Please Help.. Car Will Not Idle

[jkt90eclipse]

Hi.. Im new here and have a real big problem and i dont know what to do. I have a 1990 1.8 liter 5 speed Eclipse. My problem is when I crank the car, if Im not pressing the gas, it will cut off on me instantly. When driving, it stalls when I stop, but sometimes I hear a clicking noise and it will idle just as smooth, but after a few seconds I will hear the clicking again and if Im not pressing the gas, it stalls. Can anybody help me??

[jkt90eclipse]

Whoops, forgot to mention, black smoke also comes out of the muffler...

[gthompson97]

have you checked normal maintenence things like plugs and wires?

make sure you're getting fuel and spark on all 4 cylinders and that your timing is correct. if i'm not mistaken, the 90 1.8's came with distributors so just get a timing light and set the timing.

[jkt90eclipse]

Yeah, ive put new spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, all of that is new.. still wont idle.. any other suggestions?

[gthompson97]

just because you put all new stuff in doesn't mean it will start. did you actually check to see if you're getting spark at the end of the plugs, or did you just assume it? make sure you're getting spark and fuel pressure. also run a compression test.

[rounder]

I had a problem like that and I replaced the plugs and wires and one plug was burnt out. that fixed the problem.