idle problem

[drenthe]

I have a 76 spider with a 79 engine (2000) and the only way I can get the car to idle is to hold the choke all but closed( about an 1/8 ") from being shut, then it will idle fine. I have rebuilt the cab and this has not helped. I have a fair amount of hoses that are not connected or missing, the carb has some open vac lines that are not connected to it. I tried to plug these and adjust the idle screw and anything else that would turn, with no luck. I believe when the engine was switched and the smog control was removed some things did not get completed. I know this is maybe hard to follow, but thanks for any ideas.

Steve (drenthe)

[So Cal Mark]

you have to eliminate all vacuum leaks, and make sure the idle cutoff solenoid is connected to switched power, and that it works

[drenthe]

Thanks, I will make sure that they are all leak free, and I need to get the cutoff solenoid connected to power their doesn't seem to be a free wire in the area. How can you test the solenoid?

Thanks

[ga.spyder]

You can test it by simply putting power to it.You will hear an audible click if its working.
Craig

[drenthe]

You guys are great! Thanks

[So Cal Mark]

your 76 would have used the idle solenoid also, so there should be a power wire in the same area already

[mbouse]

i gotta ask, cuz everyone is making an assumption here. is this a stock 28/32 Weber carburetor with a water choke? or, besides the engine transplant, has the carburetor also been replaced/modified?

i agree that no vacuum leaks helps the overall performance of the engine .. but fixing the vacuum leaks will have no affect on an aftermarket electrically controlled choke .. and i personally don't see the direct connection from vacuum leaks to a choke that is operated by the temperature of the coolant in the system. it sounds like you have a stock carburetor based on your other questions .. but clarification might help the responses that will get your choke functioning properly.

when you rebuilt the carb, did you open the choke housing and look at the condition of the spring inside? was it corroded, or was it debris free? how about the hoses that feed the choke, were they replaced and free flowing?

if your idle solenoid is missing its 12v feed, and you cannot find one in the area, then replace the missing feed with any switched 12v feed (tied into the ignition switch).

[drenthe]

The carb is a Weber 32 ADFA with the water choke. The spring looked good and had very little dirt in the housing, which I cleaned out. The coolant lines looked clear, but going to replace them along with the other suggestions that I have gotten. Solenoid is there, but not hooked up, going to hook it up and test, I have the next three days off, so I will be going through my check list. Thanks for all the help, I will let you know how it goes.

[majicwrench]

Doesn't sound like threre is anything wrong with choke, why worry about choke?? SOunds like something wrong in idle circuit, and if idle soleniod not hooked up it will not idle. Power up soleniod first.
Keith

[drenthe]

WOW! That was it, the idle solenoid. Thanks everyone for all your help. ( I think this would be a good time to donate)

Steve

[mbouse]

Whew! we can all exhale now.

did you find the correct lead wire for the solenoid, or did you have to run a new wire?

[drenthe]

I just grabbed one that had power, I think it was from the oil sensor.I just wanted to get through that bump. Next is the electrical system, should be fun. Hope you didn't lose to much sleep.