Low idle intermittently, Occasional starting issues

[lizzardfire]

So a few weeks back my car began idling low every once in a while. What I mean is, I'd start my car, and maybe 1 out of every 3 times I did it would idle at like 400/500 instead of regular idle. It would do this for the entire time the car was on. I figured it was fuel filter so I ran seafoam and changed the fuel filter (also did oil/filter if that matters).

That solved the problems for a week or two. Now I'm having the low idle issue again, but much less often. Also, occasionally when I start the car I'll have to press in the gas for it to start.

I think this is a fuel issue. Is my fuel pump going bad? What else could it be?

[josh98bird]

Re: Low idle intermittently, Occasional starting issues

did the car sit for a long time... my dad's truck did the same but only when the tank got below 1/3. The gas was like gunk build up.

He went through alot of fuel filters... and never fixed the problem. I new tank would have fixed it but he ended up selling it.

[lizzardfire]

Re: Low idle intermittently, Occasional starting issues

No- car did not sit for a long time. The issues started happening after a 2500 mile road trip.

[Niko97RS]

Re: Low idle intermittently, Occasional starting issues

sounds like alternator maybe a pulley?

[lizzardfire]

Re: Low idle intermittently, Occasional starting issues

how would the alternator cause low idle intermittently? Especially considering it doesn't go on/off while I'm driving the car. In addition voltage is ALWAYS what it should be for a given RPM range.

[RyanAndyBob]

Re: Low idle intermittently, Occasional starting issues

Check your fuel sensor....if it only happens sometimes maybe its going bad and the computer isnt reading it right.

[tooltime]

Re: Low idle intermittently, Occasional starting issues

Sounds like a fuel pump. Does it stumble when accelerating.

[bonesbrakr]

Re: Low idle intermittently, Occasional starting issues

could be the IAC valve in the throttle body clogged with carbon buildup.... from the symptoms sounds like a good candidate....