I tried searching idle issues in the archives of evom, but didn't see anything that sounded like my issue.

We own an 02 Lancer OZ Rally. It has a lightened pulley and an RMR short ram intake for mods. Both mods have about 20k miles on them with no problems.

Recently it started dying coming to a stop. Then it wouldn't start when it died in front of a friends house. Turned out the battery terminal broke, so I replaced it with a slightly heftier one and now starts like a champ. However it still idles very low (in the 400-600rpm range) while coming to a hard stop. When coming to a long stop it doesn't do it as much.

There isn't a CEL at all. I haven't scanned for codes because there isn't a CEL on. I'm thinking a possible vacuum leak but no CEL throws me off that thought. I also thought may be a bad MAF since the SRI uses an oiled filter, but again no CEL throws me off. It had a tune up (plugs and wires) about 15k miles ago. Next thing I was going to do is pull the plugs, but haven't had time.

Does this ring a bell for anyone? Anyone have any tips for figuring this out?

 

Sounds like the learning process for the car. Since you have an aftermarket intake on your car, everytime the battery is disconnected, it resets the settings and the ecu has to relearn. I think they say you should let your car idle by itself for like 15 min. and then it will still act kinda funny for about 50-100 miles is my understanding while its relearning all of its previous settings. Thats what it sounds like to me anyways, but Im sure others will shed light on it too.

 

That thought did cross my mind... We've put about 30 miles on it since. Maybe I'll disconnect it and let it idle for 15 min then drive it a bunch to see what I can do.

BTW... wow creswell oregon? I didn't think anyhone lived there

 

Lol, surprised to see anyone from here even in oregon period lol. If that doesnt help, we'll see if something else is up, but that is really very clearly what it sounds like to me. I know anytime you have aftermarket intakes, it messes with the settings upon taking the battery off and putting it back on. I remember when I first put my K&N on my car and I thought I just ruined my car. It was pretty bad lol. And as far as people in oregon, I see youve got english racing in your signature so I wonder if you happen to know Lil Joe with the silver evo from creswell.

 

You dont need to disconnect it again. It will learn again in time. Even without an aftermarket intake the ECU still has to relearn the idle whenever the battery becomes disconnected. I've done it about 10 times. After about 4 or 5 short drives it comes around.

 

I was planning on driving it tonight... but looks wife the wife stole the keys going to school >_<.

I'll report back soon to verify if that is what it was. Thanks for the help guys!!!

Doesn't ring a bell, I know cars more than names

 

The stock idle on an 03 and similar years is 700 =/- 100 RPM if your OZ is idling at any idle between 600 to 800 it is normal as long as there is no hesitation or missfire if so then you have deeper problems to worry about than a low idle issue, the most common problem with the 2.0 SOHC (1999cc) Mitsu. motor i have come across is IAC (Idle Air Control motor) or MAF sensor ( Mass Air-Flow), also you may want to have the timing checked, I recommend changing your timing setup anywhere after 100k miles of normal driving conditions provided you have kept up on your maintenance records and around 75 to 80k miles if you drive like i do lol! now to my problem?!? I am the proud 2nd owner of a 2003 OZ Rally and i have been having trouble with my idle fluctuating between 500 and 1050 RPM only at a stop though, it doesnt do it all the time just occasionally, i have checked all power and grounds, and serviced the throttlebody, IAC, MAF, and done a tune up, the only thing i can think of is the Timing Tensioner is weak and causing my timing to advance and retard as it wishes lol, please any ideas? I may work at a garage but we never get Mitsu's in our shop for more than an oil change or tires, this is the reason i bought mine has anyone done the timing assy. on theirs?

Also the previous owner was a dumbass and cut the downstream CAT off the car but left the O2 sensor on the pipe and added a straight pipe to the muffler, could this cause my idle issue?
__________________________________________________ _______________
03 Lancer OZ Rally, Borla Racing Exhaust, Short Throw Shift
Its a family car, but it will knock the dick off your Mustang!!!!

Delirious Creations - Charleston, WV

 

The issue solved itself. It must have just been re-learning everything after the battery cable went bad.

As far as your test pipe and o2 sensor... yes that will cause irregular idle. If you get a CEL eliminator or antifouler and drill it out, you can get it to start reading correctly.

http://www.roadracemotorsports.com/s...products_id=36

 

Ok, i may not know fully your issue, but i can cut out some of this. Are you throwing any codes first off. Secondly, I highly doubt the straight pipe or missing cat is the culprit. Ive been running without one for quite some time now with no symptoms. Also, ive done the timing assembly, and I had read a thread where a cert. mitsu mechanic had never ever ever ever ever seen a timing belt tensioner fail on a lancer, not to say they dont, but that was something to take into consideration. What I would be most definitely looking for is some kind of vacuum leak as the culprit. We dont have many vacuum lines so that should be easy to check for.

 

no present codes and if im not mistaken Imports dont store history codes even for OBDll, We have a MODIS at the shop that i'm going to hook up to the car to do some Mode6 diagnostics tomorrow i'm leaning towards possible fuel cutout? but i'll check my vacum lines and compare to diagrams, thanks Lancerman! you must as well be a mechanic

Has Anyone had a problem out of thier turn Signals? or high beams? i'm thinking i may have a switch issue

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03 Lancer OZ Rally!!!! its a family car but it knocks the dick off your Mustang
Cold Air, Short Shift, Race Clutch, Test Pipe with Borla Race Exhaust

 

ok guys found my trouble codes, someone had disabled my service engine light, i hooked our MODIS up to the OZ and im throwing a Bank one Sensor one Lean Condition O2 sensor code but im also getting a Fuel Temperature Sensor Range / Performance code i'm no expert but couldnt this Fuel code be setting off my lean condition on my O2? but my big question is has anyone ever had this problem out of thier Lancers?

Thanks Bros,
James