Idle not correct when slowing or stopping

BBJK08

MEMBER
1995 CHEVROLET CAMARO
240,000 MILES

I'm having issues with idling. When driving at low speeds or coming to a stop, the car doesn't want to idle correctly. The RPMs fluctuate and the engine sounds like it's going to die (It usually doesn't, but has on occasion). As long as my foot is on the accelerator, I don't have any problems, however, it does hesitate when I press on it initially. I mostly have problems when the car is warm, and I'm having to make lots of starts and stops. Sometimes when driving down the interstate I let off the accelerator pedal and notice the RPMs pulsating slightly, but as I put my foot back on the pedal, it hesitates and then goes normally. Also sometimes when driving the 'Service Engine Soon' light comes on for a short while but always goes off on its own (This has happened 3 or 4 times now). The other day, a friend noticed that the EGR valve was loose at the bottom of the tube, so I took it off and replaced the gasket, but I'm still having the same problems. I don't have much money to spend, and I can't get the codes scanned at AutoZone because it's an OBD1.

Monday, June 24th, 2013 AT 8:22 AM

3 Replies

BBJK08

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I should also mention that if parked and idling somewhere like a driveway it does fine.

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Monday, June 24th, 2013 AT 8:36 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
110,176 POSTS

Check for vacuum leaks and check the idle air control valve. As far as scanning the engine, it only takes a second and most shops will do it for free.

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Monday, June 24th, 2013 AT 7:52 PM

BBJK08

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Update: I took it to a local mechanic. He hooked it up to his computer and it said that both oxygen sensors are bad, and also the throttle position sensor wasn't working properly. The throttle position sensor isn't old though, I've only had it for about 3 years, but I installed it myself and the mechanic said that it should be calibrated when installed.

We later discovered that my catalytic converter as well as my muffler was clogged, and he said that could be the reason it was showing that the oxygen sensors were bad. He took the converter off and installed a new muffler so that fixed the clog but he didn't check the oxygen sensors again to see if that fixed the problem.

I'm supposed to take it back to him after I get a new throttle position sensor and he said he'd put that on properly for me for a small fee. He said AutoZone parts aren't that great which is where the throttle position sensor came from. So where do you recommend I get one from?

Most shops around here will not do it for free as the car is an OBD1 and most places only do OBD2 these days

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Tuesday, June 25th, 2013 AT 5:53 AM