My brothers '86 XT Turbo won't idle when its cold, and frequently after it dies, won't start again.

 

If you can start it, and hold idle till it gets warm, car seems to run great.

 

If it helps, car is throwing a code 35. My research indicates this is for a Air flow meter, egr solenoid or circuit.

 

4 weeks ago when the non-starting started, we diagnosed a bad ground. Grounds under the passenger seat were getting wet and corroded. After fixing that, car would start, but now wouldn't idle cold. We replaced the CTS, because in my eyes, all the symptoms pointed to a bad CTS.

 

The car took a trip to Smart Service, and they diagnosed a AIC valve being out of commission. So, since no new ones were available in my area, I replaced it with one from Pull A Part that tested good.

 

To further pursue the code 35, I replaced the MAF, as well as the only solenoid I could find on the motor... presumed to be the EGR solenoid.

 

What am I missing? What is causing this? I'm losing my hair and my patience.

Edited December 3, 200817 yr by Subarutex

the AIC's or idle control valves typically don't need replaced, they need cleaned. a used one might be worse than the existing one since it's been sitting around for who knows how long and in who knows what condition.

 

generally idle control valves very rarely fail, they just need a good cleaning. buying new is flushing green backs down the toilet.

 

while you're in the cleaning mode, clean the EGR valve as well. might want to have a new gasket handy to do that.

 

make sure no vacuum hoses get left unseated, cracked or bumped off.

 

replace the PCV valve?

 

over all tune - plugs, wires, cap, rotor, mileage?

AIC was cleaned by Smart Service. I know, cause when I took it off it I could eat off it. I cleaned the one from PAP pretty darn good aswell before replacing it. Tapping the old AIC would actually cause a change in engine idle, and it also read a out of spec resistance. The used ones resistance is in spec.

 

Haven't tried cleaning the EGR...I will try that. However I don't understand how EGR would affect a cold start issue. My understanding was that EGR didn't start opening until the car was warm.

 

Car and motor have about 130,000 on them. Its the best running EA82T i've ever seen up until these issues started.

 

Plugs, wires, cap, rotor were all done less than 6 months ago. Car is getting spark fairly well. Seems to flood the chamber though pretty easily on starting... Like its getting too much fuel.

 

Haven't looked at the PCV valve, I'll check that out.

leaky injector? or lines to injector under the carpet shorted to gound?

 

those flapper mafs are tricky.

 

did you get one from a turbo?

 

I do have one.

Haven't tried cleaning the EGR...I will try that. However I don't understand how EGR would affect a cold start issue.

right, that's unlikely to solve this issue. i was only recommending cleaning it as prevenative maintenance if you were going to do the same to the IAC.

 

are you still getting a code 35 from the ECU? even after replacing those parts?