(Home) idle up

I've had my towny for a year now, and still dunno what the idle up is.
Please tell.




Colin

- (#580) Colin, 8 Apr 05 22:27

the idel up is for when you are parked up & you want the heaters on. the idea being that the engine runs slightly faster than tick over alone to give more heat

- (#580) e.g.fullick, 8 Apr 05 23:09

Worth mentioning that it will only do somthing when the fans are on.
Also in aces with a/c it helps give more power to the a/c compressor.

- (#580) Matt , 9 Apr 05 15:58

I understand what it's for and when it's on ... but can someone tell me where the ''idle up switch' is?
and .... mine is idling fast all the time .. can I adjust it? Why did it suddenly start idling fast all the time .. did I leave the aircon on ? if so, how do i switch it off?
Thanks to anyone who can help a relative newbie again !
Peter
2.2 1993 super extra.

- (#580) peter, 9 Apr 05 16:38

Some models don't have an idle-up switch...

Idling fast? Did it happen by itself or after some service operation? Running the aircon shouldn't result in a fast idle as the load of the compressor acts against it.
Check the coolant flow at the thermowax on the front of the injection pump- it's not unknown for them to block up and if the coolant doesn't operate the thermowax you'll have a fast and slightly advanced idle.

- (#580) David Miller, 10 Apr 05 03:59

Thanks, I'll try looking at that ... but it happened all by itself 3 nights ago..no service op .. Just noticed it when waiting for some lights ... now it's at about 1050rpm and i don't like the idea of increased fuel consumption 'cos I'm running 2500miles next week...
How do i get it down to 750 if its not the coolant ?
Peter

- (#580) peter, 11 Apr 05 15:54

and .... ''advanced'' idle ? on a diesel ? I didn't know there was such a thing... shows how much I don't know ...
Peter

- (#580) peter, 11 Apr 05 15:57

Yes, injection timing is advanced when cold to compensate for (amongst many) slower ignition at the lower intake air temps and differing qualities of the cold fuel.

Assuming that you've checked for loose adjusting screws on the pump and that the aircon is off for sure (F&R...), I'd put money on a problem with the thermowax.
Pull the vacuum hose off the little actuator attached to the idleup linkage just to be sure there's not a leaky solenoid valve or such...

- (#580) David Miller, 11 Apr 05 17:02

My 2c carina woundnt release idle up so I pulled the vacuum hose of the idle up solenoid and stuffed the hose with a twig. I have no a/c idle up now, but have removed the high idle problem. I spent an hour trying to figure out the vacuum hoses circuit and decided this was becoming too much time spent, and took this short cut. *Must only use a/c when moving* so as not to load slow idle engine with a/c load. Try ace answers for idle up solenoid...

- (#580) Frank, 11 Apr 05 19:08

Thanks Dave and Frank,
I'll give it a go today or tomorrow ... looking for the solenoid now ...
peter

- (#580) peter, 12 Apr 05 02:14

mmmmmm - didn't find the details or pic in AA - can you tell me which section it's in and the heading for the pic?
I'm reluctant to grope around in the dark without pic or schematic diag.
peter

- (#580) peter, 12 Apr 05 02:34

Maybe they havnt a pic..

- (#580) frank, 12 Apr 05 06:07

Ouch!!

me again ...
I just KNEW that this would open up a can of worms.!!
I had a look this morning ... switched on the engine, checked the idle screws put the fan on (setting 1) and, after taking a deep breath, switched on the a/c. Result, the idle up mechanism responded immediately with the linkage moving the acc lever a little BUT .... a big scream from the a/c unit pulley under the fan ...just like a fanbelt slipping, which it wasn't! Screamed for about 20 secs and then the 'idle up' linkage clicked back and the a/c inner wheel stopped turning. It's a type of 'clutch' i guess.
OOOOPS! So, quickly shut off the a/c and switched it back on ... nothing - no movement from the inner wheel ... waited 3 mins and try again... this time more screaming and 20 secs later the same shut off of the idle up and inner compressor wheel stops.
Waited 3 mins and tried again .... my thinking was it might be lack of use ... I never use the a/c and it probably hasn't been switched on for years.
This time it ran for 20 secs screaming, then stopped screaming and ran for about another 20 secs and screamed and stopped again. I thought 'in for a penny' so tried again ... same result ... and again .. better, quieter scream but shut down after 30 secs .....each time the idleup linkage did it's job and relaxed automatically when the a/c unit stopped.
Now, I have to admit that i don't know how to use the air con controls so i might have the settings wrong inside the cab ... it occurred to me that the shut down might be because i have the a/c controls set to zero .. so, tried putting everything on middle setting, front and back and same result ......
Then, to add insult to injury i took the bus for a spin to the local shops and the glow plug light came on intermittently and i don't know what that's about either !!!
My housewifes handbook is not helpful, it doesn't go through the a/c controls or recommendations at all ... I just don't know what to think now .... everything had been so good ...
are there any simple explanations?
Peter
- (#580) peter, 12 Apr 05 06:13

Aircon use - temp on coldest, direction - face and feet or just feet, air on recirc, blower on full, then aircon switch in. Remember you have a seperate zone and controls in the back.

Your screech could be the belt tension or the bearing in the compressor which is replaceable. I actually quietened mine by repeatedly squirting engine oil into it. Unorthodox I know but it worked for me - well I had to get lucky sometime!

- (#580) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 12 Apr 05 06:36

Ok - thanks Ian and Nick ...
not the belt ... i can see it going round smoothly with the inner wheel
I'll try squirting oil everywhere ... can't do anything too bad 'cos if it's trashed, it's trashed, - if it isn't then it might work ...
then I'll try to deep freeze the cab with the aircon full on ..
Peter

- (#580) peter, 12 Apr 05 11:50