idle problems - Maintenance and Repair Forum

Forum Post / Reply
You must log in before you can post or reply to messages.
idle problems
Friday, December 04, 2009 2:05 PM
So my girlfriend has a 2000 alero 2.4. When it idles, mainly when the engine is at operating temp...the idle jumps from like 900 to 500rpm until you step on the gas. It does it in park, nuetral, drive, everything. It doesnt surge or anything just jumps in idle. I cleaned the throttle body, checked all vacuum hoses and spark plugs. Has no codes or anything. It has about 133,000 miles but everything is in great shape.

Any ideas????




Re: idle problems
Friday, December 04, 2009 5:40 PM
Put a vacuum gauge on it, see what the readings are


- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new



Re: idle problems
Saturday, December 05, 2009 5:46 PM
My 2.4L has been doing this since I bought it with 45,xxx on it.

It will only be at a stop or in park, no driving issues.

idle will be at 900 and drop to 600 then back to 900 then back to 600 then back to 900 until I start driving again.





Re: idle problems
Sunday, December 06, 2009 5:28 PM
Aaron ODonoghue wrote:My 2.4L has been doing this since I bought it with 45,xxx on it.

It will only be at a stop or in park, no driving issues.

idle will be at 900 and drop to 600 then back to 900 then back to 600 then back to 900 until I start driving again.


Yea her just started a couple weeks ago. Everything else works great but like Rob said I need to check vacuum...I havent done that yet cause I dont have a vacuum gauge and its too dam cold out.

Have you fixed your problem or do you just deal with it???



Re: idle problems
Sunday, December 13, 2009 7:40 AM
Replace the AIC.

Walt
Re: idle problems
Sunday, December 13, 2009 3:58 PM
Walter Pawliw wrote:Replace the AIC.

Walt


You mean IAC?

Idle air control valve?



Re: idle problems
Sunday, December 13, 2009 4:18 PM
hey
my car did something similar. i just put a new battery in it and intake. all i did was remove the negetive from the battery for about 10 mins then reconnected it. this resets the idle or something, but after that it worked great for me like normal. try it, can't hurt.



Re: idle problems
Sunday, December 13, 2009 5:02 PM
sweet...yea never even gave that a thought..ill give it a try...thanks



Re: idle problems
Sunday, December 13, 2009 7:38 PM
^ that, or it sounds like you may have a vacuum leak somewhere



Re: idle problems
Monday, December 14, 2009 10:21 AM
SpeedDemon (Steve) wrote:^ that, or it sounds like you may have a vacuum leak somewhere


Yea you may be right but it doesnt do it all the time...

If it was a vacuum leak wouldnt it act up all the time or am i wrong???



Re: idle problems
Monday, December 14, 2009 11:14 AM
same problem once and awhile.. i've been told its likely the fuel filter or injectors.. Good injector cleaner did make an improvement, still due for the fuel filter change... its just too damn cold.. haha

Re: idle problems
Monday, December 14, 2009 1:11 PM
paul bateman wrote:same problem once and awhile.. i've been told its likely the fuel filter or injectors.. Good injector cleaner did make an improvement, still due for the fuel filter change... its just too damn cold.. haha


Yea just changed the fuel filter couple months ago so thats good....ill try some seafoam maybe that will help

I just unhooked the battery for awhile..so far so good but its like 10 below here so i cant get up to operating temp so idk for sure if that fixed the problem



Re: idle problems
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 1:30 PM
The only time I've had an idle problem with my 2.2, it turned out to be a bad plug.


2.2 97 Cavalier......the "Crapalier"
Re: idle problems
Tuesday, December 15, 2009 2:31 PM
Masintenn wrote:The only time I've had an idle problem with my 2.2, it turned out to be a bad plug.


The plugs are ok....i just replaced the spark plug boots but I have those bosch 4's in for plugs...

has anyone had any problems with the bosch 4's??? Should i just go back to an OE plug??



Re: idle problems
Sunday, December 20, 2009 10:32 PM
Cody Van Dieren wrote:
Masintenn wrote:The only time I've had an idle problem with my 2.2, it turned out to be a bad plug.


The plugs are ok....i just replaced the spark plug boots but I have those bosch 4's in for plugs...

has anyone had any problems with the bosch 4's??? Should i just go back to an OE plug??



I don't know from personal experience, but I have heard that the Bosch 4 plugs foul very easily, and judging by their gap (or lack of), I can see why. Might wanna try some standard platinum plugs.
Re: idle problems
Monday, December 21, 2009 6:39 AM
I don't remember what it was, but my bad plug wasn't a Bosch and it wasn't a Delco either. It was less than a year old and looked fine (no fouling, etc.). The problem was inside the plug. Get some Delco's.

My car would drive fine, but idled crappy. I "think" it was throwing a misfire code but it's been several years.


2.2 97 Cavalier......the "Crapalier"
Re: idle problems
Monday, December 21, 2009 2:09 PM
Masintenn wrote:I don't remember what it was, but my bad plug wasn't a Bosch and it wasn't a Delco either. It was less than a year old and looked fine (no fouling, etc.). The problem was inside the plug. Get some Delco's.

My car would drive fine, but idled crappy. I "think" it was throwing a misfire code but it's been several years.


I have no codes....but my auto tech teacher said the bosch 4s are junk so yea ill just have to go with some OE plugs



Forum Post / Reply
You must log in before you can post or reply to messages.

 

Start New Topic Advanced Search