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Anonymous Posted on Jul 19, 2014

Troubleshooting a rough idle

RUFF IDLE THEN STALLS

1 Answer

A

Anonymous

The "rough idle" symptom encompasses many systems in the vehicle, which must all be checked. Is the "Check Engine" light on? Have you had the codes read? (Codes can be read and interpreted on your Cadillac using the air conditioning controls, the procedure for which can be found online using any search engine.)

Generally, especially on a car as old as yours, you will most likely need a MAJOR TUNE-UP. You will need to check all of the following:

  • Condition of the fuel in the gas tank (especially if the car sat dormant for six months or more);
  • Operation of the idle air bypass (Idle Air Controller);
  • Cleanliness of the throttle body and its components;
  • Condition of the fuel delivery system, including the fuel filter, pressure regulator, electric fuel pump, and injectors (this is the most likely suspect here);
  • Condition of the coil packs or distributor cap and rotor (I don't remember which your car has);
  • Condition of the spark plug wires;
  • CONDITION OF THE SPARK PLUGS (obvious);
  • Operation of the ECU (or whatever you prefer to call the computer that controls your engine);
  • Presence of any vacuum leaks or cracks in the intake manifold.
START BY REPLACING YOUR FUEL FILTER, then check for proper fuel pressure at the fuel rail. Replace the pressure regulator as necessary and, if you are not getting enough fuel pressure, it is possible that rust and debris in your fuel tank has clogged the intake strainer and may have damaged your electric fuel pump. Once you have eliminated fuel delivery issues, continue by examining your ignition system (plugs, wires, etc.).

Best of luck to you!

2 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 95 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 20, 2009

SOURCE: 95 cadillac eldorado engine stalls rough idle check engine light is on

My son has this same car with the same problem. So far after tune up and other process of illimination, the problem points to the catalytic converter. If it is clogged you will get this problem with the rough idle and stalling. Look under the car at night after running it and see if the catalytic glows red. If so you need a new one. Hope this helps.

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Ruben Diaz

  • 514 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 28, 2011

SOURCE: white smoke from the tail pipes, rough idle in

i think you have a water leak maybe the head gasket is going bad any way gasoline produces water and is normal with cold weather.

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It can be issue with IAC( idle air control valve) causing the problem.


There are many other possibilities causing these idle issues. Engine idles rough.

There are few help links with solutions to troubleshoot such idle issues.

I suggest you refer the link below and follow its troubleshooting details:------

Click the link below:-----

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/12/ford-expedition-iac-valve-replacing.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/bad-miss-at-idle.html

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/stumbling-and-stalling-at-idle-after.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/1999-ford-f-150-idles-rough-and-quits.html

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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/engine-stumbles-coming-off-idle-when.html

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/erratic-idle-on-car.html

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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-start-problem-and-vehicle-shudder.html

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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/low-idle-when-cold-out-side.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/10/gmc-sonoma-stalls-and-idles-low.html

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/gmc-idle-air-control-iac-valve.html

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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/high-idle-problem.html

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/idle-flair-is-noticed-on-car-rough-idle.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/high-rpm-in-neutral-inconsistant-high.html

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Vehicle stumbling at idle and shows code 54?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-stumbling-at-idle-and-shows.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/03/rough-idlestaling-and-erratic-shifting.html

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

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These details will help.

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There are few help links with solutions to troubleshoot such idle issues.

I suggest you refer the link below and follow its troubleshooting details:------

Click the link below:-----

Ford Expedition IAC valve replacing

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/12/ford-expedition-iac-valve-replacing.html

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/stumbling-and-stalling-at-idle-after.html

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1999 Ford F-150 Idles rough and quits when gas pedal is pressed less?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/1999-ford-f-150-idles-rough-and-quits.html

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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/engine-stumbles-coming-off-idle-when.html

------------------

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/erratic-idle-on-car.html

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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-start-problem-and-vehicle-shudder.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/10/gmc-sonoma-stalls-and-idles-low.html

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/gmc-idle-air-control-iac-valve.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/idle-flair-is-noticed-on-car-rough-idle.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/high-rpm-in-neutral-inconsistant-high.html

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-stumbling-at-idle-and-shows.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/03/rough-idlestaling-and-erratic-shifting.html

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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

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It can be issue with IAC( idle air control valve) causing the problem.


