Idle Speed

[hrc0105]

I start the engine in my '99 LC. I shift into Drive. I let off the brake... And I go nowhere. I've gotta hit the accelerator to move, making itt seem sort of reluctant to get moving. Same while in Reverse or any of the low gears.
Is there a problem with my idle speed? I've not ever driven another LC/LX, so all I have to compare it to is a '01 Yukon XL and an '06 4Runner. Both seem to pretty much "take off" when letting off the brake (from stopped) while in drive --- something I consider normal in a vehicle. I also have been noticing that whenever I am stopped and then accelerate, my lights become considerably brighter, as if the battery weakens unless the car is moving.
(My LC had been getting some minor repairs last week, during which I drove an '05 Mustang and a '03 Grand Cherokee from the dealership... I guess that just made this characteristic of my LC stand out)

 

[DMX84]

What are your RPM’s reading now?

 

[SINCITY100]

I start the engine in my '99 LC. I shift into Drive. I let off the brake... And I go nowhere. I've gotta hit the accelerator to move, making itt seem sort of reluctant to get moving. Same while in Reverse or any of the low gears.
Is there a problem with my idle speed? I've not ever driven another LC/LX, so all I have to compare it to is a '01 Yukon XL and an '06 4Runner. Both seem to pretty much "take off" when letting off the brake (from stopped) while in drive --- something I consider normal in a vehicle. I also have been noticing that whenever I am stopped and then accelerate, my lights become considerably brighter, as if the battery weakens unless the car is moving.
(My LC had been getting some minor repairs last week, during which I drove an '05 Mustang and a '03 Grand Cherokee from the dealership... I guess that just made this characteristic of my LC stand out)

It sounds like your battery voltage is low, check the output of your battery and alternator...

 

[hrc0105]

What are your RPM’s reading now?

It sounds like your battery voltage is low, check the output of your battery and alternator...

My RPM's seem to be normal... Not particularly low or high. Sorry I can't give any specific numbers at the moment.
I'm thinking that the battery voltage being low may be the problem. Last when I started the vehicle after picking it up from repairs, the LC would lose all power within 5 seconds of the engine starting. Apparently a door or something had been left open for a long time, so the guys hooked up a jump-starter kit to the battery. The LC immediately started and held power... Would this constitute a battery replacement? I've been driving this vehicle since January 2005, and never not since replaced the battery. I always assumed the whole thing "no power at idle" was normal for big trucks, til I drove the Yukon

 

[NMuzj100]

I would get a electrical system test. Free at any auto store . Does your truck still have the OEM Panasonic battery?

My 98 pulls pretty well at idle.

Have you checked the transmission fluid level ?

 

[cpcc]

If if dies while it is running, it sounds like the alternator. The system will keep on running even with a bad alternator, the system stops when the battery looses all of its juice.

Lights definately get a little brighter after ~1000 rpm. THis is normal. If you add an aftermarket grounding system the lights stay bright even at idle, and engine performance also improves IMHO.

Drive the car at highway speeds for a while. After coming to stop, touch all the rims. If any one rim is hotter than the other, then it sounds like one of the calipers is seized. This would be the reason your truck doesn't move at idle.

 

[hrc0105]

I would get a electrical system test. Free at any auto store . Does your truck still have the OEM Panasonic battery?

My 98 pulls pretty well at idle.

Have you checked the transmission fluid level ?

The battery is a Toyota TrueStart 84 Month --- installed April 2004. I received this vehicle around January 2005, and this has been going on ever since. I have not checked the trans fluid, but I do have it serviced probably at least once a month, and they are supposed to check for all that (I have no reason to think they don't).
I'll have to try the heated caliper test when I drive to the city this weekend (50 miles of highway and interstate).
Thanks for your patience - I'm fairly new to the whole "car upkeep" stuff, as I'm only 18! So far I've learned that I will never purchase a used car unless I must, no matter who the previous owner was (in my case, a family friend who took extremely good care and low miles - upgraded to an '05 LC). I want things done my way from day 1, so no questioning the origins of strange occurances like this one!

 

[Tinkerer]

Drive the car at highway speeds for a while. After coming to stop, touch all the rims. If any one rim is hotter than the other, then it sounds like one of the calipers is seized. This would be the reason your truck doesn't move at idle.

Interesting idea, to drive it and compare relative wheel temperatures to attempt to see if any caliper is heating more than the others.

BUT:

I'd recommend removing the wheels and checking things directly. The wheel heating trick could miss things, or lead to false conclusions.

(Plus - continuing to drive it, if there IS a frozen caliper ?! A safety risk, and it might leave you stranded somewhere.)

<snip>...I do have it serviced probably at least once a month, and they are supposed to check for all that (I have no reason to think they don't).<snip>

(Tinkerer chuckles...)

Do you have any reason to think they do?

1. It is far more likely that (a) things will be missed in performing a routine service checklist, than (b) the possibility that 100% will be done correctly and all faults found.

2. Your experience tells you all is not well with the vehicle.

1 + 2 = __________ ?

 

[100 TD]

Well this may be harsh by some but to me........lets face reality!!

I received this vehicle around January 2005, and this has been going on ever since.

14 months and unresolved???????? Some one is seeing money walking in the door here!

but I do have it serviced probably at least once a month,

Well surely after 14 services you should have sorted it out?? More money walking in the door!!

as I'm only 18! So far I've learned that I will never purchase a used car unless I must, no matter who the previous owner was (in my case, a family friend who took extremely good care and low miles

Why not ? possibly better than a new vehicle, does it matter who takes your money in the longer term (a new or used car salesman) and takes you for a ride?

I want things done my way from day 1, so no questioning the origins of strange occurances like this one!

Well after 14 services you haven't done anything about the problem so I don't how you are doing anything your way. Still as long as you are happy to keep forking out the cash each month, then I'm sure someone will take it off you. Obviously you are doing 60,000 to 90,000 miles each year so I suppose service costs would be high.

 

[NMuzj100]

If you add an aftermarket grounding system the lights stay bright even at idle, and engine performance also improves IMHO.

What is an aftermarket grounding system?