almost stalling @ idle

[RussBow6]

i hope i explain this right... i have a '94 cruiser with auto tranny... lately when i slow down and almost idle (ie stoplight or traffic) the car seems to shake/vibrate as if it was stalling... if i let up on the brake or accelerate a little it will go away. any thoughts? thanks a lot i appreciate any help
~Russ

 

[landtank]

stuck EGR valve maybe or some vacuum leak. Anyone in there doing some work recently?

 

[RussBow6]

the engine light came on so i had a mechanic take a look he said it was the maf fuse... engine light came back on though but i was on my way to college so i couldnt do anything about it

 

[landtank]

Your 94 has the older OBD so you can read the code by reading the CE light blinks with a paper clip installed on a connector. I'm not familiar with the proceedure but once you know the code we'll be able to tell you what's wrong.


edit: We're in CT are you. I'll be heading to NJ for the week and might have time to stop by on Friday to take a look. Stamford maybe?

 

[MoJ]

I had similar symptoms on my 94 last April but without the check engine light. I cleaned the throttle body plate thoroughly (without removing the TB) with 3M TB cleaner and the problem has not returned. Use the search feature and you should find a thread from me on the topic. If it doesn't fix it at least your TB plate will be clean and working properly.

 

[Scamper]

Could be cracked intake or hose, but sounds very much like TB servide needed.

 

[IdahoDoug]

I'd guess the thick black rubber tube from the air cleaner to the engine was cracked by the mechanic when he yanked the air cleaner lid up to check the air cleaner filter rather than properly removing one end of the black hose. Simply loosen up the air cleaner lid clips and the wingnut, then use a phillips screwdriver to loosen the tube's hose clamps and wiggle the tube off for a look. The cracks will be in the convoluted bellows section on the bottom of the tube.

DougM

 

[landtank]

I'm not sure why all the wild guesses here. The CE light came on before the mechanic looked at it, which is why it was brought to him in the first place. First thing is to do is to get that code pulled.

 

[RussBow6]

im in philly for college right now... but thanks for the offer... ill try and figure out how to get the codes

 

[IdahoDoug]

Maybe I got the sequence wrong here and Russ can clear this up. Mine would be a wild ass guess if you didn't know my assumption here. I thought you had the check engine light come on and no real drivability issues. Then a mechanic looked it over and you came away with a stumbling and shaking engine. Yes/No?

If it was already stumbling/shaking when you brought it in, then check the black tube, but agree you need to get a code. Which scenaria is this?

DougM

 

[cruiserman]

im in philly for college right now... but thanks for the offer... ill try and figure out how to get the codes

Short TE1 and E1 pins on diagnostic connector on the firewall (passenger's side). I use a paper clip.

Turn key to on position (not start). Count flashes of CEL. For example, I got code 28 on Friday. The light flashed 2 times, paused, then 8 flashes. It repeats. You may have more than 1 code.

 

[tucsonlx]

I haven't had this happen to my LX yet but I had a pathfinder that did this when the airfilter would get dirty (OK, relly dirty). It would set the check engine light off and everything. It did exactly what you are describing. After I put a new filter in it ran like a champ and the light went off the next day.

 

[tucker74]

I'm with DougM on this one - that's exactly how my '93 acted when my intake hose was cracked. Throw some 100MPH tape around it (until you can get a new one ) and I bet you're back in business. Don't think this would fix the check engine light though (as cruiserman mentioned) -



Tucker

 

[landtank]

Doug, I don't think that there two more polar opposite people when it comes to diagnosing problems than me and you. Inevitably if I'm suggesting toward a solusion you're suggesting more research and when your suggesing a solution I'm suggesting more research. Just reading your reponse as how you interpreted his intial post, it was 180 out of what I got from it.


Glad to finally realise it's not personal, it's genetics and we're probably going to go on being two disaggreable Mofos for the forseen future

 

[IdahoDoug]

I can't think of a more enjoyable disagreeable MoFo to hang with than you. We'd be a pair around a campfire someday, eh?

DougM