3vz-e Really bad idle

xzen73x

New member
Me and a buddy are having a hell of a time getting his truck running, so i thought I'd post up here and see if anyone can offer some insight. The rig in question is a '88 Pickup 3.0 5spd

It started off with his knock sensor going. We tested for codes, and got Knock sensor, TPS, and something for an auto tranny, which we disregarded because his truck is a 5spd.

After ripping apart the motor to get to the knock sensor, only to find the previous owner replaced the pig tail with 12guage speaker wire, we replaced that, and the truck actually ran, but the idle was really bad, and was still misfiring, so we did cap/rotor/plugs/filter.

After all that, we still had misfire issues, so we went on to test codes again, and TPS still showed up. Seeing as we couldn't find parts for the '88 3.0, we did the next best thing, and grabbed a TPS off an early 90's 3.0.

Upon inspection, we realised the TPS for the '90 and '88 faced different directions and the new TPS wouldn't work with his throttle body. I had an extra throttle body sitting around so i grabbed that, and we went to work.

New throttle body installed, and we realize that the TPS connector between the years was different, and wouldn't match up, and luckily he grabbed the connector from the TPS as well, so we started splicing the new plug on.

New plug on, TPS in spec and installed, fired up and still ran like crap. I had an idea, we'd take the throttle body off my '90 3.0 and throw it on his motor to see if it was a TPS problem, and this video was created.

https://youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=hN-NQWuwIsU

After some screwing around, we started messing with the plug wires, and the idle got significantly better when you pull cylinder 1/3, slightly better when you pull 5, and wants to die if you pull 2/4/6.

Throttle response is instant, has tonnes of power when you drive it, but idles li junk, and we're running out of things to fix. Do you think there's a possibility f the newer TPS sending a bad signal to the older ECU? It still misfires while the TPS is disconnected though. any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Register to hide this ad
Me and a buddy are having a hell of a time getting his truck running, so i thought I'd post up here and see if anyone can offer some insight. The rig in question is a '88 Pickup 3.0 5spd

It started off with his knock sensor going. We tested for codes, and got Knock sensor, TPS, and something for an auto tranny, which we disregarded because his truck is a 5spd.

After ripping apart the motor to get to the knock sensor, only to find the previous owner replaced the pig tail with 12guage speaker wire, we replaced that, and the truck actually ran, but the idle was really bad, and was still misfiring, so we did cap/rotor/plugs/filter.

After all that, we still had misfire issues, so we went on to test codes again, and TPS still showed up. Seeing as we couldn't find parts for the '88 3.0, we did the next best thing, and grabbed a TPS off an early 90's 3.0.

Upon inspection, we realised the TPS for the '90 and '88 faced different directions and the new TPS wouldn't work with his throttle body. I had an extra throttle body sitting around so i grabbed that, and we went to work.

New throttle body installed, and we realize that the TPS connector between the years was different, and wouldn't match up, and luckily he grabbed the connector from the TPS as well, so we started splicing the new plug on.

New plug on, TPS in spec and installed, fired up and still ran like crap. I had an idea, we'd take the throttle body off my '90 3.0 and throw it on his motor to see if it was a TPS problem, and this video was created.

https://youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=hN-NQWuwIsU

After some screwing around, we started messing with the plug wires, and the idle got significantly better when you pull cylinder 1/3, slightly better when you pull 5, and wants to die if you pull 2/4/6.

Throttle response is instant, has tonnes of power when you drive it, but idles li junk, and we're running out of things to fix. Do you think there's a possibility f the newer TPS sending a bad signal to the older ECU? It still misfires while the TPS is disconnected though. any help would be greatly appreciated.

Did you soder the connections for the tps pigtail?
 
Wow, ok. Points for being resourceful, but you've introduced so many variables that there's no telling what's what now.

Skip the junkyard parts and get a new TPS for his year motor. Put the correct connector back on the harness, and don't use crimped spade terminals, make good solder connections. You didn't mention if you did this or not, but make sure you've got the TPS set up correctly. Get his truck back to stock.

Assuming that this doesn't fix the misfire, at least now you can start proper isolation of the trouble without having to worry about whether previous repairs are getting in the way. :)
 
Also consider changing ALL vacuum hoses, is a headache finally control the idle of the engine

I spent adjusting the TPS that was mistakenly moved by a mechanical,
then failed with the same typical failure ranged rpm

Then replace it all vacuum hoses and voila, consider this independent of what you have to do more crafty engine
 
We ran with the TPS disconnected because we were testing to see if it would still misfire even with the TPS out of the equation, which it does.

We tested for vacuum leaks with WD40 and heard no idle change at all, from anything.

KidVermicious, i considered that the terminals would screw up the resistance readings from the TPS as well, but even with it unplugged, the truck should idle steady, but high if it was a TPS issue. The fact that it still misfires even without the TPS is troubling. Also yes, we double checked the TPS to make sure it was in proper spec.
 
It could be a combination of things but first start with the idle screw. Make sure it is not all the way in and see if adjusting does anything. Next I agree with Kidvermicious...put original throttle body and brand new TPS for that TB on it all within spec. If that doesn't solve it test you distributor and coil to make sure it is in spec. Also base timing on the 3vze is 10*btdc


Good luck
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
278,306
Messages
3,554,046
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Trending content

Back
Top