2003 Nissan Altima Engine RPM"S

Tiny
TOEBUD
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 116,000 MILES
I have a 2003 Nissan Altima that after the engine warms up the rpm's at idle will flucuate up and down. When you start the engine while cold it seems to idle normal. Do you think this might be a exhaust manifold leak or losing vaccum?
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008 AT 8:19 AM

14 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
You may have a vacuum leak, get a can of spray gumout, spray the vac lines and maniflod area, when the idle changes, youve found the leak! You want the engine running and spray on the outside but do direct the stream onto the hoses, if it is a vacuum leak, the engine idle will change speed, then you have detected a leak, repair the vacuum leak and see how it runs!
If no leaks, check the Idle air control valve.
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008 AT 9:03 AM
Tiny
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Thanks
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008 AT 9:08 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Your Welcome! BTW if your check engine light is on, go to Autozone and have the codes read, they do it free, then post the code(s) here!
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008 AT 9:30 AM
Tiny
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[quote="merlin2021"]Your Welcome! BTW if your check engine light is on, go to Autozone and have the codes read, they do it free, then post the code(s) here![/Quote
The code was P0507.I checked for a vaccum leak and had no luck finding one. I cleaned the throttle body. Where would the idle air control unit be located on this altima?Any info much appreciated
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Friday, February 1st, 2008 AT 6:33 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Here's what you need to check...the part is electronic on your car...electronic throttle control actuator....


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_p0507Description_1.jpg


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Elec_Throttle_Control_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_p0507_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_p05071_1.jpg

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Friday, February 1st, 2008 AT 11:04 AM
Tiny
LOSTINMARS
  • MECHANIC
  • 222 POSTS
Idles needs to be relearned with a capable scan tool or the throttle body assy needs replaced and the idle relearned by a capable scan tool.
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Friday, February 1st, 2008 AT 10:55 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
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This is what happens when people need to be edjucated...they give bad advice...Relearn proceedures without Consult II tool are as follows...


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Relearn_2.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Relearn1_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Relearn2_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Relearn3_1.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Relearn4_1.jpg

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Saturday, February 2nd, 2008 AT 6:40 AM
Tiny
LOSTINMARS
  • MECHANIC
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Well since you didn't suggest it i'd say that you've never seen it happen. You can take that mitchell procedure and chuck it. The right way is with a capable scan tool.
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Monday, February 4th, 2008 AT 8:31 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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You may be right! But it won't hurt the guy to check it out.
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Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 AT 8:29 AM
Tiny
TOEBUD
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I took the car to a certified nissan dealer and they checked and reprogrammed ECM and cleared code.
Car seems to be idling at normal speed now
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Thursday, February 14th, 2008 AT 10:05 AM
Tiny
SYNSAGE
  • MEMBER
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Merlin2021 - thanks for the "relearn info". My 2002 altima had the same problem really really bad for a few months before I did something. I took it to the dealer but they wanted to rebuild the throttle body in my car. They said they tried to relearn the idle but it didn't take! I think it was like $300+ to do the repair they wanted to do. I said no thanks and found this info online back in october I think. I lost the instructions & my car has actually started having the same problem again. I will try to reset again and maybe nissan will have some type of recall as everyone seems curious as why this is happening to the car.
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Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 AT 8:38 PM
Tiny
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The Nissan Tech that performed the service work told me that he had trouble reprogramming the computer on his first attempt. He said it took a little longer than usual. He said he had no answer why the computer wouldn't reset. Nissan charged me $56 for this repair. I changed the throttle body out twice before I made the trip to Nissan.
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Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 AT 6:56 PM
Tiny
SYNSAGE
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How much did it cost to change out the throttle body? Was this something easy to do?
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Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 AT 7:24 PM
Tiny
TOEBUD
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The Throttle body is easy is change out. Only four bolts mounts the throttle body. Just remove the air duct and it is easy to get to. The problem is that when you unplug the throttle body the computer will have to relearn the process. I tried to reset on a OBD 2 scanner and could not get the system to relearn. Had to go to a Nissan dealer to relearn the process.
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Thursday, February 21st, 2008 AT 8:07 AM

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