ROUGH Idle, Attempted tuning,but must be going wrong Options

[eanderson]

Alright, I am just a home mechanic. I have rebuilt the head on this DSM (1993 Eclipse GS w/ 2.0 non-t) a few years ago after a timing belt disaster, had the head resurfaced, etc. I can swap out most any part, but the fine tuning is not my fortay.

I need help.

This is stock. The vehicle was having an idle surge. Cleaned the Throttle Plate and it seemed okay for awhile. All was running well until winter, where it was stalling. Stupid me, I messed with the BISS screw and got it to idle at about 1300 for winter.

Summer came and I messed with the timing and BISS, and it was running rich.

Today, I found the tutorial for timing, and tried it right. I shorted the wire on the frewall for the ignition timing adjustment plug. Then I checked the timing light (off the plug wire closest to the front of the vehicle), and set it to halfway between the T and the 10BTC (I assume to be 5 BTC, as speced). The best I could get was about 900RPM

Then, inside the vehicle, at the diagnostic plug, I shorted the third plug up (it was NOT a pink wire) and the idle changed. I assume this to be the ground. I adjusted the BISS to where the idle was again, around 900.

When I reved the engine, it was misfiring bad. I reconnected everything (removed shorting wires), and it ran worse than when I guessed the timing and BSS, and my eyes stung from the excess CO.

I am guessing I am missing something obvious. WHAT IS THE DEAL?

[The Iron Goat]

If you are able to get a Haynes or Chilton manual for the car, that would be extremely beneficial for moments just like this. The troubleshooting you're planning on doing can be explained here, it's just gets to be a lengthy post.

Pressing onward. I'm not proficient on the 2.0 NA engine, but I believe the coil is checked with a multimeter just like the turbo coil. If you don't have one, pick up a cheap unit at Walmart or something equivalent. Also pull you spark plugs out and check for fouling or a wet cylinder (the wet cylinder means that plug isn't getting any juice from the coil, aka bad plug wire).

There really is so much to check that it would greatly benefit you to get a manual. There's lots of little troubleshooting guides (some good, some horrible) that can help you out with just such an occasion. It'll also give all the specs to look for when doing maintenance.

If this isn't possible for you right now, PM me and I'll take you through the whole process and give you the specs you need.