Installed Cold Air Kit & Now have rough idle

[Jeff Peoples]

As one of my first mods, I installed a Tinman cold air kit. Now I have a terribly cold natured car and a very rough idle even when fully warm. Stumbles badly when coming off idle as well. Cruises fine and runs fine at WOT. Chip is unknown origin, an old one from previous owner. Car was a little cold natured before, but not too bad. Rechecked connections to MAF and inlet air temp, all are fine. What has happened here?

 

[qwks6]

First thing I'd do is look for vac leaks.

 

[Dabigguy]

Did you remove the screens from the MAF, some cars need at least one screen to run properly.

 

[Jeff Peoples]

Did not see any screens, but since I am new to TRs, I would not know what they look like. Anybody got a pic? I will check vacuum lines. Any common problem ones I need to start with? Car is so stock looking, its scary.

 

[Dabigguy]

The screens look like a bee's homeycomb. They help straighten out the airflow before the air crosses the sensor.

 

[1chance]

The screen is inthe air inlet side of the MAF sensor, you need a screen, or at least my car runs bad without one.

 

[TURBOTERRORV6]

The screen is inthe air inlet side of the MAF sensor, you need a screen, or at least my car runs bad without one.

is this your same MAF sensor but just with a new cold air kit?

 

[BlackBandit]

I would try and find out what chip you have. Sounds like the problem may have been there before and the cold air intake just made it worse. Definitely could have something to do with the maf or vacuum lines but if the chip is truly unknown I'd start by getting a different one. Do you have any scan tool data?

 

[Chuck Leeper]

What are the scan tool readings?? You DO have 1, right??

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

before you do ANYTHING, you HAVE to find out what sort of chip is in there, and how it's burned. you need to have a boost gauge, and a scanmaster in the MINIMUM. Otherwise, you've no clue what's goin on inside there.

 

[Jeff Peoples]

No scan tool at this time. I have ordered one from Full Throttle, but they are out of stock right now. I've been thinking about a TT chip. I guess I will order one now. Does anyone have an old screen I can buy to try out?

 

[whitehot1]

So, you said the car ran fine before installing the cai?

The maf wasn't dropped or damaged during the install?

Nothing got disconnected by accident and not hooked back up? all connections/clamps tight?

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

Before you order that chip, make sure you're done with this round of modifications, or else that chip will be in vain. (make sure you got at least one screen in there as well, then, say so when you're ordering that chip) also, until that chip comes in, you have to verify what boost/timing your car is at. Otherwise, how do you know what sort of fuel to put in it? Until you do, keep 94 in it, and stay out of WOT, till you get at least a boost gauge in there.

 

[1chance]

I have the same MAF, and it ran bad without at least 1screen.

 

[Jeff Peoples]

I ordered a TT chip tonight, and noticed that the TT website says to run at least one screen. I think I will order a new MAF to have a spare and get the screens that I am missing. They do all come with screens, don't they? Any preferred brands or sources for a MAF? Are they all remans? I'm considering Rock Auto or Oreilly's, they carry multiple brands.

 

[Turbo6Smackdown]

I hope you asked this question, and found sources BEFORE you ordered the chip right?? lol

 

[TurboMonte 2]

Jeff, I have two (2) used (good-working cond'n) stock/AC Delco MAF's (each with a screen) available ready to ship out==$65 each to your door...

Now available because I switched to LT1 + MAF Translator late last year...

I have Paypal to expedite the transaction...Please advise...

 

[Jeff Peoples]

Thanks for the offers and assistance. I bought a reman MAF from Oreilly's and installed last night. It has the screens. Car cranked and idled as it did before! I suspect the lack of screens in my old MAF was the culprit. I will drive some this weekend to verify all is well. This is the crazy part - the new MAF was $50 (Carmon brand, I believe), with a $45 core charge. So when I return my old one, I will have $5 in the new unit.
Still, I hope the TT chip gives a smoother warm up and idle.

 

[JDEstill]

Something to try:
When I first replaced my stock air filter with an open K&N a decade or so ago the car, which had been running fine, would barely idle. I fought it for a while, then decided to unhook the power to the ECM and clear it's memory, then fired it back up and let it relearn things. Voila - idled perfect again. There was just such a big difference between the stock filter and the new one that the values the ecm had learned were just way way off. Give that a try - it's free!

John