There are many other possibilities causing these idle issues. Engine idles rough.

There are few help links with solutions to troubleshoot such idle issues.

I suggest you refer the link below and follow its troubleshooting details:------

Click the link below:-----

Ford Expedition IAC valve replacing

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/12/ford-expedition-iac-valve-replacing.html

Bad miss at idle?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/bad-miss-at-idle.html

-----------

Stumbling and stalling at idle after engine rebuild?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/stumbling-and-stalling-at-idle-after.html

------------

1999 Ford F-150 Idles rough and quits when gas pedal is pressed less?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/1999-ford-f-150-idles-rough-and-quits.html

---------

Engine stumbles coming off idle when warm?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/engine-stumbles-coming-off-idle-when.html

------------------

Erratic idle on car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/erratic-idle-on-car.html

-----------


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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-start-problem-and-vehicle-shudder.html

----------

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http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/low-idle-when-cold-out-side.html

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http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/10/gmc-sonoma-stalls-and-idles-low.html

--------


GMC Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve Replacing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/gmc-idle-air-control-iac-valve.html

-------------

1996 Camry intermittent engine failure while idle?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/1996-camry-intermittent-engine-failure.html

------------

Engine quits at idle?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/engine-quits-at-idle.html

-----------

Car overheats and Air blows hot at idle?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-overheats-and-air-blows-hot-at-idle.html

---------

High Idle Problem

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/high-idle-problem.html

-------

While stop engine idles like cylinder missing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

---------

Idle flair is noticed on car? Rough idle? car will not idle? Erratic idle speed?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/idle-flair-is-noticed-on-car-rough-idle.html

--------

High rpm in neutral? Inconsistant high RPM in neutral?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/high-rpm-in-neutral-inconsistant-high.html

-------

Vehicle stumbling at idle and shows code 54?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-stumbling-at-idle-and-shows.html

----------

Rough idle, staling and Erratic shifting?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/03/rough-idlestaling-and-erratic-shifting.html

-----------

While stop engine idles like cylinder missing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

---------

These details will help.

Thanks.

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Ford Taurus idle missing

It can be issue with IAC( idle air control valve) causing the problem.


There are many other possibilities causing these idle issues.Engine idles rough.

There are few help links with solutions to troubleshoot such idle issues.

I suggest you refer the link below and follow its troubleshooting details:------

Click the link below:-----
Bad miss at idle? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/bad-miss-at-idle.html

-----------
Stumbling and stalling at idle after engine rebuild?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/stumbling-and-stalling-at-idle-after.html

------------
1999 Ford F-150 Idles rough and quits when gas pedal is pressed less?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/1999-ford-f-150-idles-rough-and-quits.html

---------
Engine stumbles coming off idle when warm?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/engine-stumbles-coming-off-idle-when.html

------------------
Erratic idle on car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/erratic-idle-on-car.html

-----------


Cold start problem and vehicle shudder around 2500 to 3500 rpms
http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-start-problem-and-vehicle-shudder.html

----------
Low idle when cold out side?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/low-idle-when-cold-out-side.html

-----------
GMC Sonoma Stalls and idles low

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/10/gmc-sonoma-stalls-and-idles-low.html

--------


GMC Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve Replacing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/gmc-idle-air-control-iac-valve.html

-------------
1996 Camry intermittent engine failure while idle?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/1996-camry-intermittent-engine-failure.html

------------
Engine quits at idle?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/engine-quits-at-idle.html

-----------
Car overheats and Air blows hot at idle?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-overheats-and-air-blows-hot-at-idle.html

---------

High Idle Problem

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/high-idle-problem.html

-------
While stop engine idles like cylinder missing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

---------
Idle flair is noticed on car? Rough idle? car will not idle? Erratic idle speed?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/idle-flair-is-noticed-on-car-rough-idle.html

--------
High rpm in neutral? Inconsistant high RPM in neutral?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/high-rpm-in-neutral-inconsistant-high.html

-------
Vehicle stumbling at idle and shows code 54?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-stumbling-at-idle-and-shows.html

----------
Rough idle, staling and Erratic shifting?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/03/rough-idlestaling-and-erratic-shifting.html

-----------
While stop engine idles like cylinder missing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

---------

These details will help.

