C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Rough idle

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Old Sep 8, 2005 | 03:16 PM
  #1  
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Default Rough idle

My car drives great when I'm on the gas, but if I stop at light or get stuck in traffic my oil pressure drops and the car starts to run rough. It acts like it's getting ready to stall, although it never quite has.

Once I'm able to get moving again everything is fine once more. The problem seems to be worse when the engine gets warmed up to operating temps.

Any ideas what the problem might be?
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Old Sep 8, 2005 | 04:03 PM
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Im experiencing the same problem in my 87. Is it throwing any codes. One of mine was code 15 for the coolant temp sensor. unplugged it while i am waiting for a new one and it seems to be running fine. Now on to the other codes. ( 33 and 42)

Also a throttle body and IAC cleaning helped to smooth out the bucking and raised the RPMs at a stop in gear.
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Old Sep 8, 2005 | 05:37 PM
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If there are idle speed issues, clean the TB & IAC and reset base idle and TPS.

If the roughness is a miss, connect a timing light in turn to each spark plug wire too see if the engine misses coincides with missed flashes at any of the wires.
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Old Sep 8, 2005 | 05:43 PM
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Originally Posted by 65Z01

If there are idle speed issues, clean the TB & IAC and reset base idle and TPS.


Clean trottle body and IAC, and reset base idle. This will probably solve the problem.
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Old Sep 8, 2005 | 06:35 PM
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Ok, great!

I'll give those things a shot. Thanks guys!
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Old Sep 8, 2005 | 10:52 PM
  #6  
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Not sure what year you have, but if it's '89 through '91 or so, check the fuel injector coil resistance, the fuel injectors used those years have an issue with the injector coils shorting.

I had the same symptoms you describe, and it was the injectors.

Good luck!

Ben
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 09:55 AM
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So what would be the likely culprit in a 87 if the throttle body and IAC have been cleaned and the base idle reset?? It idles decent in P or N but in and gear it hunts and surges from 800 to 500 and sometimes dies.
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Old Sep 9, 2005 | 12:43 PM
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Have you checked base timing?

Any vacuum leaks?
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