Weird Problem with GSX

[dsmcoder]

I have a 1991 auto gsx. Its winter now and my car starts fine, but if I leave my car in my garage all day and try to start it it might take up to 10 cranks. In fact it starts faster in -20 below weather then it does at room temp. It seems like my coolant temp gauge is reading fine, its not jumping around or anything like that.

if you need more info please ask

Any Ideals?

 

[sega1667]

Is the "check engine" light on?

my first thought was vacuum issues, second was the egr valve, third was the o2 sensor. that's where I would start, and if the check engine light is on, then I would start with the o2 sensor.

 

[dsmcoder]

No, the check engine light is not on. I did a vacuum test with a smoke machine and there was no leaks. I'm not sure how to check the egr valve.

 

[MR2BOY]

Try removing the egr valve it tends to get stuck because of the gunk or go bad since its an old car, clean it up good, this is what he was probably trying to say.

 

[dsmcoder]

ok, I will try that when I can get it back into a heated garage. Is there a guide to do that?

I also have one more problem, when I start my car at any temp it idles at about 1500 rpm and then slowly goes down until warmed up, then it idles at about 700rpm. Does anyone know what could cause this, maybe the problems are related.

Anyone else have an ideal?

 

[gofer]

I have a 1991 auto gsx. Its winter now and my car starts fine, but if I leave my car in my garage all day and try to start it it might take up to 10 cranks. In fact it starts faster in -20 below weather then it does at room temp. It seems like my COOLANT TEMP GAUGE is reading fine, its not jumping around or anything like that.

Any Ideals?

Heres your problem right here. The (2) prong sensor in your t-stat housing sends the coolant temperature signal to the ECU, which is used for FT operations. The (1) prong sensor in your t-stat housing sends the coolant temp signal to the gauge, thats it. It has nothing to do whether or not your ECU is getting a good coolant temp signal.

Since its a 1g CTS the odds of it being bad wiring going to the back of it are pretty good. Check the wires at the connector before you replace the sensor itself, if they're bad repair it like the drawing below...

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[dsmcoder]

Thanks that makes sense, I will check this out. Do you think this is why it idles high when I fist start it also?

I could not find a bad connection in the wires. I unplugged the sensor and started my car and nothing changed, is it supposed to be like this?