2004 Saturn Ion. At times the engine runs too fast at start (3k rpms) or will sometimes kick into that while driving. Other times while driving in slow/stop and go traffic the rpms drop low to 500 idle becomes rough and engine stalls. At the time of the engine dropping power like lights dim. No codes are being given, nor any dashlights except at stall. The dealer is stumped, we have replaced the software on the car's computer and replaced the throttle sensor. Still no change.

SOURCE: rough idle stalls at low rpm's

hello first check your idle with the car running foot on brake see were your rpm reading is if your below 500rpm check your label underhood for your curb idle setting second see if theres a adjustment screw you can increase were your gas cable lever rest against your set screw underhood if you feel confident enough remove your iac motor idle air control valve if the bore were the end of the pintle extracts out to close has varnish builup our carbon it will stick creating vacuum leak type senario causing stalling rough idle sometimes even no start conditions good luck

SOURCE: 02 escalade, vehical stalls at low idle

if it has over 40,000 miles on it change the drive belt and have the alternator tested and also make sure all of the vaccum lines are on and in place

Marvin

• 85242 Answers
• Posted on Mar 13, 2009

SOURCE: low idle stalls out

Here is the most common cause of surges and stalls at stops and low erratic idle speed and rough idle, it is the idle speed control air-bypass valve and throttle valve (IAC for short), they get full of gunk over the miles and cause idle issues (stalls, low idle) like yours, Get a can of intake cleaner from any local parts store, not carb spray, intake cleaner, it is made by a company called CRC, remove the air intake hose to the engine, hold the idle high so the engine won't stall, then spray the can of cleaner into the intake while keeping the engine running, use at least 1/2 the can, shut down the engine and disconnect the battery for 5 minutes, then restart and complete a number of mixed driving cycles, town, freeway, stop and go etc., after a few days the problem will go away as the system will relearn to the clean intake.

SOURCE: My 1989 Daihatsu Charade CLS (3 Cylinder) has a low idle

The E-brake light is on because the brake is slightly on, or the fluid is low, or the brakes are failing It sounds like the fluid is getting low from normal brake wear and not a problem. Just get the front brakes cheched and replaced. Don't put any fluid in because the new brake pads which are thicker will take up the space the fluid has dropped and push the fluid back to the correct level

Your engine is shutting down at idle because of a a bad seal on the engine induction system. It is the big duct that connects to the engine air intake. Leave the car running at idle, E-Brake on, and squeeze the big black duct going from the air filter to the engine, Does the car shut off? Next check small little hoses that attache to this big air duct. Try moving them a little to see if the engine runs different.

If these are good then I would shut off engine and remove this duct. A hose clamp holds one end. A slotted srewdriver will work to remove this clamp. The other end, at the Air Filter simply unclamps by hand.

The Throttle Valve is the first thing you see in the engine, it is inside the intake just after the duct you removed between the Air Filter and Intake. Have some one open the Throttle by stepping on the gas pedal and see if it is clean around the edges. If not, use some cleanning alcohol from your medicne cabinet to clean this area. A toothbrush will get into the tight spaces. Wipe clean with paper towel. Autozones sells a special cleaner called Throttle Valve cleaner spray. Use this not Carburator Cleaner.

If it still runs bad a idle the idle valve could be dirty and now you need more tools to remove it and clean too.

SOURCE: 2001 LINCOLN LS V6 - ROUGH IDLE / SOMETIMES STALLING.

Very common problem is about a dime size hole wearing in the rubber elbow on the PCV valve located on the driver side rear of the intake manifold.