idle conrtrole question.

[jackhines15]

on a c20xe out of a astra mrk2 what controles the idle and the cold start? where can i find this?

i ask because when i start my engine cold or warm it doesnt seem to come back off cold start. also the car runs rich could this be related?

[craig green]

The idle control valve (ICV) is down under the SFI box with 2 hoses coming off it in an L shape. Its best accessed from underneath. It should have a green plug going to it (not red - knock sensor).

The cold start/choke ehatever is controlled by the coolant temp sensor. Blue screw in sensor on the thermostat housing. Renew this if it looks aged & make sure the wiring on its plug are in good shape.

[jackhines15]

great thanks. is it at all possible to fix these parts or would i need to buy new ones? the thromostat housng is located where the top rad house comes in? is this right? if it is i dnt think i have any wires coming from there. :(

[craig green]

Thermostat housing comes off the cylinder head & enters the top of the rad behind the drivers headlamp. You should have a 2 pinned CTS & a dash temp gauge sender iirc with a single blue wire on it.

You can flush the ICV through with carb cleaner & degunk it. It will need a light oil afterwards theough so it doesnt jam up dry.

The CTS does need to be new though. You can buff them up so they conduct the temp properly from the water but some really poor running can stem from these basic sensors. Go new & genuine. Less than £20 iirc from a main Vauxhall stealership.

[let_nova]

autovaux, around £10

[craig green]

autovaux, around £10

pattern?

[let_nova]

bosch

[craig green]

ooh

[jackhines15]

right tosound like a right fool what does 'iirc' mean lol

[craig green]

if i remember correctlee

[jackhines15]

just realised as i am still running the nova temp sender and havent got it connected to the ecu is it posible that this is stoppin it from running right? just an idea.

[craig green]

Its nothing to do with the dash temp gauge readout.

[jackhines15]

ok thanks will have a play about over the weekend see what i can di with it!

[craig green]

Donr be alarmed if the temp gauge (single pin) isnt on the stat housing. It might be on the inlet manifold. My memory of my XE's is flaky.