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1990 2.5L will only start with throttle applied


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I have a 90 2.5 2wd that iv been fixing up, truck has been sitting for awhile. Did new head gasket, plugs, wires, thermostat. It will not start on its own, but a slight amount of throttle applied and starts right up. Runs great after starting, the problem is 100% consistent. No matter the temp or how many times I prime the fuel pump. If I don't touch the gas pedal it would never start, but the second I touch it fires right up. Not to familiar with these engines. Any ideas? 

IMG_2821.jpg

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Yes there is an idler adjuster. It’s the ISA on the front of the TB. I recommend adjusting the bolt that touches the throttle plate out a little bit and see if that helps with starting without pushing the accelerator pedal. That being said, once that is good and set I recommend the adjustment procedure for the ISA. 

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1 hour ago, eaglescout526 said:

Yes there is an idler adjuster. It’s the ISA on the front of the TB. I recommend adjusting the bolt that touches the throttle plate out a little bit and see if that helps with starting without pushing the accelerator pedal. That being said, once that is good and set I recommend the adjustment procedure for the ISA. 

I have messed with it, did not change the starting issue. Its currently set where I want it, so if I had to adjust it high enough to start the idle would be way too high once running. 

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Can you verify your ISA is working? When you shut down the engine do you here some mechanical whirring under the hood or is it just silent? It sounds like to me it could not be working at all if adjusting it makes the idle speed to high. Granted on start up it should get to 2500-3000 rpm and then come down. 

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7 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

Can you verify your ISA is working? When you shut down the engine do you here some mechanical whirring under the hood or is it just silent? It sounds like to me it could not be working at all if adjusting it makes the idle speed to high. Granted on start up it should get to 2500-3000 rpm and then come down. 

Could you explain what the ISA is? I do believe it makes a noise on shut down, kinda sounds like an external fuel pump or something. 

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So the Idle Speed Actuator(ISA) is what controls engine idle speed and proper start up each time. If it’s not adjusted right, it won’t start up each time right. If it’s not working the idle speed will be stuck where ever it failed. They are known to get gummed up and fail at the electrical contacts and the gears internally. Even the motor inside gets carbon build up and can not operate too funny enough.

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How does it run and idle after it starts? 

The 2.46 is really sensitive to bad ground issues. Most notable is the ground point at the firewall.

If you haven't already done so, remove the strap from the firewall, scrape to bare metal and reinstall the cable. Do the same at the head where the cable attaches. 

 

They are also prone to intake manifold leaks at the head. Make sure the bolts are snug.

Also prone to rotten vacuum hoses to the intake manifold. See the pic below.

 

 

4 cyl TB hoses.jpg

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2 hours ago, cruiser54 said:

How does it run and idle after it starts? 

The 2.46 is really sensitive to bad ground issues. Most notable is the ground point at the firewall.

If you haven't already done so, remove the strap from the firewall, scrape to bare metal and reinstall the cable. Do the same at the head where the cable attaches. 

 

They are also prone to intake manifold leaks at the head. Make sure the bolts are snug.

Also prone to rotten vacuum hoses to the intake manifold. See the pic below.

 

 

4 cyl TB hoses.jpg

Run and idles decently well after starting. I also wondered about vacuum, ill check those tonight. Ill also look at the grounds. 

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