My girlfriend just picked up an '83 280ZX a couple of days ago. Since it's been here I've done basic maintenance on it to make sure it's running fresh. I added an Engine Flush then changed the oil and put in an additive that is supposed to quiet valve clicking, Dumped in a bottle of injector cleaner (Techron and filled the tank with 93 oct), flushed out the power steering, etc. The only problem that existed at this point was that the idle was fairly low (500-650) and if you hit the gas and let off real fast you'd sometimes stall. This car is an automatic so I was a little confused as to what the problem was. But, the car did run and went through the gears smoothly and without issue. So, everything was going fine until I cleaned the bottom side of the hood (which was covered with black soot/grease) and the engine bay. I throughly dried everything (blower) and let the car idle for awhile to ensure any excess water was evaporated. Now, today when I took the car for a drive it won't go over 2200 rpms. When I get to that point it just bounces (as if hitting a rev limiter). I'm really bummed out about this whole thing, and I can't sleep now so if anyone has any advice please let me know. Right now I disconnected the battery for the night to let the ECU reset.

Best Regards,

Agustin G.

 

99% chance that you still have water in the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) unhook the connection and blow out the water...can of compressed air works great here. Mine did the exact same thing to the T. If you dont know where the TPS is it is on the outside of the throttle body...see pic.

Attachment 5130

 

Give the car another 24 hours to dry out. Chances are that there's moisture in the distributor. I've dealt with this problem numerous times before a car show when I cleaned my engine ... eventually placed aluminum foil over the entire distributor which solved the problem. Also check the vacuum line on the distributor ... it might need to be replaced.

 

my suggestion is with the TPS as mentioned before. Happens every time I wash my engine. I dont' even bother to cover it up...
usually the 'rev limit' is about 2800-3000 rpm though from my experience.

If you bump your idle up with the idle adjustment screw, that might help the stalling issue. (assuming the engine is fully warmed up first)

 

Yeah it was the TPS! Thanks alot guys! I was shitting a brick there for a second lol. I couldn't get the idle raised tho. :/ I'd like it to sit around 800. I found the screw but it's like really stuck, it won't budge and I'm afraid to strip it. It's the bolt sitting on the underside of the TB towards the passerger side right?

 

Is it the TPS connector that gets wet or the TPS itself gets wet and goes bonkers? That could also partially explain why my car would act so goofy. Run it in the day when it's warm. Get home at night as it's cooling down, so the heat from the engine/cold air prolly builds up some nice moisture over there.

 

yes, the slot bolt down inside the cylinder behind the throttle body is the adjustment on the 1982/83 cars.
Spray some WD-40 in there. Turn the screw down a little, then come back out with it as far as it will go. Spray more in there and turn down and then back up. It'll come up a little further each time. Mine was gummed up too. Use a properly sized screwdriver and keep a nice strong pressure down on it so you don't strip the head of that 'bolt'