Hoping someone can give me some advice please.

My 2001 has been idling erratically for about 2 weeks now. When I start the engine it will rev up to around 2000 RPM, and then will slowly work it's way down to under 1000. But then when I come to a stop it will sometimes idle under 1000 and sometimes at 1000 and then sometimes a little over 1000. It seems to run fine but I know something isn't right...

I don't know a lot when it comes to repair, so I'm hoping someone out there who does can help me out.

thank you

Shawn
New Albany, IN

 

Does it do it with the air/heat on some times the a/c or even the defrost will make it idle funny cause it put drag on the motor

 

check the IAC on the throttle body it controld the idle, so if gits dirty it will idle wierd

 

Thank you for your replies.....

It does idle weird even when A/C or heat is off. I'll check the IAC....

keep em coming...

 

yes.

Pull the throttle body off and disassemble it. Put the TPS aside, nothing to clean on it. Clean the plate, bore, IAC, and IAC passages. Clean the IAC with the plunger pointing "down" so the solvent doesn't get in the electrics. Remove the O-rings from everything because the solvent will swell them.

Let everything dry and reassmble it. Don't forget the o-ring on the IAC.

Start it up and give it a minute to stabilize and re-learn idle.

 

Thank you, let me ask you...do you feel someone who doesn't work on vehicles very often should mess with this, or am I better off taking it somewhere?

 

There's no better way to learn than to do it.

 

Do you recommend any certain solvent?

 

Good news.....I believe the problem is solved!! I took off the throttle body and disassembled it, then cleaned everything, put it all back together and my Jeep runs great, idles perfectly!!

It took me a couple of hours, keep in mind that I am a novice to car repair, however I enjoyed it and I felt manly, my wife thought so as well!

Anyway, thank you for the advice, I appreciate it and I appreciate saving some money by staying away from the repair shop. The only cost I had was a gasket and carb cleaner.

Shawn - New Albany IN