Road trip

Forgot about that, shop owner did say it could have some vacuum leaks.

Thanks for that info, Mike. Could just messing with that solenoid fix it?

 

You can't flash the codes with a jumper wire? I'd be shocked if you couldn't on a car that old.

 

If the solenoid is stuck out a bit your idle will be too high and you will get a Check Engine light after a bit too. Make sure the throttle on the carb is bottoming out. If it's not, that solenoid rod most likely is stuck/jammed. Push or twist it back in, and if it won't move itself, you can uncrew the entire solenoid from it's mount a bit until the throttle is able to fully close.

Try it!

-Mike

 

OK, did a bit of investigation. Took off the air cleaner. Found what appears to be the idle speed solenoid (front of carb, driver's side). Doesn't really look like the one in your pic though, Mike. Saw that there was a vacuum line that seemed to be pinched a bit there between the solenoid and something else. Got the line unpinched. Checked the solenoid itself (or what I think is the solenoid). Doesn't seem to be a diaphram/piston type device - just a rod going into it with a 'stop' for the linkage on the end of the rod.

Anyways, took it for a short test drive, and it seems better, but still idling a bit high.

 

Hi Marshall!

I remember you saying the idle was running a bit high since you got it back from your mechanic back home. I'm wondering if the mechanic accidentally adjusted it to high when doing whatever work the car was originally in for, OR if he may have intentionally set it a little higher to compensate for something..? This would then make me wonder what was he asked to do in the first place that would have him fiddling with the idle speed. I'm no mechanic, but I think the dieseling is related to the fast idle. (My understanding of dieseling is that it is caused by continued combustion of fuel in the chambers after the spark has been turned off..?) If this is true, then would it stand to reason that the fuel/air mixture is off as well (and would that trip the check engine light?)?

I'm probably being of no help here, but just my pennies worth of thought process. If you're back up my way before you head home, I can recommend you to my mechanic to whom I had trusted my wagon's care. He's a couple blocks from where you and I had lunch on Lincoln Blvd.

 

I'm just driving it home tomorrow night.........will deal with it later.

 

Left for home Thanksgiving evening around 7. Got home Friday morning a bit after 11. (Slept for an hour or so around 4 AM in a rest stop south of Redding.) Trip was totally uneventful. Slapped a piece of electrical tape over the 'check engine' light so I wouldn't have to stare at it.

And I didn't miss a Thanksgiving meal. The daughter's BF is a cook by profession, and he made a fantastic dinner - turkey, flat-bread pizza, veggies, home-made butternut squash-based soup that was to die for. I went light on the eating due to the drive.

Wagon will need some attention, but nothing critical.

More later, gotta go...

Marshall

 

Glad to hear you had a great Thanksgiving and made it home without "events", Marshall! Was great meeting you!

Keep us posted on the wagon's next check-up?

 

Glad to here you both are home safe and sound...well safe anyway.

 

Glad to hear it as well. And like he said, keep us posted on whatever you find.

 

Marshall, to check for codes, take a paper clip and turn it into a U. Jumper the top right hand 2 connections on the diagnostic connector under the dash. Turn on the ignition and count the flashes. That is all there is to it on that car. Thank heavens our cars in Canada were simpler still! We did not have the feedback system, just a normal, every day, easy QuadraJet carburetor. I have had one feedback carb, and never again!

 

Thanks for the tip, Mike.

Right now, the WBM is on the back burner, other things to attend to.

Had a great trip to So Cal, visiting with Becky (#2 daughter), and also meeting Matt (Glide-Aways). Had an invite to meet Rick (Shelby18) and see his beautiful '59's - Country Squire and Colony Park, but the timing didn't work out. I was a bit concerned about SoCal traffic and not being able to get to already-scheduled items on time. Didn't get to go the L.A. Auto Show either, for pretty much the same reason, after the 'Check Engine' light episode.

After driving 900 miles on Thursday/Friday, I turned around and drove 250 more miles on Saturday visiting Shannon (#1 daughter) and her BF in Lincoln City. Drove the Edge this time. Man, the Edge is a nice cruiser.......