Thanks for the info!  I'm slowly starting to understand.

> The 2.1l engines have a solenoid-operated idle-stabilizer valve with an
> associated control board -- it bleeds air past the throttle plate.

Sounds like one more thing to go bad.  I suppose it probably cures more
things then it causes trouble though.

> The 1.9l engines have a completely electronic circuit that adjusts timing
> on-the-fly at low rpm -- with a properly operating idle stabilizer you
> should see the timing bouncing all around at idle, which is why you have to

Next time I check my idle I'll have to check and see if it bounces around.

> disconnect it to set the timing.  If your engine runs better without it
> than with it, strongly suspect it's bad.

I'm starting to suspect it.  Especially since I think my electrical
gremlins *seem* to occur at low rpm.

So, what do you think about the possibility of a bad idle stabilizer
causeing the rpms to drop low (~600) and not respond to the throttle at
all?  Doesn't sound likely to me, but I'm running out of ideas.

> Re your other post, it has no idea whether the throttle switch is
> closed or not, it's connected between the Hall generator at the
> distributor and the ignition module on the firewall.  All it sees is
> rpm.

Ok, so what is the job of the ignition module?  Why does it need the heat
dissipator?

Thanks again for the info!
blake