Rough Idling
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Orlando / Daytona Beach Florida
Rough Idling
The car is a 2007 and has about 38K. Occasionally at a red light I'll notice the rpms bouncing up/down a bit instead of the constant 5 or 600 they should remain at. I can even feel the power steering loose power when this happens and hear the engine struggling. This doesnt happen every day and when it happens its usually only for a few seconds at a time. Car has Powertrain warranty left no more bumper/bumper. Any one have this issue, or any thoughts? Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 49
From: Sun Devil Country
And also check your Throttle Body and MAF (and sensor) to see if they may need cleaning. Either one of them can affect idle.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 157
From: Springfield MO
The exact thing started happening on my C5 (at about the 70k mark) and was mentioned a lot on the C5 forums.
I never found what caused it and as far as I know no one else ever really did either. Finally solved it by selling the car.
I never found what caused it and as far as I know no one else ever really did either. Finally solved it by selling the car.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: Orlando / Daytona Beach Florida
Was just told that this can happen from time to time since theyve got these cars running so lean these days. So a little bit of a choppy idle isnt anything to sweat. True/False?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,023
Likes: 1,645
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
The Service Manager where I used to take it for warranty work said that it is normal for Corvettes (even the power steering loss) - he said that he sees it in all of them.
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Fort Wayne IN
Might want to check the plug wires. If the insulation has broke down then there may be some cross firing. I had a mini-van that started running ruff seemed like all of a sudden and found out it was the wires.
Old mechanics trick .....have engine idling and mist a little water on the wires and see if idle changes.... my .02
Old mechanics trick .....have engine idling and mist a little water on the wires and see if idle changes.... my .02
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
The only reason the steering has a problem is that the rpm goes so low for a second that the PS pump doesn't put out enough power to help with the steering. This is just a function of the rpm, nothing more and not related.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 35
From: Jupiter Fl
The car is a 2007 and has about 38K. Occasionally at a red light I'll notice the rpms bouncing up/down a bit instead of the constant 5 or 600 they should remain at. I can even feel the power steering loose power when this happens and hear the engine struggling. This doesnt happen every day and when it happens its usually only for a few seconds at a time. Car has Powertrain warranty left no more bumper/bumper. Any one have this issue, or any thoughts? Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
If he says he sees it in all of them, then he hasn't seen mine. I can't believe all the people here who are putting up with a rough idle. This car's engine should be smooth as glass. Mine is anyway. It is no different at 26K than it was at 6 miles.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,355
Likes: 11
From: Beverly Hills, MI
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,023
Likes: 1,645
From: Toronto, Canada
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 107
From: Fairview, TX
Who would take their car in for service if it was running perfectly 
Hence, he only see's the ones (all) that have a problem and has no idea of how they should really be.
Find a new place for service.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 49
From: Sun Devil Country
Mass Air Flow and it contains screens and sensors. The MAF sensors convert the amount of air drawn into the engine into a voltage signal. The ECM needs to know intake air volume to calculate engine load. This is necessary to determine how much fuel to inject, when to ignite the cylinder, and when to shift the transmission. The air flow sensor is located directly in the intake air stream, between the air cleaner and the throttle body where it can measure incoming air. Yes you can clean it yourself. Specialized spray cleaners for the Throttle Body, MAF, and sensors can be found in most parts stores.
Last edited by Bandit1; Mar 27, 2010 at 11:36 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Whatever you do, don't touch the sensor in the MAF itself, rather just spray it clean with either electrical parts cleaner or brake parts cleaner. I would suggest doing this before you've started it up for the day so it'll be cool before spraying a cold spray on it.
