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Rough idle, no power

  • Thread starter Thread starter m0squ1t0
  • Start date Start date Dec 22, 2011
M

m0squ1t0

Member
Feb 3, 2011
103
2
19
Dec 22, 2011
#1
  • Dec 22, 2011
  • #1
My 2001auto gt is having an issue Im hoping to fix in the morning if we can diagnose it. The car will shake at red lights and has idle issues. The tach will do a sweeping motion as if the car is looking for a position to idle at. Then when I push on the gas the car stumbles unless I make the Rpms jump. I had a code for the driver side front o2 sensor needing to be replaced, and plan on doing that tomorrow, are these symptoms of the o2 sensor or something else? I'm thinking iacv is possible, opinions?
 

wmburns

SN Certified Technician
Aug 14, 2009
5,892
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Houston Texas
Dec 22, 2011
#2
  • Dec 22, 2011
  • #2
The gauge sweep means that power has been lost at some point. It's normal for the idle to be rough after a power reset. Remember that the PCM must "re-learn" idle trim values.

If this were my car, I would look close at the battery and battery cables. Are they clean and tight? Does the battery hold a charge? Does the alternator test OK?

I have been trouble shooting DTC codes for a long time. In all that time, I have never seen a DTC code that said positively that the O2 sensor needed to be replaced. It's always a good idea to post the full DTC codes. Remember there are 1000's and they each have a story to tell.

So before you replace anything, look for vacuum leaks. Change the PCV value.
 
M

m0squ1t0

Member
Feb 3, 2011
103
2
19
Dec 22, 2011
#3
  • Dec 22, 2011
  • #3
Car did the same thing at start up tonight, cranked up and immediately was rough and lacking power unless I floored it. Also had what shounded like a backfire if that's relevant.
 
M

m0squ1t0

Member
Feb 3, 2011
103
2
19
Dec 22, 2011
#4
  • Dec 22, 2011
  • #4
Oh and no gauges didn't all sweep burns, I know why that looks like, just the tach bouncing around Between 0 and 1 on the tach
 
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