2000 GT Won't Idle

[jefrowbe]

Hello all, I hope I'm posting this in the right place. I'm a admin on another site and understand about trying to get threads put in the right place. I ran across this site googling my problem earlier. I have to say its pretty impressive and well done and really like that chatbox function ya'll have.

Either way, I was looking for an answer to a strange thing that happened to me the last week. I changed my oil saturday and looked over the engine a bit and noticed the serpentine belt was wore pretty bad and decided to change it before it broke. I changed it, cranked it and ran a few minutes and shut it off. Thinking job well done as I walked away. Some where between that walk and the next day trying to start it something went wrong and I don't have a clue. It was running perfect before and now it won't idle start or idle period. It will run as I've some of the threads earlier I read but will go dead as soon as I let off the gas. I just thought this as weird being what little I did and it was running perfect before. I took it to a mechanic up the road and he seems baffled as well. He told me no codes showed up yesterday and I called today and he thinks its something to do with the Pladnuim(sp?) but, didn't sound confindent in that and said the labor would be 200 plus parts. I'd like to get a second opionion or two before I start forking out alot of money. Anybody got any ideas. I've looked over anything that could have been accidently bumped or came unplugged and don't see anything.

Thanks in Advance

[jefrowbe]

Update, I went and picked it up today without other than test ran on it and it wouldn't ll idle, which I figured since nothing was done to it. I drove it maybe 15 miles home and started to cut it off and its Idling now prefectly. This is weird. I did notice that the low coolant light was flickering on and off. Does that mean something and/or can it be picked up by the computer, with what the problem is with that? I checked the radiator and reservoir and they are full.

Now that I'm thinking about it. The mechanic mentioned something the other day about a sensor that looked like it had moisture in it. Could this be a connection to the coolant light that something is wrong somewhere?

Thanks in advance if anyone has an answer or does this sound familiar? I really don't have $200 to through around if I can fix it myself.

[matt5112]

coolant sensor when it gets dirty will set the light.

Vacuum leak? Did you set your breakbar/belt tool down on the engine and perhaps knock off a dry rotted vacuum line?

[jefrowbe]

coolant sensor when it gets dirty will set the light.

Vacuum leak? Did you set your breakbar/belt tool down on the engine and perhaps knock off a dry rotted vacuum line?

No, I was real careful with my tools. I did notice with a friend of mine under that "Series 3800" cover thing that a 90 degree line had a break in it the other day. I had him start it and rev it up while I felt around it troubleshooting and it didn't seem to affect anything whatever I did to it. I don't know what its called I'll take a picture of it and post it in a bit if I can figure out how to post it here. That was going to be my first thing to replace today after I got it home.

I'll see if I can find that coolant sensor and clean it off and see what happens. Thanks for the help man.

I googled, I think every thing about this problem last nite and come up with a bunch of different results but none really fit this. I seen one dude saying something about the computer has to be reset by driving it 30 miles and then it will pick up what its suppose to do. Ever heard of that? or is it just bull?

[matt5112]

look into the vacuum leak. All of your lines are probably shot.

10 years is a while for rubber fittings.

[jefrowbe]

look into the vacuum leak. All of your lines are probably shot.

10 years is a while for rubber fittings.

Yeah, thats quite possible and the responses I've gotten alot descriping the problem. Wierd how it just quit/started all at once. This picture If I post it correctly shows the line that has a break in it. I'm not good with editing pictures to put a arrow at the problem as some of ya'll are but, I tried. Its a squiggly as hell yellow line pointing to the break in the 90.





Did that work?

[matt5112]

Yeah, that one.

Simplest solution is to go to your local dealer and get them from there.

The other solution is to create something from what you can find at your local parts store.

Washer fluid line works well.

[jefrowbe]

Yeah, that one.

Simplest solution is to go to your local dealer and get them from there.

The other solution is to create something from what you can find at your local parts store.

Washer fluid line works well.

Thanks Matt. You saved me over $200 at least. I honestly, really appreciate it and owe you one.

[matt5112]

Ah we'll see... Vacuum leak would cause this but may not be the only thing thats wrong.

[jefrowbe]

Ah we'll see... Vacuum leak would cause this but may not be the only thing thats wrong.

Smile just fell from my face.. That situation links to a problem what else should I look for?

[matt5112]

Hey, it can just be the vacuum lines.

Fix that first then we'll see what happens next.

[jefrowbe]

Hey, it can just be the vacuum lines.

Fix that first then we'll see what happens next.

Okay.. So far the rest of today I've been just testing it at random to start and its worked every time. thanks Matt.

[matt5112]

Np.

I take it that the vacuum lines were the source of your issue?

[jefrowbe]

Np.

I take it that the vacuum lines were the source of your issue?

Yes, either that or the computer somehow reset itself. It cranked right up yesterday too and ran perfect.

[matt5112]

good to hear, enjoy.