Odd idling habits and no reverse in the morning

[BustedUjoint]

I have an 04 Wagon. Not much done to it, uppipe, exedy OEM replacement clutch, axle back prodrive, Stage 1 flash. I just had the sparks replaced, on top of oil changes, etc. 58k miles.

IDLING ISSUE: I have notice 2 odd things recently. Idling issues being one of them. One issue seems to be more persistent than the other. Once warmed up and sitting at idle, the RPM's seem to flutter a bit. Dropping down to the point where it seems it is almost going to stall, the headlights and cluster lights will dim and then return back to normal. This is happening what seems to be more frequent. It also seems that the headlights dim some while driving, but I still haven't been able to figure out if its my eyes playing tricks on me or if its actually happening.

An other very odd Idle issue that has happened twice. Both on slightly cold damp/rainy days. The RPM's will slowly climb to a 2000-2500k idle. This is already after the engine has warmed up and both times it has happened I had already driven for a good 30 miles. The RPMs will stay there for up to 15 minutes, will not change if I rev it or drive. After the time has passed the RPMs will drop back down to normal as fast or slow as they went up. Odd yes, ideas. . I have none.



RESERVE ISSUE: This issue has sparked up over the passed 2-3 weeks. In the morning when I am leaving for work and let the engine warm up, I go to back out of the driveway, put it into reverse, let out the clutch. . annnddd fail. Nothing, I can put it into reverse, and let the clutch fully out and it will do nothing, no stall, no movement, nothing. After a few attempts of moving forward and letting it roll back it will eventually clunk into gear. It seems to happen most in the morning. . as in every morning, and sometimes randomly after a drive. (Just put in Redline fluid about 2 - 3 months ago)

ideas. . .Bad synchros?


Thanks for any help/ideas on this for I am still worthless when trying to figure some of these issues out.

[SvicksTc]

I was going to say bad syncros, try putting the car in third gear then into reverse and see if it happens like that, if it doesnt could be a syncro issue

as for the idle issue check plugs and coil packs....possibly dirty maf sensor but doubt it... no codes/misfires?

[BustedUjoint]

Originally Posted by SvicksTc

I was going to say bad syncros, try putting the car in third gear then into reverse and see if it happens like that, if it doesnt could be a syncro issue

as for the idle issue check plugs and coil packs....possibly dirty maf sensor but doubt it... no codes/misfires?

Hmm, I will take a look. But no, no codes, no misfires.

[BustedUjoint]

I also have a tactrix cable, so I could take some logs, but wouldn't know what to select or else I would have already posted one up.

[SLVRSUBBIEREX]

mine will fluster sometimes too at idle when the fans kick on and sometimes just out of nowhere and i cant seem to find the problem either. as for the tranny, dont try to put it in reverse while you are moving cuz it will just grind anyway. what kind of redline did u put in it?

[RyanG]

Idle air motor. clean it out buy a new oring from the dealer and flush that badboy out.. very common issue.

as for the reverse, try a different fluid and see if it helps. Does it get better once the car has been driven?

[BustedUjoint]

Originally Posted by SLVRSUBBIEREX

mine will fluster sometimes too at idle when the fans kick on and sometimes just out of nowhere and i cant seem to find the problem either. as for the tranny, dont try to put it in reverse while you are moving cuz it will just grind anyway. what kind of redline did u put in it?

I picked up a full "kit" from JSC found HERE (4 quarts of 75W90 NS gear oil for the transaxle). And I don't pop it in when I'm moving, I guess I left that one open. I will move forward, stop, try reverse. Reverse lights go on, just no moving

Originally Posted by AREA1320

Idle air motor. clean it out buy a new oring from the dealer and flush that badboy out.. very common issue.

as for the reverse, try a different fluid and see if it helps. Does it get better once the car has been driven?

I will have to look around for some info on the IAM, not even sure what that's at, duh. Maybe, if you're lucky, I'll big you on IM later. Thanks for the info on that!
It does definitely get better after being driving, but can still be a little stubborn when trying to back into my spot at work (35 mile commute).
As for a different fluid, what would be the next recommendation after Redline? I have read about these cocktails and all that jazz . . . worth trying?


Someone mentioned trying to put it into 3rd, then reverse. I tried that this morning and it seemed to have worked. . . but now I just can't remember if that was in the driveway or in the parking garage

[BustedUjoint]

Found a link on NASIOC on how to clean the Idle Air Control Valve that Ryan is talking about. . . Figured I would share it.

Cleaning your IACV