Engine idles down, almost dies at idle - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Rem308 · 08-14-2009, 03:12 PM

I notice quite often that my car idles down low and almost dies when I'm just sitting...for example, today I was driving and came to a red light...sat there for a few minutes, then when I went to accelerate, the car kind of missed and then jumped a little when it got the gas I gave it.

Also, last night when I was backing out of a parking spot, I changed from reverse to Drive and the car tried to die again. It runs fine when I'm giving gas, I typically have the A/C on, but this problem does happen when A/C is off too.

With my last fill-up, I did also add a can of fuel treatment, thinking maybe it was an injector a little clogged. I haven't changed my gas type or anything, I have 60,000 miles and I'm debating a tuneup. I hear that the plugs in the car are good for 90,000 miles, though.

Any ideas?

nutmeggy · 09-15-2009, 11:31 AM

I have this same problem on my 2007 S. Anytime I'm idling, the car will rumble a bit like it's going to stall out/die, but very rarely do the RPMs actually change... when they do, it's a very slight dip. It doesn't seem as extreme as yours to where the car almost completely dies though. I don't have a check engine light and it happens with A/C running and without.

My previous car, a 2000 Hyundai Elantra did this, and it sounded more like yours - The RPMs would drop severely and the car did die a couple times. I replaced my fuel filter before it was due to see if that would help, and it lessened quite a bit, so I assumed it was fuel related.

I have heard a lot of people mention sensors and that one going bad is a common cause of this, but wouldn't a sensor throw a code?

nutmeggy · 10-05-2009, 11:44 AM

So it doesn't seem anyone is interested in this issue, but either way...

A hose going from the engine to the air filter (IIRC) had been removed at some point and not tightened back on correctly, so air was getting in. We tightened it and the problem is gone.

Slaander · 10-05-2009, 01:26 PM

if you can get the OBDII code is easier to tell what happen, but bad spark cable or spark plug itself will costing the low idel stall, or even dirty air filter will costing it since no air flow. just my 2 cents.

00Xtreme262 · 10-05-2009, 07:23 PM

I'm not sure what this car has for a distributor, but the same thing happened with my other vehicle & it was due to the cap corroding (where the spark plug plugs into).

tigerclaws1318 · 10-06-2009, 10:24 AM

There are many many reasons for low idling. Here's some suggestions before going any further.
Check air filter and make it is not clogged or restricted in any way.
Next have the throttle body cleaned if it isnt. Carbon buildup on the throttle body can cause rough idle and hesitation.
Fill the car up with high quality gasoline such as Shell or BP. Add a bottle of one of those fuel addictives into the tank. Drive the car hard during that tank of gas. Redlining a few times to burn up the carbon buildup on intake valves.

If the car is still having idling issues then there are other things to check.
The mass airflow sensor located on top on the intake duct can be covered up buildup causing inproper air and fuel mixture. Check the sensor and make sure it is clean.
There were a couple of model that had a tsb regarding a intake manifold gasket leak. The leak can cause extremely low idle.
A vacuum leak is another cause for low idle. So make sure all vacuum line are in good condition with no leaks.

Theres probably a million other reasons to this. I'm just naming a few to help.

JasonA · 10-06-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00Xtreme262

I'm not sure what this car has for a distributor, but the same thing happened with my other vehicle & it was due to the cap corroding (where the spark plug plugs into).

It doesn't (have a distributor). It doesn't even have spark plug wires. It's all electronic coil-on-plug ignition.

alligatorgar · 10-07-2009, 05:12 PM

Dont feel like the lone ranger. My 03 corolla is doing the same thing. Ive changed the filter and plugs. My next plan in the process of using the 3m throttle body/injector cleaner kit to solve my mystery. If anyone solves this I certainly hope they post here.

mopars&corollas · 10-11-2009, 03:45 PM

Is your throttle body dirty? My idle air control went out and I had these problems- but I threw a code too

alligatorgar · 10-24-2009, 08:48 PM

I did the 3m throttle body cleaner and still have the rough low idle. The throttle body was very dirty and I dont think Ive gotten everything clean so Ill pick up some sea foam soon to finish job.

impulseRED · 10-25-2009, 11:15 AM

well from what i know it could be the fuel pump, MAF unit check both the exaust and intake, or throttle body,

remeber good mantinence keeps your car out of your wallet

you can always go to autozone and ask them to hook 1 of those hand held things to your ECU and it normally tells you what the problem

alligatorgar · 10-25-2009, 12:45 PM

I own a obd 2 car reader but thought your car needs to throw a code (check engine light) before using it.

impulseRED · 10-26-2009, 08:46 AM

im not sure if toyotas store thier codes once the ECU has been reset as some sort of fail safe but you can always try unplugging your battery overnight and plugging it back in b4 work the next day, ofc the car might run wierd to you because it has to get used to the way you drive(about 100-200miles) but that should get the codes off

-edit-

and i forgot to mention if the problem isnt tottally fixed the light will come back on if the engine isnt running correctly after the computer has detected the problem again, my friend used to reset his ECU on his chevy b4 inspections so all the lights would be off before he went in lol.....