Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Water Pump Fixed - Will Not Idle Correctly

I posted a couple of weeks ago regarding my engine overheating, and the mechanic wanting to change the head gaskets. I took the advice you guys gave and replaced the water pump first...good thing I did, since the impeller was split in two.

I got the whole thing back together, and the pump seems to be working, unfortunately, I cannot get the engine to idle at anything over ~500 RPM (it usually just stalls out). I've found I can actually drive the thing as long as I don't have to STOP.

I've read the Haynes manual and it gave a procedure for having the engine re-learn the idle. Doesn't seem to work for me, though. It never idles at the right speed.

Any ideas on possible causes? I did notice when I took the battery out, the cables were all corroded, and it doesn't seem to have a full charge (even though it has no problems turning the engine over). Should I replace the battery, or just head straight for a dealer. I feel I'm getting to the limits of my mechanical abilities...

Are you sure you have all of the broken plastic waterpump impellar out?

I'm pretty sure I got it all out - the two pieces make up almost all of the impeller. There may be a couple slivers floating around, but I flushed the system and couldn't find anything else.

Idle is controlled by the Idle Air Control valve.

Concentrate your attention there.

Steve

make sure you did not touch the wiring harness to the Idle Air control valve, if you did it might be loose or off and this would give you that very,very low idle and kill on you.. right by the firewall on the drivers side..... look in the haynes book for it.....

I figured it out! Apparently while getting the old water pump out, I accidently knocked one of the vacuum hoses loose. As soon as I replaced it, the car idled smoothly, and has survived it's first 30 mile commute.

Thanks everyone!