Unsteady Idle

[evrenosogullari]

Hello
Just a note and apology that I'm a super-novice so am definitely getting more help here than I'm giving right now...

My 1980 FI has been running great – just an ongoing issue that has plagued me for a year now...

I just tried disconnecting and cleaning the cold start valve, it was pretty gunky. Is there a way to tell if its in good working order?

Symptoms:
- Basically I'm remiss to start the car without giving it some gas as I do
- If i turn the car on WITHOUT giving a little gas at the same time, only sometimes, the tachometer starts dancing up... then down, up... then down, up... then down, and finally goes off. Giving it gas seems to help but not for long: once its in this state the only solution seems to be to wait 10 minutes and then give it gas as I restart it and slowly ease off the pedal and its good.

Other symptom (related?)
- When the engine is running I can sense a bit of an 'unsteady idle' every 5 seconds or so (maybe thats normal I wouldn't know)
- When the key is in and just turned in the position so I can turn the radio on etc, the Battery light and the little gas can light come on immediately. They go off when I start the engine.

No worries if this doesn't ring a bell for anyone... just thought I'd try

Thanks Again

[18Fiatsandcounting]

- When the key is in and just turned in the position so I can turn the radio on etc, the Battery light and the little gas can light come on immediately. They go off when I start the engine.

I can't help much with diagnosing FI issues, but I can tell you that the battery and gas can lights are acting normal. They should come on when you switch the key to "on" (so that you can see that they're working), and then they should go off when the engine starts. Assuming the battery/alternator and gas level are OK, of course.

-Bryan

[evrenosogullari]

They should come on when you switch the key to "on" (so that you can see that they're working), and then they should go off when the engine starts. Assuming the battery/alternator and gas level are OK, of course.

Thanks - it was actually the check engine sensor too though, which shouldn't have been on when the key is "on"....

Anyway not sure if this will illuminate any one else's simliar problem somuchas show my total ignorance but Problem Solved!!

The intake tube (big one) was a little loose. Seems once I tightened it real good its been starting so smoothly that I almost cried.

[spider2081]

it was actually the check engine sensor too though, which shouldn't have been on when the key is "on"..

I guessing with the ignition key is turned to the "on" position and engine is not running the oil pressure, battery/charge, brake and oxygen sensor lights should all be lit. Once engine is started they should all go out provided you have sufficient brake fluid in the reservoir and the emergency brake handle is all the way down. The brake and Oxygen sensor lights are also on a timer circuit and can go out by themselves once they have timed out.