Problems with Idling

[MikeGF]

Have what I think may be a problem with my 4L Chimaera.

Finally got up the courage to take it out last night in the rain (only had it since saturday!)

Anyway, I know it was dampo, but when coming to a stop the revs would drop down to 800, then 500, then the lights would dim and try to stall, I would have to rev to keep it running. It caught me out, then did stall. After that I started it and it was fine!

This morning was then the opposite, tickover seemned to be hunting between 1800 and 1200 rpm, only after a good run did it sort itself out.

As a newbie, is this normal??

Thanks
Mike

[shpub]

Stepper motor probably needs a clean. Covered in the bible or search these archives.

[MikeGF]

THanks, I actually was going to look at that in my copy of the bible.

THe car is still under warranty, do you suggest I give it a go (not that mechanically minded) or take it back?

I have only had the car since saturday and would cry if I broke it!

[Big Al.]

If your not sure how to do it, take it to the garage and ask if you can watch them clean it.

That's what I did at Fernies, easy job now 5 minutes work.

[iandbeech]

As others, check stepper motor but also consider what fuel you are putting in - when we got ours we only put in Optimax (as its considered the best) but after a while it started running a bit rough round town etc so put unleaded in and ran fine again. I did a thread on it last week (either in Chimaera gassing or general TVR gassing)with loads of comments and various answers!

[MikeGF]

Havent actually filled it up yet! still running (just) on the tank of fuel it camew with from Fernhurst, will be filling it up friday, and was planning to use super unleaded for a while (followinmg comments) then trying optimax.

[steveshutt]

This has just happened to me after going into the garage for a tune up and agdjusting to run on 95 ron unleaded. Previously it has been fine for five years, apart from one erratic day where a clean of the stepper motor fixed it.
When I actually stop, after 3 seconds the revs pick up and the car idles fine at just over 1k, sometimes it stalls before recovering. Not so bad when cold, but worse when warmed up.
It is going back into garage on friday, so I'll see what happens and let you know. I know it is not the stepper motor, it is shinning. Additionally when starting from cold the revs used to goto about 1800, then dropped to a 1000 after a short period, now it just starts slightly above 1000 and stays there.

[MikeGF]

Thanks steveshutt, let me know what they say.

[david beer]

I might be repeating myself here, but my eratic tick over was the airflow connector.Give it a wiggle!

[steveshutt]

Thanks Dave, I had seen that comment and tried it with no luck.
I'll try again just in case.

[MikeGF]

Silly question from a newbie - where is the airflow connector?

>> Edited by MikeGF on Wednesday 30th April 12:34

[david beer]

The air flow meter in the passengers side hovering above the manifold,it has the air intake pipe on it, you cant miss it. On the top of it is a long thin connector which should have a rubber seal, give that a wiggle,worth a try.

[MikeGF]

Cheers David I will give it a go.

[kqsgray]

These sound a familiar problem that has affected me recently. Not only is there the idling problem but also when driving in traffic or when slowing the car feels as if the fuel is momentarily cut off. This can be cured by driving under full power, but this is not always possible! So a very rough drive ensues. Has anyone else experienced this additional problem?

For a new comer can you please identify the location of the stepper motor on a 1998 4.0L Chim.

[SGirl]

MikeGF said: Havent actually filled it up yet! still running (just) on the tank of fuel it camew with from Fernhurst

Come on Mike, you're not trying!! We filled our Cerbie up the day after we bought it.

FWIW, my Griff 500 used to do something similar to what you and kqsgray describe - don't know if the fix would be similar, but a tune by Mark Adams sorted it nicely and "found" an extra 50 BHP lurking somewhere as well.

Hope you're enjoying the car!

[MikeGF]

LOVING the car!!

Just finding the time to drive it.....

[Trefor]

MikeGF said: Havent actually filled it up yet! still running (just) on the tank of fuel it camew with from Fernhurst

Mike - warning - don't let it get too low until you know how accurate your gauge is. Some are fine, some read high/low. You'll get between 150 and 250 miles from a tank depending on the type of driving you do.

T/.

[anglefish909]

Not sure if I have the best thread but I am struggling to find something for what I have... Anyway.

I have a video of my Chimaera 430 from 3 days silent upto running temps.

It does have the Tornado chip which is apparently why it turns over so long, to get the oil to the cams.

I Just want any useful input.

Anyhow that's here the links, the second is the warmer of the two.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKTCYT5GEzo

And the second warm video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC7qcZqvloM

[AdriaanB]

I've improved erratic idling with replacing the water temp sensor on the block - car ran fine cold but too rich when warming up. Was a cheap and quick fix - garage should be able to do that for you as well.

[Hedgehopper]

kqsgray said:

For a new comer can you please identify the location of the stepper motor on a 1998 4.0L Chim.

Don't do it up too tight, or you will crack it! Also, clean the seat in the housing as well as the stepper motor