Low idle?

Tiny
SCOTTWELDER
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 93,000 MILES
I have a o3 silverado with a 5.3 litre it first started to idle rough and at medium engine tempature when you came to a stop the volts would drop to about 11 and the rpms would drop to 300 or 400 it would shutter like it will die but the computer would sense it and ajust. So I did a tune up plugs and wires and trany fluid. While I was doing the tune up I had the battery disconected. When I was done I reconected the battery and started it. It idled fine but when you put it in drive it died and so I restarted it and put in drive and hit the gas and it drove fine but then when you had to stop it would die. I continued this process for 45 minutes to an hour trying to get it to throw a code. It did not throw a code. The computer just learned and adjusted for it and it is back to wanting to die when you come to a stop. I even disconected the ac compressor completely. Electronically and the belt and that is not it and bofore I start throwing expensive parts at it like a hundred dollar idle air control valve I need another pros opinion
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Thursday, February 7th, 2008 AT 8:45 PM

37 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
There is no IAC valve on this truck the problem is the throttle bore is dirty and needs to be cleaned here is a guide to help you fix the problem

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Thursday, February 7th, 2008 AT 9:21 PM
Tiny
OIDAVEY
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I had this problem and followed the guide worked perfect! I love this site.
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Tuesday, June 11th, 2019 AT 1:58 PM
Tiny
KID16
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
I have a 2003 Silverado 5.3L 4x4 with 76000 miles. After having a dead battery, I am having problems with the idle speed being too low. It will stall going through slow turns and after coming to a stop. RPM's are only at about 275-300 or even lower. Is there a way the computer will "relearn" the correct idle speed? Will a scan tool be required instead? Other than the low idle speed, it runs well with no fuel smell or missing.
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try this

Star engine and idle for 15secs-the shut it off wait another 15secs. Restart engine and check for proper idle.

Or you can take out the IACV and clean it and see what happens.

Nogo-its asking for the Tech2
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVYCAMAROGIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 86,000 MILES
My 03 Silverado started acting up again. A year ago I had this problem and it mysteriously went away after a few weeks. A few days ago it started the low idle and power loss again. I thought the battery was no good, charged it, still the same prob. I thought ok maybe its the alternator, went down to the auto parts, got one and popped it in. That wasnt it either. Now it seems like its just getting worse. I start the truck and it immediately idles down very low between the 0 & 1 rpm mark and then just dies. If I dont hold the gas peddle down it wont stay running. If I turn on the air conditioner it just sucks all the power from the truck and it will die even quicker. Lights will dim down as the idle drops lower.
I havent tried taking it on the road since. Strangely when this started my oil pressure gauge began working and then not working. Now the "ding ding" noise when I leave the door open or the key in the ignition is working. I recently had the plugs & wires, airfilter and oil changed and it was running fine after the service. I have heard of this problem from others with a 03 Silverado, any suggestions?
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
I think the two things I would do first is to see what codes are in the PCM.
Second, I would have the pcm read to find what calibration software is in it.

Then you can find what the most recent one is here:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/mitchell1eautorepair-car-repair-manuals

This may be a reprogamming problem.
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SLEE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Get you some intake and throttle body cleaner and a baby bottle brush and take off the air intake and clean out the carbon build up works great my 03 was doing the exact same thing I changed the alternator and battery and still the same thing. $230 later I pick up the $3 bottle of cleaner and it did the trick live and learn
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVYCAMAROGIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Thanks for the advise. I got some cleaner and sprayed the maf sensor out yesterday. I will try cleaning the intake too. I did put in a k&n air hog air filter just before this started. Some say not to use those filters because of the oils on it. I used it in my camaro and my motorcycle with no probs, maybe my truck is just picky. Thanks again. I will post results. L
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FORTRYAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 138,000 MILES
I changed my oil the other day and while my hood was up and I went inside for a drink my 6 year old son "washed" my engine for me. Luckily the cap was on the oil fill. However now I have a very low idle and the engine dies when I am turning sharp at slow speeds. The idle picks up a little when the A/C is off and the truck is in Park. It runs fine on the hwy just rough at low speed and at idle. On the bright side my engine is very shiny!
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVYCAMAROGIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
MY 03 SILVERADO IS DOING THE SAME THING. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU FIND OUT.
THANKS,
LAURIE
CHEVYCAMAROGIRL@YAHOO. COM
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HOUSEGUY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 75,000 MILES
I have a 2003 Chevy truck, 75,000 miles, auto trans, 4x4, 5.1 engine. Two problems occurred simultaneously. My battery died, completely dead. Upon testing the battery and replacing it and then starting the truck, my idle is so low that the truck will not continue to run at idle. The idle is about 300 rpms when the truck is fully warmed up and usually the truck stalls. If the vehicle starts cold, it runs fine until it warms up. Any ideas? Thank you.
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
Has the check engine light come on?
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HOUSEGUY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No check engine lights. Also I have driven the truck about 3 hours.

Thanks you in advance
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKM13
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 174,000 MILES
While driving my engine runs fine, but once I come to a stop or if I slow down to turn it drops to a very low idle or even dies. I've replaced the plugs and wires. And a friend of mine hooked up the scanner and it comes up with (purge valve & cataylic converter). Could something besides these two items be causing the very low idle and those two items to show as defective? I do not get a check engine light.

Rick
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
So engine does not idle or stalls only on slow down?
May have a vacuum leak that or EGR hanging open.
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKM13
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
When the truck is in Park it idles fine. It's when I'm coming to a stop to turn or just to slow down for traffic.
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TEX1521
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
After hitting the 80,000 mile mark my truck now has issues maintaining low idle. The truck wants to idle about 500 rpm. The truck will even stall when in reverse. Is there a way to check the computer setting? Could the computer be off or sending the wrong information to the engine? Can it be reset back to factory setting or can the idle be adjusted?
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Have you done any tune-up or maintenance lately? Is the check engine light on?

Your computer is preset at the factory. It is rather all the sensors and controllers that need to be cleaned/replaced to maintain the computer setting. Example will include but not limited to:
1. O2 sensors. They are usually good for 60K
2. MAF, TP, IAC valve sensor. Will need cleaning periodically.
3. CKP, CMP, ECT sensors need resistance/voltage checked.
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEEZE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
Electrical problem
2003 Chevy Silverado V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic

my battery died. I got a jump and now my truck runs fine but idles @300-400 rpms while sitting still. Feels like its going to stall, what is going on?
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Clean your battery cables and charge it. Then have the battery checked. If it's no good replace it because it screws up the computer when it's low and not working right. Also get some choke cleaner and clean the throttle plate on both sides as they gum up with oil.
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Wednesday, June 12th, 2019 AT 11:44 AM (Merged)

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