High idle, low idle, shuts off

Tiny
ENGLISHMAJOR
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 GMC SUBURBAN
  • 160,000 MILES
This problem has been intractable. Or maybe it's more than one problem. Since purchasing the truck 10 years ago it has had a high idle. On starting the engine will pull 1,000 up to 1,500 rpm. Putting it into reverse to back out of the driveway drops the RPM down to 700. But it returns to high idle in drive. After driving for a while it will sometimes drop down to 600 RMP at idle, but start sounding a bit rough. The lower it goes the rougher it gets until it dies. So maybe once a week it will die at a stoplight. It requires full throttle for a restart and one foot on the throttle, one on the brake to hold the RPM up in order not to die again. Running, in park, it often searches going from 700 to 1000 RPM. Replaced PCU valve (GM), coolant temperature sensor feeding ECM, 02 sensor, idle air control (gm), throttle position sensor (gm) EGR valve (gm), EGR vacuum switch (gm), MAP censor, distributor pickup, and rebuilt throttle body including pressure regulator. Thoughts?
Thursday, November 7th, 2019 AT 5:07 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Hi:

My first suspects were the IAC and a fuel pressure issue. Have you confirmed fuel pressure isn't low or high?

Have you pulled diagnostic trouble codes that may help narrow it down? With the GM OBD1 system, you can get codes with a short jumper wire or even a paper clip. If you haven't done this, try it and let me know what you find. Here is a link that explains how to get codes:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/buick-cadillac-chevy-gmc-oldsmobile-pontiac-gm-1983-1995-obd1-code-definitions-and-retrieval-method

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 7:00 PM
Tiny
ENGLISHMAJOR
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No check engine light and no codes. It has occasionally shown the check engine light, but by the time we get it back home there is no light and no code.
Have not investigated the fuel pressure because it runs fine with throttle.
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Saturday, November 9th, 2019 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Interesting. The OBD1 usually will store codes even when the engine light goes off. Are you certain there are no vacuum leaks on the engine?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Also, are there any exhaust leaks pre catalytic converter?

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, November 9th, 2019 AT 10:00 PM

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