odd problem

I have a 2002 Chevy Cavalier. With about 42,000 miles. After driving for a while, the engine does something I can't figure out. Sitting at a stop light, the idle will fluctuate between 1,000 and 2,000 rpms. This is with the transmission (automatic) in drive. When I put it in nuetral, the idle smooths out to about 1,000 rpm and remains stable. Any ideas?

Any lights come on? like an SES light?

No lights.

weird...ok then it will be a difficult problem to solve...so many things it could possibly be. this would be a hard diagnoses for a tech also because more than likeley there probably aren't any codes stored in the computer. Have you ben keeping up with regular maintenaince? if it has the 2.2L did you have the 30k mile service done? plugs and that sort of thing?

Really the only thing you can do is bring it to chevy and have hem look at it. or a good mechanic in your area. If you have any sort of extended warranty i would bring it down right away. Although if it's determined to be a problem in the drivetrain I believe that would be covered fo 8 yrs or 80k mile...most GM's do.

my car did that once and it ended up being the oddest thing... the fuel filter was getting clogged

the filter would clog and presure would build up... when the pressure got to strong it would blow through the filter and rev the engine...



it was odd but a very cheap fix in the end

I think Burnstyle is right, check your fuel filter and if that doesn`t work it may be sucking air somewhere,check the pvc valve

It really is a wise idea to check the cheapest solutions first. Possibly fuel filter, possible a slight vaccuum leak, posssibly bad gas..like I said before it can be so many things.

you car may just be tempting you to go faster rd :P

many mechanics hook up the llittle hand held computer to your car for free.Many things are checked.Not everything but anything electrical shows up.Among others.

the possibilities are endless....maybe bad fuel injectors (ur wallet is praying it not to be)

if you take it to ANYWHERE the problem will be whatever is more expensive, so hope you figure that shit out

update us and lets find out what you did ok?

sur I cld say tak it to a mech but no fun in that. I'm goi w chase on the vacumm...maybe. I sugest u take it out on higway give it a good rompin 100 mph or so clean out th bullshit. automatics are huge vacuum sux but it mit b fuel related. not likely w fuel inj tho unles a fuel injector. final solutn- when it revs just turn th dial on th stereo 2 th rit. new car so not likly serious

Quote:

Originally posted by wesburnsco86

update us and lets find out what you did ok?

This is my girlfriend's car actually. I asked her if she had ever cleaned the fuel system. She said no. 3 years and better than 40,000 miles. Damn!! So I put a bottle of good quality injector cleaner in the tank. So far it seems to be helping.

Injector Cleaner will do nothing for your Fuel Filter.....which is exactly what the problem is. My last three cars all did the same thing at one point, and it was the filter every single time.

Was going to look at the filter next. But all those miles, and never had the injectors cleaned. It needed done anyway.

Where in the hell IS the fuel filter on this fucking thing??

theres so many possible problems......

i dunno..lol..im car illiterate...

Quote:

Originally posted by rainbowdemon

Where in the hell IS the fuel filter on this fucking thing??

It depends on the car, RD... It is sometimes near the gas tank, sometimes next to the engine. And, depending on where it is, will depend on how expensive it will be to change. On some cars, you have to remove the gas tank to get to it...


EDIT: I just realized I may be thinking of the fuel pump... I think the fuel FILTER is always near the gas tank... Just hope they don't need to remove the tank to get to it.