Idle problems

[flipmode815]

Ok my car's idle is going crazy, there is no cel light but the car will start and idle fine for a min or two then it will drop and almost die and just keeps doing that but if i give it gas it doesnt do anything till i let off then it revs up.

So far i have replaced the coils, spark plugs, egr valve, fuel pump, fuel injectors, put a diff mani and throttle body on, and have checked the timing many times.

What else could be causing this?

[njaremka]

vacuum leak somewhere would be my guess

[flipmode815]

i will try that but i dont think thats the problem, can any one post a pic of the vac lines that shows what ones go where on a protege with out cruse control? thnx!

[njaremka]

it might notbe the lines. if you replaced the manifold, throttle body, and egr valve, those are all possible suspects for a vacuum leak.

[viral_override]

UM...spark plug wires maybe?

[Metallic36]

My MAF did this.. before it died. It would rev, drop.. rev, drop..

[jeg0024]

You have no cats as well, I would think not having enough back pressure would affect that in one way or another. May need a new MAF as well tho.

[flipmode815]

hmm alright i guess ill try a new maf and see what it does, thnx!

[jeg0024]

Is there any way to test an old one before spending the $ for a new one? Anyone know?

[flipmode815]

You have no cats as well, I would think not having enough back pressure would affect that in one way or another. May need a new MAF as well tho.
Would an exhaust leak do it?

Is there any way to test an old one before spending the $ for a new one? Anyone know?

Thats a good question, i would like to know also.

[Not Jo3L]

I have the same idleing problem. I have two MAFs and they both suffer the shaky idle. I think it may be an exhaust leak. I have no cats and can smell alot of exhaust fumes when I roll down my windows in traffic. Also..I did seafoam the car in the gas tank and brake booster but did not see a better idle.

[flipmode815]

I have the same idleing problem. I have two MAFs and they both suffer the shaky idle. I think it may be an exhaust leak. I have no cats and can smell alot of exhaust fumes when I roll down my windows in traffic. Also..I did seafoam the car in the gas tank and brake booster but did not see a better idle.

I used seafoam and cleaned the maf a few days ago but it didnt change the idle. I do have an exhaust leak so i will get that fixed and try again.

[Not Jo3L]

Yeah I was just thinking its my faulty o2 sensor Ive had since ive owned my car last may.

[808MP5]

Would a bad 2nd O2 sensor cause this? You know the one thats after the precat. I have a similar problem And Still haven't figured it out yet... I changed out everything you have and then some...

[jeg0024]

^Wouldn't you get a CEL for that though?

[Not Jo3L]

I got two CELs and recently a too lean CEL which is stupid because our cars run filthy rich.

[808MP5]

^Wouldn't you get a CEL for that though?

I used to get a cel for the second o2 sensor but not anymore since i did the non fouler trick... Now i just get the random misfire cel...


I got two CELs and recently a too lean CEL which is stupid because our cars run filthy rich.

Not necessarily true... my car runs a little on the lean side of things... You can't really can't judege your AFR's without a WB

[Not Jo3L]

Yeah but with all the gas im wasting..I feel as if the ECU is just dumping fuel like crazy. I seriously drove 8 miles and had my gas needle above the full line and then below it.

[808MP5]

that is a little fishy. but without a widenand you can't tell what's really going on. topped off you should get atleast 40-70 miles before the needle drops below F

There's so many threads about idle issues with no real solution to my problem so far.

Here's a list of what I've done
egr changed
icv cleaned
spark plugs changed
cam sensor changed
maf sensor changed
pcv valve changed
coil packs changed
primary o2 sensor changed
seafoamed engine, crankcase, fuel tank

Things left to check
crank position sensor cpk
coolant temp sensor
spark plug wires
vacuum lines and other possible sorces
timing (which I doubt cuz my car hit 110 no prob)

Problem used to be in the morning. Rough, jogging idle and stalling. Throughout the rest of the day car started and ran fine. Now in the morning no problems. Throughtout the day at start up I get rough, jogging idle and stalling. It only happens for a minute or so then car runs fine.

[Not Jo3L]

Yeah what I think really solves the problem though is just replacing the EGR..I know my cars a little older (99) and would benefit from one..but I would rather use the money for other goodies.

[flipmode815]

im kinda guessing its the 02 sensor, I hooked my air/fuel gauge back up and its getting really weird readings. would a bad 02 sensor do that?

[808MP5]

Hmm... Depends if your Air Fuel Ratio Gauge is a Wideband... If it's a narrow band it will always give you some weird readings.... But a bad o2 sensor will definently give you some weird readings.

[flipmode815]

its a narrow band autometer, its ready very lean no matter what i do pretty much and i know thats not normal for a protege.

[Chawk]

the best way to test the maf is to unplug it and see if it runs any different if not then it is the maf if not then it is something else.

[808MP5]

IDK i unplug my MAF and the car doesn't even start let alone run

[Packerfan]

What was that if its not its not if its not it is can you explain that to me I am alittle stoned right now

[808MP5]

Lol

[Not Jo3L]

lol wtf did he say..anyways I ordered a new o2 sensor like last week from Ken..I hope to get it this week and see an improvement.

[AzteCypher]

I'm having similar problems with my 1.6L. Let me know how yours works out. I'm thinking it's something electrical but I can't pin it down yet. Might just have to go get a full diagnostic on it to find out what's up. I guess after 113,000 miles things do get worn out.

[mavreix]

I've been having a problem after I put some spark plug non foulers on my oxygen sensors. I took them off and reset my ECU but i still have a horrible idle that stays around 200 rpms. The engine has been knocking and getting worse at idle speeds. But in the higher range its fine. Is there a way to temporarily set the ECU to a default mode where it runs rich or quickly reset my air/fuel mixture?