Official Thread for posting daily FE updates

[diamondlarry]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

How far did you have to push it?

Shhhhhh! Don't tell all of my secrets. Funny you would mention being so close. When I pulled into the lot on segment 8, I was at 59.9 and thought, "I would have to do something stupid to not make it now." I have changed my technique a little in the last couple of days. I was accelerating with a TPS reading of 15 to my target speed then I would start my glide. I have increased the acceleration rate to an average of 25. This allows me more time gliding with the engine off. Another thing that could have a minor effect is that I disconnected my idle speed control. This allows the engine to idle closer to 600 rpm's or below instead of the 950-1000 it was doing before.

[BeeUU]

zpiloto
Thanks for the link, I missed it during my search. I might fill today, I am finally past the 1/4 tank, that should be around 5 gallons. The suspense is killing me.....

[BeeUU]

I have started getting good at EOC and it is paying off!! I did fill up (5.25 gal) and returned a 38 mpg tank!!! This is FUN. I am feeling confident enough to use it on the freeway during my commute!! Good stuff.

[cfg83]

diamondlarry -

Originally Posted by diamondlarry

Shhhhhh! Don't tell all of my secrets. Funny you would mention being so close. When I pulled into the lot on segment 8, I was at 59.9 and thought, "I would have to do something stupid to not make it now." I have changed my technique a little in the last couple of days. I was accelerating with a TPS reading of 15 to my target speed then I would start my glide. I have increased the acceleration rate to an average of 25. This allows me more time gliding with the engine off. Another thing that could have a minor effect is that I disconnected my idle speed control. This allows the engine to idle closer to 600 rpm's or below instead of the 950-1000 it was doing before.

I have been staring under the hood of my Saturn for days now, and I can't find the idle speed control connector. Can you tell me where it is ?

CarloSW2

[diamondlarry]

Can you see the TPS connector? If so, the idle speed contol connector is just below that and slightly closer to the firewall. Does that help any? If not, I will try to get some pictures tomorrow.

[skewbe]

Originally Posted by cfg83

diamondlarry -



I have been staring under the hood of my Saturn for days now, and I can't find the idle speed control connector. Can you tell me where it is ?

CarloSW2

Look between the manifold and the firewall by the throttle valve(the thing that moves when you move the gas pedal).

There's two plugs, the higher one is the TPS, the lower one should be the idle speed motor. (if it starts throwing codes and accelerates funny then I got it backwards)

Anyway you have to unplug it WHILE the engine running and idling where you want it.

My wife has been driving the automatic like this for a few days now (in neutral when stopped), it is manageable so far.

[diamondlarry]

Originally Posted by skewbe

Look between the manifold and the firewall by the throttle valve(the thing that moves when you move the gas pedal).

There's two plugs, the higher one is the TPS, the lower one should be the idle speed motor. (if it starts throwing codes and accelerates funny then I got it backwards)

Anyway you have to unplug it WHILE the engine running and idling where you want it.

My wife has been driving the automatic like this for a few days now (in neutral when stopped), it is manageable so far.

Good point! Thanks, I forgot to mention that. The way I figured out which plug was which was by turning the ignition to run(I didn't start the engine) and stepped on the gas. The first connector I unplugged was the wrong one and the TPS remained at 0. The correct plug is very difficult to see.

Edit: The correct plug is the lower one.

[cfg83]

Hello -

My car is getting an oil change and brake fix, so I drove my wife's 2003 Civic Coupe EX (auto tranny) to work today.

I didn't do any GasSaver driving techniques other than gentle driving because it's not my car. The following is what the ScanGauge read for the trip.

MPG : 43.7
Route : 10 West -> 710 South -> 105 West -> 405 South -> Exit Freeway
Miles : 28.5
MPH Avg: 49
MPH Max : 68
RPM Max : 2909
Gallons : 0.7

Net Elevation Change : ~210 feet drop

Weather : 58.5 degrees F, fair, 32% Humidity, 30.1 degrees F Dew Point
Time : ~11:30 AM to ~12:00 PM, ~30 minutes

Conclusions : I think that with Pulse and Glide (mild kind, engine running in neutral) on a hot dry day, I could move this car up to 50 MPG for this route.

[cfg83]

diamondlarry-

Originally Posted by diamondlarry

Good point! Thanks, I forgot to mention that. The way I figured out which plug was which was by turning the ignition to run(I didn't start the engine) and stepped on the gas. The first connector I unplugged was the wrong one and the TPS remained at 0. The correct plug is very difficult to see.

Edit: The correct plug is the lower one.

You mean the connector to that little teeny RC looking motor? I was expecting something at least the size of 1/2 a beer can. That little golf ball sized thing is telling my 1.9L engine to idle faster and rob me of what, maybe 400 RPM and the subsequent GPH?!?!?!?!

I got a Mitchel On-Demand CD manual for Saturns for 10 bucks on Ebay, and I can't find any reference to this motor at all .

EDIT : Or is it actually an "idle control valve" like so :


CarloSW2

[diamondlarry]

Oops! I forgot to take pictures. I'm not sure what the actual controller looks like since it's difficult to see the connector let alone the controller.