4age numerous issues

[91levin]

I have a 1991 Levin with a Silvertop, its has a few issues with the battery draining and minor things but it has now developed a fault where it will start perfectly fine but after a few minutes of idling it will cough and eventually turn off, the engine light will flicker at startup but will run fine for a bit then it will cough a lot, the engine light is only on when it coughs but it will occasionally recover and return back to normal idling revs. As for the battery draining i have still not been able to fix this, i have checked fuses etc. Any feedback on either problem is appreciated

[Rens]

I'd say they're connected. Get it running again and put a multimeter across the battery terminals to see if the alternator is putting out enough volts (around 13.7 on average)

How to Check an Alternator: 9 Steps - wikiHow

here's a video too How to Test Alternator Voltage Output (AutoUpkeep.com) - YouTube

[91levin]

Just started it, battery read 12.6v before startup and 14.2v while running so it looks like the alternator is fine. The engine cut out after a few minutes again.

[trdee]

put the engine in diagnostic mode and see what error codes pop up before trying to do any further troubleshooting.

[91levin]

Just tried diagnostics, no codes came up

[jondee86]

If the battery is fully charged, then the engine should run OK even if there is some kind of fault with the alternator. If the battery drains while the car is parked up, you have some parasitic loss. This can be anything from a luggage compartment light to faulty diode in the alternator. Trouble shoot with a multimeter that can measure amps connected in series with a battery lead.

Measure the milliamps, and then pull every fuse you can find one at a time. When the milliamps drop, you know you have the circuit that is draining power. Narrow it down from there. Oh, and don't try starting the car, or even turning on the ignition with the meter in series

Cheers... jondee86

[jondee86]

... it will start perfectly fine but after a few minutes of idling it will cough and eventually turn off, the engine light will flicker at startup but will run fine for a bit then it will cough a lot, the engine light is only on when it coughs but it will occasionally recover and return back to normal idling revs.

Idling on this engine is controlled by the 3-wire Idle Speed Contol Valve located at the rear of the head on the intake side. The ISCV can get gummed up with black goober over time, and need cleaning. Take it out and flush it through with some carb cleaner to get the black stuff out.

There is also an IDL switch in the TPS that tells the ECU when the throttles are closed. This needs to be correctly set according to the manual. If out of adjustment, the ECU may not implement idle control. Working correctly, the ECU will adjust the setting of the ISCV to hold the idle steady at the target rpm, regardless of changes in electrical load or engine temp.

The battery light (charge light) will come on if the engine revs drop real low. But a flickering engine light that happens at the same time as the engine is coughing/losing revs, is most likely a faulty/loose wiring connection or plug. I'd start by checking every wire from the ECU to the ignition and distributor. Look for signs of damage, burned insulation, insulation rubbed thru to the wire, plugs not fully seated etc. Push, pull, rock, roll, rattle and shake the wiring while the engine is idling, and see if you can get it to stall. Good luck

Cheers... jondee86

[91levin]

Thanks for that, will have a look when the weather clears up a bit and post on here how it goes

[DX20VT]

Could be a faulty ECU, especially if the Check engine lights flickers or is on and there are no codes.

[91levin]

I have found the distributor module has a crack and a bit of corrosion so I will replace the module and see what happens.

[91levin]

How do I remove the module inside the distributor?

[DX20VT]

How do I remove the module inside the distributor?

You cant get them out separaetly. Need to replace the whole dist from memory.