Re: Bulb Physics and 5k engine prob

[Michael Grundmann <mjg27@cornell.edu>]

about the HID lights...

I belive these lights just work by promoting a bunch of atoms to an upper
level energy state through collisions with electrons (high V arc?) and as
the atoms relax emit a photon with the amount of energy (or less, but still
a non random amount) originally put into the atoms.  There are discrete
energy paths that these atoms must relax on, so you get a discrete spectra
that just happens to be bluish for the gas they use in the lights. 
Just a thought...

And now a question...

My dad's '86 5k has a strange problem that I currently am thinking is the
fault of the O2 sensor.  Anyway, it originally had problems idling when
cold; it would fluctuate between 200rpm (sounded horrible) and 3000rpm and
wouldn't have any power until warm.  At the suggestion of (I think) someone
on the list I pulled the intake hoses around the throttle body and just put
them back on.  Strangely enough that fixed that problem.  However, now the
car has problems (again when cold) getting past about 3000rpm..  We've
found a solution: go down a hill in 3rd and then downshift into second to
"kick" the engine up to speed, since once it is past 3000rpm it's fine.
Any thoughts on this ailment?
 
Mike Grundmann
http://mjg27.resnet.cornell.edu

family's '86 5k :)