I have a 92 se. five speed. about 130,000 miles. at initial start-up car idles at roughly 1400 rpm after if warms up a little idle drops to 900 and runs smooth sometimes with out any problems. While driving on the highway or driving at any crusing speed the car runs great. Other times for instance when stopped at a red light the car will bounce between 100-700 rpms and eventually just die. i havent checked anything out yet because it just started happening.

 

quick clear up* car doesnt idle at 1400 rpms roughly. it idles smooth at about 1400 rpms.

 

I bet you need to clean the device that is circled in the pic, sorry I don't know it's name off hand.

EDIT: Sorry picture was from a VG motor not the VE
Image removed

 

89blackse OMG Clean Your engine Compartment Pa Leez. Although Your Filter Is Nice and bright

 

^^i forget exactly when but about 11 years ago (when it was my dads car) the oil was changed but they did something wrong and all the oil was drained (seizing the engine too) and sprayed all over the engine bay. Ever since then it's been truly nasty under there, but at this point I don't care about her.

For the record it still has that same engine (and tranny) with 202k miles as of today, a testament to the VG.

 

Awsome I got 146k. I found that using the green yellow top Armoral Wipes works wonder on the plastic and tubes in the engine bay. it puts like a layer over it preventing dust from collecting. that pic I took was this morning and I cleaned it last month. I drive it EVERY day too.

 

I am just guessing, but your problem is likely cracked or malfunctioning coil packs or a gunked up IACV and/or throttle body.

 

dood, i always forget to look what year car is in their profile. Please disregard my picture then, as it is to a VG motor.

 

my car is having this same problem right now only it's a VG. i just changed the oil and new sparks plugs and air filter. a friend said that i should change the solenoid. what do you guys think happen here??

 

Vacuum leak or idle air control valve problem is a good bet. Or perhaps the coolant temperature sensor.

 

Also, when this occur i tend to step on the gas to rev it up a few time hoping it will solve the problem. This causes popping sounds coming from the engine bay (sound like the air flow). Could this be it, i just want to be sure because MAF is expensive to replace. Stepping on the gas does help bring the car back to normal status for a while.