Low Idle? Or what?

[Jeff]

Im thinkin i might be idling to low because the engine shuts off when i put it in reverse or drive. It does it sittin still sometimes. Any thoughts? Please.

[Metromad]

You might need to check your Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) settings. Get a Chiltons manual if you don't have one, it will detail how for you. Might also check your compression, could be getting low and does not have enough power to handle a load at idle. Could be a fuel delivery problem. Check fuel pressure reading at the Throttle Body. I believe it should be 8psi. Just work the problem, you will find it.

[Metroman]

These 3 cylinder cars are supposed to idle at approximately 800 rpms (manual tranny). Check what was suggested earlier in the post and then check the set screw on the TBI. It may have worked itself loose and could have fallen out altogether causing the low rpms you speak of when the car is put into gear.

[atleastitsnotaford]

with auto trans, idle should be 850 with m-trans, idle should be 750-800 depending on year/engine

also check your ignition system, a weak spark can cause a large enough power loss at idle to stall the engine when you put a load on it.(in gear w/auto)

[daver51]

GM bench/shop manual for a 93' 3 cyl is 850 +/- 50. Just FYI....as everything can stand some tweaking from the books suggested settings...

[Zorro]

Try advancing your Ignition advance a bit. Take a Sharpie and mark a line down the distributor to the attachment point and down an inch or so to create a reference point..

Then with a hot engine loosen the two screws holding it down and advance the timing a bit. Tighten it back up and test it for detonation.

What you want is just a trace of knocking at 5th gear and wide open throttle.

Heavy knocking is BAD, what you are looking for is the sweet spot for timing advance, usually the point of highest idle on older cars.

With metros you want a slight boost and most likely will not have a sweet spot, just a little extra before going to far.

My own will take all the advance, IF I feed it Super Premium gas. Not worth the fuel cost, just see if you can advance it a bit on regular gas.

[Lizard]

Could be bad gas. I got a tank of bad gas about a month ago and the car ran like crap for week. Wouldn't idle or run right. I cleaned and gapped the plugs, adjusted the idle srew, check the air cleaner but nothing worked. Then I ran it down to empty and put 1/2 tank of mid-grade Shell in it. After a few miles I notice a HUGE difference in that it ran like a champ. Never went back to that other gas station again. And I always use mid grade now. Its only a few cents more and what a difference. With only three cylinders, you need all the power you can get.

[92ina94metro]

I had a dodge ram that did the same thing and the intake vavle spring had broke....but that was a dodge...lol