steering wheel, and idle

[corvette66]

I have a really bad steering wheel with terrible rips. I really don't want to spend $200-400 on new wheel restoration. Can I buy just the leather wrap, and redue it myself? It looks like it might be tough to do, but I think I may be able to do it.

Also my car is ilde'n weird. It runs fine, and always starts up. But it idles at about 1400 then down to 900 then 1400 and back to 900 etc. just repeats all the time. up and down sometimes higher sometimes lower, i have seen it run as low as 600 and high as 1800 ???????????? usually at 1400 and 900 though


thanx

 

[taegdh]

Check to make certain that your throttle body is clean and that you have no vaccuum leaks. 20 Y/O hoses become easily perforated, and you frequently have to spray the hoses down with soapy water to find the small holes......


I had a similar problem a while back and I seem to remember that I also had codes indicating EGR, which I replaced. Took the better part of a day.

 

[corvette66]

hmmm

Funny thing, couple months ago I had an EGR code show up. But it has since gone away. I have just checked it 10 minutes ago. I am now showing a Code 33 and 36.

code 33- "Mass air flow (MAF) sensor- signal voltage or frequency is high during engine idle. OR Manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor- signal voltage is high during engine idle."

code 36- "Mass air flow (MAF) sensor burn off circuit problem. OR Direct ignition system (DIS) fault- loss of 24X signal or extra or missing pulses in electronic spark timing (EST) signal. OR Ignition system fault- loss of high Resolution Pulse signal."

prolly a MAF since i have 2 codes showing up for it??????????????

 

[Moonunit 451]

Wheelskins baby! That's what I used, real leather and looks great for about $30 as I recall. Do a google search and pick the best price. If I get a chance I'll try and figure out where I got it from. Love it.

Is your IAC set proprely?

 

[Moonunit 451]

Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2004 11:46:05 -0700
From: custserv@qualitysmart.com
Reply-To: custserv@qualitysmart.com
To: Moonunit@Forus.com
Subject: Quality Smart Inc Order Receipt


Thank you for shopping at Quality Smart Inc, we appreciate your business!


========== GENERAL INFORMATION ==========
Company Name: Quality Smart Inc
Date/Time: 3/23/2004


========== ORDER INFORMATION ==========
Payment Method: MasterCard
Order: OnlineOrder_00001251


Item Name: Wheelskins one color leather steering wheel cover
* Color: Black
* Size: Custom Size
* Year, Make and Model: 1986 Corvette
Part# WSC86-89-01
* Custom Measurements: 14.50 X 4.25
Item #: WSWS
Unit Price: $27.95
Quantity: 1
Ship Method: Priority Mail


Shipping & Handling: $4.55
Grand Total: $32.50


Provide any special instructions:

 

[vetteboy86]

Moonunit that is a sweet looking job. I really like it, when my wheel gets bad enough we will have to trade secrets. As to corvette66's problem, I would look at those relays. The power and burnoff relay. I know on my bro's 87 he had a rough idle condition with the surging you are explaining. He threw the MAF code and we replaced the relay's. It cost about 17.99 and took prolly a half hour. No problems since. I hope you get it worked out.


Craig

 

[corvette66]

hmm

hey moonunt. that looks pretty good for a $27 fix. I'll have to check that out. How does it feel? since it goes over the existing skin, which is thick to begin with

Is there any way to test the MAF sensor? The wire is still in there

I'll have to look in my manual and see if i can locate these burn off sensors, and MAP sensor relays

 

[Vettefan87]

You can unplug the MAF and if the car runs the same condition or maybe a little better then its bad. If the car runs worse then it is good.


Justin

 

[corvette66]

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I can't find any burn-off sensor, or the MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor. You know where these are located?

Justin, when I unplug the MAF nothing happens, runs exactly the same. So what your say'n is that as soon as i unplug it, it should imediately run bad. What if i have another problem, like a bad MAP sensor. IF I unplug the MAF the car will still run bad because of the faulty MAP. So i really don't know for sure if it's the MAF. right, or is that wrong? i don't know anything about sensors

thanx

 

[limomanb]

Hey MoonUnit....what is entailed in putting that steering wheel cover on? Fairly easy? I could use one too.

 

[corvette66]

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I just found the Wheelskins covers in the Eklers catelog. pg 29 in my book. $34.99 All years and colors

Still looking for the sensors, can't even find them in the shop manual. But i noticed just a minute ago, that my #7 plug wire near the plug itself is all swelling up like a balloon. Have you ever seen this? Maybe I am having these trouble codes due to missfiring plug.

 

[Moonunit 451]

Hey MoonUnit....what is entailed in putting that steering wheel cover on? Fairly easy? I could use one too.

I love the feel of it, had a cheapo plastic one on the beat up wheel when I bought it. The info above was the cheapest I could find, and they were very quick to ship. Don't bother contacting Wheelskins directly pricewise.

It comes with instructions and all required materials. You can see where you have to stitch it toward the inner diameter of the wheel. The leather is very soft and nice. The only thing that I did beyond the provided instructions was to sok it in cool water for about 20 min prior to installing. This makes the leather a little more plyable during the install, and then shrinks ever so slightly when it dries for a tight, excellent fit! Took about an hour and a half.

It will show slightly the imperfections under it when it shrinks, but for at least $200 savings, I'm delighted with it. See the small line on the outside of the wheel right under the spoke? That's the stitching material running under the cover crossing to the otherside of the spoke to continue lacing. There is enough lacing provided that you could actually tie it off and cut it on each side of the spoke, but I didn't know I had enough and that's not how the directions read. I don't know if I woud do that anyway though.

 

[vetteboy86]

Corvette66

Are you talking about the burn off and power relays for the MAF. They are located behind the battery, right under the cruise control servo. Also do you know anyone else with an 85-91. If so you can use there MAF and see if you get a trouble code when the car is running. I will check and see if I can check in the book for your MAP sensor.

Craig

 

[vetteboy86]

Corvette66

The MAP sensor is located at the left rear corner of the intake manifold. I will go out and try to locate it so I can give better instructions. I just pulled this quick from the haynes manual. I will also look in another manual for more detailed location.

Craig

 

[First C4]

What should the idle RPM be? I thought I read it should be 400-600? When I first got my vette it idled at 1000 then I adjusted the idle using the manual. I do not remember the idle RPM though.

 

[corvette66]

from what everyone has told me, and what I have noticed over the years, should idle around 900-1000 thats average for all cars usually. I had a C3 1978 it usually idle at 800. But had a performance carb.