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  #1  
Old 12-13-2014, 06:52 PM
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Sean486 Sean486 is offline
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Idle Issue

Just the other day the idle started to act strange. It seems to idle ok in Park but put it in drive with your foot on the brake or reverse and the idle starts to get uneven dropping low and bouncing back up to normal, when it dips, it dips low enough that I am concerned about stalling. Revving in this state seems to make the engine run a bit rough. When you do start driving it seems ok, maybe slightly rough when you starting out.

I did have some 87 octane gas in it the day before, but have since filled the tank with 93. There are no CEL codes. Ideas?
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1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert
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  #2  
Old 12-14-2014, 06:18 AM
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fasteract7 fasteract7 is offline
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Re: Idle Issue

Both my 92 SVX's have had funny idle, near or actual stall problems with one doing it intermittently and the other finally not starting at all after a stall. Both my problems were fixed with a good MAF swap. I tried the resolder fix on one and didn't help in my case 100% albeit made the stall problem pretty infrequent in comparision to before. Some suggest cleaning...mine were always already clean from regular upkeep with MAF spray cleaner so didn't help. With over 3,000 posts you seen this discussed.

No CEL if MAF the only problem. Get a known good MAF and swap her in...I have yet to not see this fix the problem. In my case, one SVX had the MAF fail at 60K and again at 92K, the other one failed at 90K.

I'm sure some listers here have a decent used one..that's where I got my last one. eBay of course has them but probably a bit more iffy as to quality. A new one can be found on RockAuto for less than the Dealers but still pricey.




http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUBARU-92-97...8e48ea&vxp=mtr


http://www.ebay.com/itm/92-97-Subaru...fff6f7&vxp=mtr

Last edited by fasteract7; 12-14-2014 at 06:31 AM.
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  #3  
Old 12-14-2014, 08:32 AM
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Sean486 Sean486 is offline
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Re: Idle Issue

My current maf was resoldered about 3 years ago but maybe it is starting to fail again. I have another one that I can swap in, I'll try it today. I also have a set of coils I can put in but since it druves ok, im not sure it would be them.
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1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert
Reading Box of Wine Car
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1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019
1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007
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  #4  
Old 12-14-2014, 02:59 PM
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Sean486 Sean486 is offline
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Re: Idle Issue

Not the MAF, same issue after after replacing it. After driving it a bit more I see that it doesn't matter if it is in park or drive. It still has the too low bouncy idle. Could be time to do the vacuum lines or IAC valve?

Is it worthwhile to swap the coils?

Here is a video.
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1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert
Reading Box of Wine Car
-----------------------------------
1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019
1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007
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  #5  
Old 12-17-2014, 06:32 PM
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Sean486 Sean486 is offline
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Re: Idle Issue

It was a bad coil. I did the injector unplugging test and found the right front was not firing.

I am very happy that I decided to pick up a spare set off a forum member a while back and was able to fix it right away. I don't remember who it was that sold them, but thank you.
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1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert
Reading Box of Wine Car
-----------------------------------
1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019
1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007
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  #6  
Old 12-17-2014, 06:35 PM
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fasteract7 fasteract7 is offline
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Re: Idle Issue

Glad to hear the fix...will tuck your problem and solution away for possible good use in the future...
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  #7  
Old 12-18-2014, 04:17 AM
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fasteract7 fasteract7 is offline
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Re: Idle Issue

Forgot to ask...any thoughts on why a "misfire" from the bad coil didn't pop a CEL ?
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  #8  
Old 12-18-2014, 07:50 AM
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Sean486 Sean486 is offline
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Re: Idle Issue

Quote:
Originally Posted by fasteract7 View Post
Forgot to ask...any thoughts on why a "misfire" from the bad coil didn't pop a CEL ?
I am not sure last time I had a bad coil it was more pronounced and it was throwing codes. When I unplugged the injector there was a very slight change in how the engine was running, where as the other banks made a large change when unplugged. I suspect that maybe it was still functioning in a reduced capacity but I really can't say for sure.

The other unusual thing is that it turned out to be the same coil that I replaced a few years ago, but that replacement coil was used so probably doesn't mean much.
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1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert
Reading Box of Wine Car
-----------------------------------
1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019
1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007
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  #9  
Old 12-20-2014, 04:34 AM
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dannmarr dannmarr is offline
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Re: Idle Issue

My mechanic calls it a Lazy Coil. I experienced this twice. It's weak enough to notice but not weak enough to throw a code.
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  #10  
Old 12-28-2014, 01:01 PM
92snowmachine 92snowmachine is offline
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Re: Idle Issue

Most coil failures I see are from incorrect spark plug application or fouled plugs. Something to check to make sure you don't keep burning up coils.
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  #11  
Old 12-28-2014, 04:33 PM
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Sean486 Sean486 is offline
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Re: Idle Issue

Good to know, I'll check it out.
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1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert
Reading Box of Wine Car
-----------------------------------
1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019
1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007
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