Re: Erratic idle speed

["basfe25" <drrub46@xxxx>]

Loads of things can cause this but here are a few to check since you 
replaced the leads. 
1. Make sure that they are in the proper firing order. Check the 
service manual for the firing order; I don't remember it off hand.
2. Make sure they are all seated properly, what I mean by this is 
that the lead may look connected but it's not making any contact. 
Pull off the leads one by one carefully by the boots and put them 
back on. As you are putting them on do it gently and listen/feel for 
a "click", that will be the metal contact snapping around the spark 
plug. Check at the rotor too...make sure they are seated properly 
also. A quick and dirty way (but safe) to check if you are getting a 
spark to each plug is to connect a timing light to each lead and 
triggering it. If the timing light flashes then you have a spark. 
You are not checking the timing with the light by doing this...only 
checking for a spark going through the leads when the light flashes.
3. make sure that whoever replaced the plugs didn't accidentally 
knock into any other connectors around the area and made them come 
loose.
4. Recheck your timing, if it's off you may have a wire misplaced.


--- In dmcnews@xxxx, Richard Johnstone <webmaster@xxxx> wrote:
> Hi
> 
> Got a problem trying to get my car going, starts ok but the idle 
speed
> is all over the place. When idling it either sits as normal about 
900
> rpm or runs well high at about 2000, and randomly switches between
> them. When any throttle is applied it splutters lots and attempts 
to
> stall. Initially it has trouble ontaining an idle at all with the 
air
> flow sensor vibrating, and the engine miss firing.
> 
> We just replaced all the HT leads today, it was running fine before
> that.
> 
> Anybody got ideas of what could be up and where to start looking 
as our
> mechanic bloke is off on holiday and we're trying to get it 
running in
> time for a show next week?
> 
> Richard (using Martin's email to confuse people)
> #2727