Spazzaroth Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 (edited) So my 1989 Reatta has a rough idle. I know there's been lots of posts about this but I'm going to ask the question again. I recently replaced the alternator and the battery in my car and when I did my car started to die when stopped at stop lights. It takes about 5 to 10 seconds after I stop at the light for the idle to dip and the engine to die. It had a rough idle before but it would only dip down to about 500 RPM and wouldn't die. now if I'm stopped at a stoplight for 10 seconds and I don't shift into neutral the car will die. I recently replaced all three relays, this didn't change anything. if I shift the car into neutral the idle will still vary from about 900 to 500 RPM but it won't die. I checked the TPI and everything looks good on that. just wondering if any of you experts out there had any suggestions on what else to check. Edited February 22, 2019 by Spazzaroth (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spazzaroth Posted February 22, 2019 Author Share Posted February 22, 2019 I've also cleaned the mass airflow sensor and the throttle body to no effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVES89 Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 Did you also clean the idle control valve as well as the orifice it fits into? Get an old toothbrush and clean the "spring" part of the idle control valve with carb cleaner. Then spray the carb cleaner into the orifice and clean that out as well also using a toothbrush. You will be surprised at how much gunk is in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 You might have a small vacuum leak ...... that can cause the idle to be bad or the engine to die..........another clue, if the cruise will not hold, you can have a vacuum leak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCOTT's 90's Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 When you say it is idling between 900 and 500rpm is it idle hunting? Does the idle rise quickly to 900 and then quickly fall to 500, Or is it just a gradual movement? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spazzaroth Posted February 24, 2019 Author Share Posted February 24, 2019 it actually hovers around 900 and then will dip down quickly to 500 or so and then back up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dship Posted February 24, 2019 Share Posted February 24, 2019 32 minutes ago, Spazzaroth said: it actually hovers around 900 and then will dip down quickly to 500 or so and then back up. Don't know if this is a solution to your problem, but I actually had this condition on my former '92 Riviera. I replaced the O2 sensor and all was back to normal. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spazzaroth Posted February 27, 2019 Author Share Posted February 27, 2019 Thanks. I'll give that a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spazzaroth Posted March 23, 2019 Author Share Posted March 23, 2019 On 2/24/2019 at 10:24 AM, DShip said: Don't know if this is a solution to your problem, but I actually had this condition on my former '92 Riviera. I replaced the O2 sensor and all was back to normal. I replace the O2 sensor. The car runs beautifully now. Thank you so much brother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spazzaroth Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 Ok so after running it awhile again I notice that when the car warms up the idle will still dip down. It seems like it's not dieing any more, which is a step in the right direction. Going to check the idle control when it's warm. I think last time I checked it it was cold.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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