Thanks.

0helpful
2answers

REPLACED THE EGR VACUUM SOLENOID NOW IDLES RUFF AND RPM GO UP AND DOWN AT IDLE

It can be issue with IAC( idle air control valve) causing the problem.

There are many other possibilities causing these idle issues.Engine idles rough.There are few help links with solutions to troubleshoot such idle issues.
I suggest you refer the link below and follow its troubleshooting details:------Click the link below:-----Bad miss at idle? http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/bad-miss-at-idle.html
-----------
Stumbling and stalling at idle after engine rebuild? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/stumbling-and-stalling-at-idle-after.html

------------
1999 Ford F-150 Idles rough and quits when gas pedal is pressed less? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/1999-ford-f-150-idles-rough-and-quits.html

--------- Engine stumbles coming off idle when warm?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/engine-stumbles-coming-off-idle-when.html

------------------
Erratic idle on car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/erratic-idle-on-car.html

-----------


Cold start problem and vehicle shudder around 2500 to 3500 rpms
http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-start-problem-and-vehicle-shudder.html
---------- Low idle when cold out side?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/low-idle-when-cold-out-side.html

-----------


GMC Sonoma Stalls and idles low http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/10/gmc-sonoma-stalls-and-idles-low.html
--------


GMC Idle Air Control (IAC) Valve Replacing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/gmc-idle-air-control-iac-valve.html

-------------
1996 Camry intermittent engine failure while idle?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/1996-camry-intermittent-engine-failure.html

------------
Engine quits at idle?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/10/engine-quits-at-idle.html

-----------
Car overheats and Air blows hot at idle?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/car-overheats-and-air-blows-hot-at-idle.html

---------


High Idle Problem
http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/high-idle-problem.html
-------


While stop engine idles like cylinder missing?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html

---------
Idle flair is noticed on car? Rough idle? car will not idle? Erratic idle speed?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/idle-flair-is-noticed-on-car-rough-idle.html

--------
High rpm in neutral? Inconsistant high RPM in neutral?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/high-rpm-in-neutral-inconsistant-high.html

-------
Vehicle stumbling at idle and shows code 54?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/03/vehicle-stumbling-at-idle-and-shows.html

----------
Rough idle, staling and Erratic shifting? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/03/rough-idlestaling-and-erratic-shifting.html
-----------While stop engine idles like cylinder missing? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/while-stop-engine-idles-like-cylinder.html
---------These details will help.Thanks.

2helpful
1answer

92 NISSAN WITH BOGGING AT 2800 3500 RPM AND AT LEVEL SPEED 4CYL AND 5 SPEED

For this types of problem,there are few help inks to troubleshoot the problem.Click the link below to go through the troubleshooting procedure to resolve the issues :----Idles rough and quits when gas pedal is pressed less? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/1999-ford-f-150-idles-rough-and-quits.html-----------van idles rough? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/01/2004-ford-freestar-van-idles-rough.html
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-----------Car still runs Rough after tune up? http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-still-runs-rough-after-tune-up.html
------------Idle flair is noticed on car? Rough idle? car will not idle? Erratic idle speed? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/idle-flair-is-noticed-on-car-rough-idle.html
----------High rpm in neutral? Inconsistant high RPM in neutral? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/high-rpm-in-neutral-inconsistant-high.html
------------Engine Backfires? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/jeep-backfires.html----------- Nissan stalls and bucks on Acceleration?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-pathfinder-stalls-and-bucks-on.html

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Nissan Pathfinder Backfires? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-pathfinder-backfires.html
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0helpful
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It only idles ruff during park or idle

Here is the most common cause of surges and stalls and low idle 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.
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