rough, low idle problem

[9lb_SHO]

lately i have noticed that my SHO will idle roughly but only sometimes and only when the car is stopped. today i was sitting and it had been idling for about a minute and all of a sudden the RPM's fell to 500 and it sounded like i had a lopey idle cam in there. it sounded pretty cool to tell the truth but i dont think it is a good sign. my car has around 123,000 miles on it and i thought it might be the ignition at first but its fine after i press the gas and get going. i have stock plug wires. im not sure if it has had a 60K service yet but i think it has b/c my dad got the car from a dealer w/about 70K miles and he says they usually will look at what needs to be fixed and fix it before they sell it. can someone please help me find out what is wrong w/my car? frown

 

[sdpatt]

Even if it had the upper end work done (doubtful, that's why these cars change hands at 60,000-70,000 miles), you are due for new plugs and possibly wires. Since it is an ATX, you were due for a new timing belt and a new serpentine belt at 100,000 miles. Pull the front three plug boots and check for oil in the wells. Have you disconnected the battery lately? That would require an idle reset. That engine sounds overdue for some needed maintenance.

 

[9lb_SHO]

ya well it probably is in need of maintenance b/c my dad beat the crap out of it before i got it and he changed the oil very infrequently. i disconnected the battery about 2 months ago but never noticed the problem till recently. what is and idle reset?

 

[bigsho]

9lb_SHO:
what is and idle reset?

Disconnect the battery and turn the lights on for 10 min. Reconnect the battery start the car turn the a/c on max, turn the wheel all the way left and right turn on everything else. Do this for 70 seconds.

 

[Prembird]

does the car make a funny sound when the idle drops.. kinda a growl sound to it... rpm drops to around 500 and if you give it gas it goes away.. get moving and runs fine.. does it stall out.. if so then i had the same problem with a tbird sc that i use to own.. after checking into it i found out that it was the iac valve (idle air control)... replaced it and it ran good as new...

 

[9lb_SHO]

that is exactly what happens but it doesnt stall but it sure feels like it does. thanks ill try it.

 

[Prembird]

iac valve is cheap and easy to replace... but yea mine would die if i goosed it pretty good but just pulling in or starting it it would idle low and growl at me.... rev it and it seems fine, driving seemed fine, actually mine lost a little power because of it but as soon as i replaced it it all came back..

 

[9lb_SHO]

where can i find one?