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steady idle ?

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Old Jul 31, 2023 | 10:25 AM
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Default steady idle ?

My 99 C5 vert 6 speed on start up seems to be searching for the proper idle speed. It fluctuates between 500 to 850 rpm until it is up to operating temp. Once warmed up it is good to go. I've cleaned the MAF and Throttle body and replaced the throttle position sensor already. Is there an idle air control valve also ? I could really use some help.
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Old Jul 31, 2023 | 11:57 AM
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Had the battery been disconnected when you noticed the unstable idle ??…sometimes after reconnecting the battery an “idle relearn” may have to be done…you may have a vacuum leak but it’s hard to say…if you have a scan tool that you can look at things like O2 sensors, fuel trims, MAF and MAP sensor data PIDS it’s only a guess…and no IAC !!

Last edited by C5 Diag; Jul 31, 2023 at 12:13 PM.
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Old Jul 31, 2023 | 12:09 PM
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Not sure this will help but I had a strange idle issue that was the same once up to temp. I replaced my knock sensors and cleaned up lots of oil in my intake and installed new intake gaskets.
The oil pressure sensor had been replaced before I go the car. After the work was done I had working knock sensors (that was the plan) but the strange idle issue was fixed.
If I had to guess I would say it was the new intake gaskets fixed the idle, so maybe once your car is up to temp with all the things expanded your intake leak is gone.
I recall reading about how to check for intake leaks by spraying something in the suspect area and if you idle changes X marks the spot. Good luck hope this helps
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Old Jul 31, 2023 | 04:47 PM
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My guess would be a vacuum leak. Is the car stock?
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Old Jul 31, 2023 | 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by JCMDoug
Not sure this will help but I had a strange idle issue that was the same once up to temp. I replaced my knock sensors and cleaned up lots of oil in my intake and installed new intake gaskets.
The oil pressure sensor had been replaced before I go the car. After the work was done I had working knock sensors (that was the plan) but the strange idle issue was fixed.
If I had to guess I would say it was the new intake gaskets fixed the idle, so maybe once your car is up to temp with all the things expanded your intake leak is gone.
I recall reading about how to check for intake leaks by spraying something in the suspect area and if you idle changes X marks the spot. Good luck hope this helps
I had a similar issues to yours. I had changed the oil pressure sensor, intake gaskets and the knock sensors. It ran great for awhile and then I noticed that the idle was a little unstable. Didn't do anything about it because I figured that the way it is. A few months later I got the code for rear knock sensor low. Measurements showed that the rear sensor resistance was good and it had an output when tapped. So I replaced it along with the harness. It is now running so much better. I'm betting it was the harness connector having a high resistance due to oxidized contacts. The knock sensor is a very low current ckt as well as having a high impedance.
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Old Aug 1, 2023 | 10:03 PM
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Moved to C5 Tech.
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Old Aug 2, 2023 | 09:03 AM
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There is an idle relearn procedure in the factory service manual. My engine is modded, so maybe that's why it worked so well for me. But it made my idle sound like a milder cam was installed, and you could hear the change immediately.....
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Old Aug 2, 2023 | 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by grinder11
There is an idle relearn procedure in the factory service manual. My engine is modded, so maybe that's why it worked so well for me. But it made my idle sound like a milder cam was installed, and you could hear the change immediately.....
Non scan tool procedure below !!




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Old Aug 2, 2023 | 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by C5 Diag
Non scan tool procedure below !!



YUP-Thats exactly what I did, Rob!!
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