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unstable RPM, sometimes completely died


ernesto821
12-06-2007, 06:14 PM
hello,
I was having this problem in my 2002 pontiac grand am 2.2L for a while now. I have manual transmission. The RPM is kinda unstable when idle, it sometimes go up to 2000 and stays there. But, sometimes, it would sit around 4-500 when I am rolling the car in neutral. it is even worse when i turn on air conditioning. it would come up to 1000 and then, go down to 4-500 and repeat that circle for a lot of times. I have replaced fuel filter and seemed to help a bit for a few days. But, i m having the same problem again. I've to turn the engine off and wait for a while till it act normal again. this has been really really annoying.


any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

xeroinfinity
12-06-2007, 07:30 PM
I'd check for vacum leaks first then you might want to test your Idle air control (IAC).

Here's a link for the test procedures.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=663849

Sometimes a good cleaning will correct idle issues. ;)

ps - that link refers to the other engine, but is applicable to your 2.2 as well.

ernesto821
12-08-2007, 12:08 AM
thanks very much. i m gonna try that after nxt week, after my finals :S

hope this actually help.. i've replaced aircon compressor, which costed me a fortune, as the dealer said it was the problem, and the fuel filter :banghead: hope this actually solve the problem ... it had been really annoying & dangerous, since the engine would just die when i m rolling in neutral and suddenly, the steering wheel won't move at all. it's a miracle that i didn't ran into anything yet.

ernesto821
12-08-2007, 12:44 AM
can you tell me how to remove the part circled in red also? I have to take that part off to reach IAC, right? I see only one pin(red arrow in the picture), that keep that thing in place.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/a0e4d49d85.jpg

xeroinfinity
12-08-2007, 09:16 AM
That part in red is part of the air intake, pretty easily removed.
Remove the hose clamp on the right(in the pic) holding the intake tubing, and remove the smaller hose on the back left, that connects to the valve cover.
And I think thier's another small hose on the lower right, just below the red arrow.

This pic might help you......
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c242/xeroinfinity/fisslesticks/2-7.jpg

That pic came from the Tips and Maintenance sub forum (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=2148)-parts lists....

The Ecotec's are pretty good little engines IMO.

ernesto821
12-15-2007, 04:06 PM
i was driving in snow this morning. and ran into a curb while trying to turn an L corner. i should have replaced my tires earlier!! :(:(:( I wasn't going fast at all (10-15 mph) and the car just slowly slide and hit the curb. and, the rims were bent. :( is it possible to have other damages?
i noticed that alignment is off .. but, is there anything that could be damaged than rims??? i am really hoping that it isn't...
i gotta wait till monday for tire shops to open again. that'd be great if someone could tell me that it is only bent rims so that i could sleep well today and tomorrow.

PS: can't even understand why i always have problems with cars.. !!

EDIT: i just read somewhere that if the steering wheel is not pointing straight anymore, it could be front suspension damage!?!?!? can anyone confirm this? and tell me how much this could cost? please

xeroinfinity
12-15-2007, 05:45 PM
If you hit the front wheel you could have knocked the alignment out realy good. Same as with your steering wheel not pointing straight, its an alignment issue.

Though, its hard to tell without a proper inspection.
You can damage other components of the steering/suspension.

I'd also consider finding some better tires, and a new rim.

ernesto821
12-15-2007, 08:28 PM
If you hit the front wheel you could have knocked the alignment out realy good. Same as with your steering wheel not pointing straight, its an alignment issue.

Though, its hard to tell without a proper inspection.
You can damage other components of the steering/suspension.

I'd also consider finding some better tires, and a new rim.
do u have any recommendation for where to find new rims?
I couldn't find a rim shop around this area: it's a small town.... and the one i found said it would cost about $1500.
http://www.wheelsnext.com
i was checking on this website and it is only about 700 for good looking KOBE rims with 205/40/17, tires although they don't tell what tire would come with the wheels.

ernesto821
12-22-2007, 09:56 PM
i got 17 inch enkei rims and yokohama tires :P,.. i can actually feel my wheels now.. and.. i took out the IAC this morning but, i can't check the resistance between two terminals coz i can't find my ohm-meter.. after i put it back in, the rpm kinda stayed high for a while and then, went down, leaving check engine light on. the code says "high IDLE rpm" ... i got the code reset and.. it's been working so far.. not sure if the problem actually go away though...

Thank you very much for your help!

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