This Thread is Featured in our Tech from our Forum Members section!
If you are having idling problems with your first gen Toyota then you need to take a look at the emissions control box. Over time some of the joints on the circuit board will break loose causing a bad connection. I am going to try to show you guys how easy it is to fix.
You are going to need a soldering iron, 63/37 rosin core solder, rubbing alcohol, and a toothbrush.
The box
The problem area
This is the connection on the front that breaks
You can see all the fine cracks in the solder joints.
Take your toothbrush and apply some rubbing alcohol to it and brush it over the broken solder joints. This helps remove any dirt or old flux on the joints.
When they are nice and clean take your hot iron and tin it (tinning). To properly tin your iron you heat it up apply some solder to the tip and then gently wipe it on a wet sponge to spread it evenly over the tip. Tinning the iron helps remove oxides and helps spread the heat to the joint.
Then take your tinned iron to the first broken joint and heat it up and add your solder. It should take you about 2-3 seconds per joint. Any longer and you can burn up the circuit board. Also remember to wipe your iron on the wet sponge after every joint to keep it clean and remove oxides. They should be nice and shiny when you are done.
You can see the left side all done.
All done!
My fancy tools!