I got it running!, But...... Options

[Cjllong]

Hello all,

So, a new fuel pump, double relay, computer, and other stuff, I finally got my 914 running. I replaced the throttle valve switch with another I just happened to have around, and it started up. But, it died a few minutes later when I moved some wires. AH HAAA! I thought, a bad ground. I found the bad ground in terminal 85 of the double relay. (I had suspected it prior.) I spliced the wire just outside the relay box and wired in a small jumper cable, but also wired the original back together. I connected the jumper to a ground, (metal portion of the vehicle) and the car roared to life again! Here's where it gets weird. I followed the original ground wire to one of the three ground wires located on the passenger side, below the intake. I disconnected it and the motor died. I reconnected it, and it lived. Then I disconnected the jumper, and it died. I reconnected it, and it lived. In short, both grounds need to be connected in order for the engine to run. I tested the original wire with an ohm meter it tested good. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif) Any ideas on what's wrong here? Also, the engine wants to die when I push the throttle only a little bit. If I push it far enough, it kicks in and then I can slowly bring it back down again. The motor also idles rough. Is there a way to fine tune the idle? You guys have been a great help so far, keep the ideas comming!

Chris

[BMXerror]

Which engine and fuel system? On D-jets after I think 71 (I'm not sure because I have a 70) there's an idle mixture adjustment screw on the ECU. There's also the bypass valve on the throttle body that controls idle speed. That's the only idle adjustment that I know of.
With the electrical problem, it's hard for me to help from here, especially not knowing the vehicle. It's a wierd one, for sure. What reading do you get with the ohm meter on that ground wire? Also, have you checked to make sure the jumper wire you're using is in good shape? The only thing I would suspect is that you have two weak, but not totally open connections, and the two of them collectively make up the ground. The fault could also be corrosion at the ground connection. Make sure it's clean. I'm not the best of help when it comes to these things, but nobody else chimed in, so I'm who you've got. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Like I said though, tell me your type of vehicle, and maybe I can help you work through it. Meanwhile, I'll let my mind chew on it and see what I can come up with. Don't lose hope.
Mark D.