Carburetor or battery or?????

[Mr.Cutloose]

So I did a load test on my battery and it failed. 500 CCAs battery with a 250A load test brought it down to a very poor 7.4V. I'm getting a new one asap. The thing that gets me is that if my olds idles for like a couple minutes the check engine light comes on and the idle speed drops down till the light goes away which is usually within a minute or two. Could it be the battery doing that or do I need something else like a carburetor? Or is it something else? Cause it actually has a rebuilt carb on it. I dont know though exactly what it is!

[Oldsguy]

I don't think it would be the carburetor. You should look more closely at your charging system; primary wiring, grounds, alternator, regulator. I bet you will find a problem in there somewhere which, by the way is probably the cause of the problem you described. Your battery may not be the cause of this, just a casualty.

[Oldsguy]

moved thread to electrical forum

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by Mr.Cutloose

So I did a load test on my battery and it failed. 500 CCAs battery with a 250A load test brought it down to a very poor 7.4V. I'm getting a new one asap. The thing that gets me is that if my olds idles for like a couple minutes the check engine light comes on and the idle speed drops down till the light goes away which is usually within a minute or two. Could it be the battery doing that or do I need something else like a carburetor? Or is it something else? Cause it actually has a rebuilt carb on it. I dont know though exactly what it is!

Um, what year car? Have you determined if there are any stored codes in the computer?

[Mr.Cutloose]

its a 1985 joe ...the thing that throws me off is that i replaced the alternator on it about 4-5 years ago...and its not like i drive it everyday but not to where i have to charge the battery just to drive it again...but yeah i dont know about stored codes on the computer...that car is 24 years old and im still finding odd things about it lol

[Oldsguy]

Any news yet? Get any codes?

[Mr.Cutloose]

i got a code reader for it finally and it says that the tps is sending a low reference signal...and already i know i cant fix it myself because of two reasons...one i have no tools and two im not smart enough about how to actually replace a tps

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by Mr.Cutloose

i got a code reader for it finally and it says that the tps is sending a low reference signal...and already i know i cant fix it myself because of two reasons...one i have no tools and two im not smart enough about how to actually replace a tps

Before you replace the TPS, check the connector and wires. This is the three wire connector on the driver's side of the front of the carb. Unplug the connector, spray some contact cleaner, and fully seat it when you remate. Verify that none of the wires have rubbed through or have broken spots. An intermittent problem like this could be wiring or connector related.

If all that fails to fix the problem, it probably is the TPS. The sensor is located inside the carb and is actuated by a plunger that bears against the underside of the accelerator pump arm. There is also an adjustment required if it is ever disturbed or replaced.