Is the air adjustment screw still in the hole in the top of the intake manifold? They have a way of falling out, and that caused a bad idle in my car. If you're not sure, just put your finger on top of the hole, the idle should improve right away.

 

It's still there. The vacuum line under the throttle body is there as well. The vacuum system is in good condition holding a vacuum.

 

Toss your stock chips back in and see what happens.

 

How many miles/years on the headers? Bellows, or not? The erratic idle is most likely a bad vacuum line, preventing the Idel Stablizer from doing its work.

 

I am going to reinstall the injectors and stock chips. I will then check the reference sensor connections. If all goes well, she will idle and perform at least at stock level.

The exhaust styemis stock and original to the veh with bellows. The system has been checked and repaired once. It is in good condition. (at least for a stock unit.) I have a 3" mandrel bent pipe from the cat back with a Borla muffler.

 

James:

Try disconnecting the afm first and see if anything changes. I was chasing a similar problem, and that was the problem.

 

Does the computer have fail-safe mode that would allow the engine to run?

 

yes...and it also 'learns' a little bit and adjust to conditions.

when you disconnect the battery, Bosch says it may take 10 mins to relearn

 

UPDATE:
I reinstalled the injectors and restared the eng. The eng would not idle. I changed out the chips and disconnected the AFM. The eng started and idled but did not want to rev. I noticed a HUGE vacuum leak from the hose going from the ICV to intake. I verified with gum out and the fact Checked to see if it was tight and it fell apart.

I thank you for your assistance and I will check the above items whenI get the new hose on.

 

wrong thread..oops

 

Final Update:
SHE RUNS!.....
I went through my checklist to see how this dignosis went awry. I checked the vacuum system first and it held. Apparently when I checked the ICV, I damaged the hose from the ICV to the intake manifold. I replaced the hose and the car still had problems. I disconnecte the AFM and the eng ran. When I reconnected it, the engine died. I rechecked the NCT I (temp sensor on the AFM) the reading was in the range of about 30'F. It is currently 80'F outside. The AFM was replaced and she runs great.

I thank you all again for your input.

 

good news...congrats

btw, if the 'other' temp sensor (engine temp sensor) gets 'flakey' it can confuse the DME and cause irratic and/or rich idle problems