low idle/no start sometimes

boojeah · Post by **boojeah** » May 19th, 2005, 10:26 pm

ok, my mx3 is a 93, and when i first start it up for the day it will start, anytime after that im taking a gamble and when it doesnt start it will after anywhere from 5min and up, usually within 15min. when it does start the idle jumps around whenever im at a lower rpm (1k-2.5k) but not always, selectively, and when im stopped or in neutral (clutch in) it will dip to the point of almost stalling, just barely staying on or even sometimes stalling (but not often). after the car has warmed up, the idle hardly ever jumps and when im in neutral or stopped it idles a bit lower than i think it should, but im not too sure where exactly it should be, its just a tad higher then halfway between 0 and 1. I took it to a shop and hooked it up to some computer or whatever and they told me it was my distributor, so i changed it and i still have the same problem :S
ive also read there is some kind of intake valve that is open when your car is cold and then closes when it warms up so that the idle lowers, could this be popping open and closed while the car warms up?
but i doubt this would make it not start tho right?

azazel95 · Post by **azazel95** » May 24th, 2005, 2:06 pm

I had a similiar problem on start ups with a Taurus I had. It would start fine at the begining of each day, but after that it would start only about 5% of the time. I thought it might have been my distributer but it ended up being my starter going bad. I bought a new starter and installed it and then had no more problems until my tranny went

Might want to check that out.

As for the low idling with the clutch in, I think that is normal (besides the stalling). I have a 95 mx3 and its stock idle speed is only 700rpm (which is right where you describe yours idling). You might want to check your spark plugs, and consider a tune up. Those basic steps might solve most of the problems.

Typhoonk · Post by **Typhoonk** » May 24th, 2005, 7:54 pm

after the car stalls again. Check for CEL codes in the cars computer (see mx-3 faqs)

pull the code and post it here, and we can help.

but I think It is one of the temperature sensors.

get the codes first though!!!

azazel95 · Post by **azazel95** » May 25th, 2005, 4:24 pm

http://www.mx-3.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=42315