side shock tower.

Also sheck to make sure your intake manifold gasket is not leaking.

Hello,

I can only give you my experience with a k-jet. I hade a sloppy idle on my 82 for years that turned out to be leaking injector seals. Youm might want to check them to see if they are dried out. Hope that helps.

Mario
--
'I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane' Waylon Jennings

ooooh yea i had purchased a box of those a couple months ago with it in mind to replace them anyways, i just havent got to it yet, thanks tho, i'll try that as well

Could very well be the AMM. Have you tried running the engine with the AMM disconnected to see if things improve?

Another possibility to consider is a dirty throttle body - might give that a cleaning and make sure the idle switch is getting triggered when the throttle is closed.

Have you scouted for vacuum leaks?

Good luck.

-Josh

i'll try disconnecting it... i havent checked for vaccuum leaks yet either. if its not the AMM i was planning on pulling the throttle body and replacing the gasket after cleaning and stuff too so yea i'll try that as well if needed. Thanks! what is the best way to clean that?

Its in the 700/900 FAQ:

http://brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/EnginePerformanceSymptoms.htm#PoorPerformanceIdleSurgeandHuntDirtyThrottleBody

-Josh