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Random Idle Problems. HELP!

Old Feb 24, 2005 | 05:40 PM
  #1  
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Default Random Idle Problems. HELP!


HELP!!


In the last 3 months i had three instances when in idle the rpm would drop to a stall. Mostly when i stopped on an intersection. When i started again, it would not hold the idle rpm. Then when got it going, it would run like pisser again. Today it was the third time. All times it was rather cold ( 15F). Today, after stalling i started it again, and it would be too high at around 1200. What could that be? What does regulate the idle rpm? and could the temperature have and affect on it???
I think i need some help here, i don't know where to start.

mike
 
Old Feb 24, 2005 | 06:08 PM
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Default RE: Random Idle Problems. HELP!

Has your battery gone dead in the past three months? You may need a to do a throttle body alignment..but I kinda doubt it since you say its random. Do a search for it, you should be able to do it yourself. What year/engine do you run? Any mods that might effect it? More info the better(which you may have posted in other threads but please repeat them here).

-T
 
Old Feb 24, 2005 | 06:38 PM
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Default RE: Random Idle Problems. HELP!

transverse,
1996 2.8q

funny that you said that. the battery was dead just last week. but the other two times it was fine. i wonder if the temp could have something to do with it? i would defenitely approach that thing myself, but i don't know where to start? one funny thing, once or twice i had no vaccum on the brakes just after starting on cold morings. the brakes were really lame for the first time using them. could a relevant vaccum line freeze?

any idea?
 
Old Feb 24, 2005 | 07:01 PM
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Default RE: Random Idle Problems. HELP!

Alright, here's what I dug up on the tba. It sounds like this is mainly used for when people get their car chipped and had to send their ECU in to the shop. When they get it back they need to do a throttle body alignment. It also applies every so often to those that have suffered a dead battery.

Imolas4:
Turn the ignition to electrical power on (don't start the engine) and leave it in the on position for two minutes. Then turn the ignition to off and then start the car. (NOTE: This can be done with a VAG, too.)
Try this first. Let us know how it goes.

-T
 
Old Feb 24, 2005 | 07:21 PM
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Default RE: Random Idle Problems. HELP!

Dont want to scare you in anyway. I would listen to Transverse over me, but I had the same problems before on my ACURA (92 Integra). I found out later on that it was the fuel filter. Could it be the fuel filter guys? Jester? Brrrman? Transvers?
 
Old Feb 24, 2005 | 07:28 PM
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Default RE: Random Idle Problems. HELP!

Well..its a car..so ANYTHING is possible..but I kinda doubt it. The fuel filter on an audi is a lifetime part (supposedly). I have not heard of the fuel filter causing this kind of problem(let alone any problem really). There is a great tutorial on changing your fuel filter on audiworld.com but I'd hold off on that. There's probably a few other ideas that brrman and jester will have so I'd wait for their input if the TBA doesn't work.

-T
 
Old Feb 25, 2005 | 12:05 AM
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Default RE: Random Idle Problems. HELP!

Doubt it is a fuel filter. Clogged fuel filter usually causes the car to stumble at high rpm and runn pretty good at idle when the fuel flow is enough.
How many miles on your car? When is the last time you changed your plugs?

The most likely cause in my experience is a dirty throttle body. Try a t\hrottle body adjustment. If that fails try cleaning the throttle body.

Could also be a vacuum leak.
 
Old Feb 25, 2005 | 02:02 AM
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Default RE: Random Idle Problems. HELP!

Well since he said the battery died the other day, I would tend to agree about the tba needing done.
 
Old Feb 25, 2005 | 03:52 AM
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Default RE: Random Idle Problems. HELP!

Dirt in the throttle valve is the main cause for erratic idle behavior.
A throttle body clean with an appropriate solvent should do the job.
With a flat battery the electronics will recover automatically after driving
the vehicle for a few hundred km's.
 
Old Feb 25, 2005 | 11:58 AM
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Default RE: Random Idle Problems. HELP!

will give it a clean. thanks for the help!
 

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