Starting Up Question

[Lunaticz28]

I have a question. On the 80 camaro when I start the car up is it normal pushing the gas a little to keep the engine running? Maybe thats how it warms up? Once I push the gas a little it stays on and everything is good.

Also what is it that I need to make my gauges work? I'm scared I'll run out of gas somewhere lol. And whats the price for that?

[Lunaticz28]

Anyone?

[76 camaro car 1]

Sounds like having to hold the pedal til it warms up could be a choke issue. As for the fuel guage not working it could be a number of things,a bad sending unit,a wire,a bad curcuit board on the back of the instrument panel or just a bad guage. I would start at the tank. There is a ground wire that grounds to the end panel close to where the tank neck comes up. Make sure it is achieving a good ground. On top of the tank almost in the center there is a sending unit wire that pushes on the sending unit. Make sure that it has not come loose. If all that is good pull the IP and see the condition of the curcuit board and lastly I would check the guage itself. Good luck with it.

[Lunaticz28]

Originally Posted by 76 camaro car 1

Sounds like having to hold the pedal til it warms up could be a choke issue. As for the fuel guage not working it could be a number of things,a bad sending unit,a wire,a bad curcuit board on the back of the instrument panel or just a bad guage. I would start at the tank. There is a ground wire that grounds to the end panel close to where the tank neck comes up. Make sure it is achieving a good ground. On top of the tank almost in the center there is a sending unit wire that pushes on the sending unit. Make sure that it has not come loose. If all that is good pull the IP and see the condition of the curcuit board and lastly I would check the guage itself. Good luck with it.

Sorry, I didnt mean to say I have to hold the padel down till it warms up. But once I turn my car on sometimes I have to push the pedel to keep it on.

[76 camaro car 1]

Thats fairly common for a cold engine.

[Lunaticz28]

Originally Posted by 76 camaro car 1

Thats fairly common for a cold engine.

Ohh Okay lol thanks. Once I do that and turn it on after its ready. lls thanks!! I just didnt know if I should be worried or not.

[Twisted_Metal]

If it's a stock Q-jet... Tapping the accelerator is how you set the choke on a cold engine.
After it runs for a bit on high idle, you can tap the accelerator pedal again and it should drop to normal idle speed.
(When the choke has warmed up enough to release the fast idle cam.)

The fuel gauge... What does it do now?

[Lunaticz28]

I'm not sure what all that is. Its my first car and I'm 17.

None of the gauges work at all. They dont move or noting.

[Twisted_Metal]

If none of the guages work, the first place I would look is the fuse block for a blown fuse.

[Lunaticz28]

Originally Posted by Twisted_Metal

If none of the guages work, the first place I would look is the fuse block for a blown fuse.

Alright. I'm going to take the car to the shop soon. Hopefully it'll get fixed and not to costly. When I bought the car the guy told me the gauges stop working when he loses traction in the rain. Maybe its just the cables?

[blakestree]

Originally Posted by Twisted_Metal

If it's a stock Q-jet... Tapping the accelerator is how you set the choke on a cold engine.
After it runs for a bit on high idle, you can tap the accelerator pedal again and it should drop to normal idle speed.
(When the choke has warmed up enough to release the fast idle cam.)

I was having sorta this same issue. When I got my car back in December it would, most of the time, cold start and idle on its own. I then figured out that my idles were too low. I adjusted them to where they are supposed to be, with engine warm/choke open. Then, I started finding that I'd have to help it maintain idle speed for a minute or so, or it would stall out after cold starts. This morning, after sitting since Monday, the ambient temperature was warmer than previous weeks. I pumped the accelerator three times. It started right up and idled beautifully, right where it should. Also, Monday morning, I filled it up with the first pure gas it has gotten since I've had it. So, I don't know if it was the change in weather, pure gas, or both?

[Lunaticz28]

Originally Posted by blakestree

I was having sorta this same issue. When I got my car back in December it would, most of the time, cold start and idle on its own. I then figured out that my idles were too low. I adjusted them to where they are supposed to be, with engine warm/choke open. Then, I started finding that I'd have to help it maintain idle speed for a minute or so, or it would stall out after cold starts. This morning, after sitting since Monday, the ambient temperature was warmer than previous weeks. I pumped the accelerator three times. It started right up and idled beautifully, right where it should. Also, Monday morning, I filled it up with the first pure gas it has gotten since I've had it. So, I don't know if it was the change in weather, pure gas, or both?

How do I put it in idle? How do I know when its in idle? Lls sorry!

[blakestree]

Originally Posted by Lunaticz28

How do I put it in idle? How do I know when its in idle? Lls sorry!

Idle is the speed at which your motor runs on its own, without input from your foot on the accelerator. For my car, that is 700 RPM's in Drive and 900 RPM's in Park. For your drivetrain, those numbers may be slightly different.

[Lunaticz28]

Originally Posted by blakestree

Idle is the speed at which your motor runs on its own, without input from your foot on the accelerator. For my car, that is 700 RPM's in Drive and 900 RPM's in Park. For your drivetrain, those numbers may be slightly different.

Alright cool. Thanks!