Bad Idle @ Stop... Car Wont Respond

[atomix099]

1997 Auto 2.2L... As of recent my car is idling like crap @ a stop... It idles unstable below 1 rpm... And when i drive off the car wont respond right away... It feels like kinda its slipping so to speak. Like it accelerates slows down a little bit accelerates slows down a bit... This happens up until it reaches 3000rpms then it runs smooth until the next stop...

Before this in the mornings when I started my car i would have to leave it on for a little or else when i put it in reverse it would shut off or almost shut off from the idle...

I'm really stumped... I checked the transmission fluid and its full... Thought i might ask the nation for help before i take it to the "pros"

[ghettosled]

sounds like your idle air control valve and throttle body are gummed up. disconnect the intake from the throttle body and spray in some carb cleaner. make sure to open the butterfly valve for added cleaning and spray fairly liberally into the square hole in the bottom of the body.

[Steve Williams]

* If your car gets up and goes after the initial stumble and seems to run O.K. above 1500 RPM and you only encounter thi problem at idle, then check all of the below !

Possible problem in order of probability; Especially when no ECM codes are displayed.

1) Vacuum leak. - Check ALL vacuum hoses for leakage and/or breakage. Repair / Replace.

2) Secondary Air Infiltraition into the throttle body past the MAF downstream from the air filter. Be sure to check ALL gaskets from the MAF to the Air Intake Manifold. Use a hose at idle and listen for a vacuum sound. Place one end in ear and use other approx. 3' long to carefully put around all suspect areas. Locate air infiltration and repair.

3) Faulty and/or stuck IAC due to faulty product and/or carbon build-up. Remove & attempt to clean area and IAC component with carb cleaner.

*** NOTE: This is somewhat dangerous so BE CAREFUL. Use a can of ether "starting fluid" and carefully spray around the various above listed areas on the engine while it is idling.

As soon as you hear the engine's RPM idle a little higher, this means that it just ingested some of the ether "Starting Fluid". Hence, you have located the source of your vacuum and/or secondary air ingestion leak. Repair accordingly.

Such minor air leaks really play havoc with the engine's idling RPM's.

Good Luck !!!

Steve

[atomix099]

Oh i forgot to say i'm throwing a ERG (if i can remember correctly) from the Check Engine Light... Been like that since I got the car almost 2 years ago...

Going to do all those things later after work... What about that seafoam stuff???

Well like i said the car is stumbling until it reaches 3000rpm... Then when i come to another stop samething happens again until i reach 3000rpm.

Thanks alot

Someone was telling me it could be electrical like the altnerator... Any thoughts on that?

[geoff5093]

Before you get any major repairs or diagnostics done, I would use some throttle body or air intake cleaner first, use a brush to help loosen up the hard stuff. Doing that alone should help. You may have to do it more then once though if theres alot.

Seafoaming could help to, but I think cleaning the TB would be the most effective. After doing both, take it for a drive and after that see if it idles any better.

[toyomoho]

What is the actually trouble code? A stuck open EGR valve will cause rough idle, these can be cleaned. If cleaning the IAC, use a cleaner that does not damage plastics.

[mr.pringles]

run some seafoam !!

[atomix099]

Took the car to a mechanic (family friend)... & Bwoy am i blind... There is a hole (more of a slice) in my vacuum line and intake (w/ a diry fliter too)... We changed the vacuum line on the spot (had a extra one liein around) but problem didnt go away... My spark plug and spark plug wires are all finished...

Unrelated to the problem...my top engine mount (dog bone mount) is gone and my AC compressor is going too... I was hoping it was just a AC cable causing noise... I'll tell you one thing.. The moment the compressor goes im out of the nation

I changed the spark plugs and the problem went away completelty... for about 50 miles ... Havent gotten around to changing the spark plug wires (plan to do that today) Going to install a Cosmo Racing short ram intake (since i have to change it anyway)... I also got some carb cleaner, plan to clean out the throttle bottle and EGR today as well...

Well thanks for all help... I'll post back later, hopefully all will be well

[Steve Williams]

Unfortunately, due to the secondary air ingestion caused by the vac. leak. The computer caused the engine to run rich with fuel. Hence, it has significantly fouled all of the plugs with carbon. Hence, reducing the spark capability at idle. Hence, poor running at idle.

I suggest you replace ALL of the plugs with the "Toyota" platinum brand plug. Approx. $8 each. Money well spent...

Also. Do a resistance check on all plug wires and replace ALL of them if more than 2 are below specs.

Good Luck.

Steve

[KILRCAM]

^That's what I would try. I had the same problems with my 92 and it was just a valve but what you explained could be many things. Good luck.

[atomix099]

Well i changed the spark plugs wires and the problem went for good... After i cleaned out the throttle body, and the EGR.

The EGR is harder to clean then i thought (esp after losing the damn straw for the carb cleaner bottle.. apparently caprisun straws dont work too well either). Got most of it out with a hanger and some bounty.. A rag and a screw driver is just way to thick... And i tapped up my intake hole (slice) until my intake arrives next week... I'll prob re clean the Throttle body and EGR when i reinstall my intake... Going to take the EGR completely out next time, apparenlty it clogs up from the bottom as well...

Thanks for all the help