'90 SOHC KA-E, ~140k miles, all stock (minus AIV), automatic
Well, I'm about to replace my head with a fresh one and install a new timing chain kit, but I've been having some problems with my KA for some time now and I'm wondering if some of them can be resolved beforehand.
My RPMs fluctuate constantly, going up and down a few hundred RPMs, causing my lights (head and interior) to dim in the process. Sometimes my car can hold a steady idle, but not usually. Mostly the RPMs love to bounce around. What could be causing this jumpy idle? It dies on me sometimes. There was a sunny day where it died on me seven times while I was trying to reverse :|
When my car is holding a steady idle, the lights are dim. When I give it a bit of gas my lights fully brighten up. Is this simply because the RPMs are too low, or do I have a problem with my grounds or alternator (or something else?)
I think the KA runs rich, possibly because of my valve and/or lifter issues (which is why I got a replacement head) and perhaps re-grounding my MAF or getting a ground kit would help out a bit. My exhaust stinks, and I think my cat may be toast.
This one is kind of random and unrelated to the KA, but my brake light on the instrument cluster doesn't turn off. All of my tail light bulbs are in working order, my pads are good (as far as I can tell, all 4 of my pads are not very old), and I have even disconnected the switch from the e-brake. I bled my brakes at all four corners when I changed my pads.
Some things to consider:
My spark plugs, wires, and distibutor cap have been replaced within the last 2 years, and I have yet to check the plugs themselves to see how they are doing. I will do that this weekend.
Since owning the car I have not checked nor replaced the o2 sensor, cat converter, and fuel filter. Also, I remember reading something about a certain temp. sensor that can cause a KA to run like crap when it goes out. Not sure if it was the thermostat, but I recall something to do with the coolant. I have yet to read the ECU codes to see what the computer has to tell me. I have Seafoamed the engine once. One can, split 3 ways into the crankcase, gas tank, and through the brake booster line.
I'm still searching through the forums and FSM for answers, but I figure I'd ask because I'm sure someone here has experienced some of my problems. Afterall, we all have a KA under our hoods If I haven't listed it here, I haven't done it, so if you think something is a possibility, throw it out and I'm on it.
Thanks guys
Oh yeah, my air filter is damn near new.
Modified by lofapoo at 5:24 AM 8/29/2006
Maybe you could answer a few quick questions for me?
That's what I was thinking, but it's been like this for months now with no change whatsoever. But still, it's on my list. So far here is what I have to check out and/or clean/replace --
check brakes, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, grounds, cat, ECU codes, waterpump, o2 sensor, thermostat, cabin air filter, clean injectors, maf, throttle body, pcv valve? coolant flush, fill, burp? throttle position sensor, EGR, check alternator
I want to get all of that done, but my budget is tight, which is why I'm looking for the things most relevant to my issues. I think it's safe to say if I got all of that done, my car would be pretty damn happy. But where to begin...
check brakes, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, fuel filter, grounds, cat, ECU codes, waterpump, o2 sensor, thermostat, cabin air filter, clean injectors, maf, throttle body, pcv valve? coolant flush, fill, burp? throttle position sensor, EGR, check alternator
I want to get all of that done, but my budget is tight, which is why I'm looking for the things most relevant to my issues. I think it's safe to say if I got all of that done, my car would be pretty damn happy. But where to begin...