I've got an automatic first of all. I didn't notice this until a few days ago, but lately, my engine has been idling at 500rpm on some occasions and I was wondering if this is normal. A lil' info if you please!!

 

Mine idles around 1000 when I start it, and after a few miles, slows down to around 750. Mine is a 5sp, but hsould be similar idle settings.

Justin

 

The factory service manual says your A/T Maxima should idle at 700 +/- 50, in neutral.


Here is some text copied directly from the factory service manual.

"Idle Air Control Valve (IACV) -- Auxiliary Air Control (AAC) Valve

This system automatically controls engine idle speed to a specified level. Idle speed is controlled through fine adjustment of the amount of air which by-passes the throttle valve via the IACV-AAC valve. The IACV-AAC valve changes the opening of the air by-pass passage to control the amount of auxiliary air. ... "

Perhaps the step motor which is built into this part has failed. If so, the only remedy is replacement. However, in some cases the valve is merely stuck and may be rehabilitated by disassembly and cleaning. As you may
imagine, the dealer always recommends replacement.

 

Do you have a new intake?

 

I have a 98 GLE which idles at 500-550 while in gear and stationary. And 700-750 While in Neutral. Before the car fully warms up my idle is around 1000, and runs really smooth, but as soon as it settles around 500 I get vibration during the shift from 1st to Neutral as I come to a stop, and somewhat of a rough idle while stopped.

I've read that some have incresead their idles to stop this vibration, but I'm not sure if I should or if this could be the sign of something else. Its an AT with 31,600K.

Any ideas? Would a failed step motor cause these symptoms too? How easy is it to check and clean if neccesary?

Thanks.

 

Mine is 97 SE Auto, also idles 500-550 during park. Neutral will drop close to 550-600 sometimes at a light.

Was thinking of bumpin idle up also.. what u guys think?

I tried looking for the idle **** once, anyone got a pic of it? (was at work, no time) :>

(hell, still at work)

 

Run your engine to normal operating temperature. Let it idle. Turn the A/C to maximum and watch the tachometer. The engine speed should dip for one second and come back to where it was before you turned on the A/C. If it does this, your IACV-AAC is working.

If your IACV-AAC is working, you may want to experiment with changing your idle speed. Go to Steve Cutchen's excellent MaxFAQs page, http://web2.airmail.net/scutchen/max_faq/.
Click on SUBTOPICS below Maintenance.
Click on Adjusting 4th Gen idle speed.

 

I followed the Maxfaqs on adjusting the idle and it worked great. I did have to turn the adjuster screw a couple of full turns to get the idle up enough though. No more vibrating steering wheel for me.

 

I've read this FAQ as well as the procedures in the Haynes Manual and both detail disconnecting the TPS while adjusting the screw. But, I did see a revision to the MaxFAQ somwhere and it indicated that it worked without disconecting the TPS. What is the reasoning for disconnecting it?

 

I have a 97 GLE and when it is cold and I start the car, it starts off at about 1200 and when I drive it cold it come down to about 900-1000 rpm. However when it is warmed up, and idling, it is about 500-550rpm also. The weird thing is that I used some synthetic oil for the most recent oil change last week and it seems that the idle is a bit smoother now--and I shouldn't complain right? At one time I thought about adjusting for the low idle because accoding to the numbers indicated on the hood of the car--it should be about 700-750 rpm...

I am assuming that this rough/low idle is something out of the factory since so many of us have encountered it in our automatics??

does anyone know if replacing a new set of spark plugs will also allow the car to idle smoother?

 

Thanks for the info Danny boy. Worked like a charm.

 

Well i heard somewhere or read it that that was the norm I have a 96'maxima 5speed

 

The factory service manual says your 5-speed Maxima should idle at 625 +/- 50.

 

I was looking at mine, and mine looks like it's idling around 500 too.

 

Hey, it seems that a lot of you people are having a similar problem with the idle speed on your cars. I have a 97'Max,with 24,000 miles, and it idles at about 550. I know this is too low because I drove a 95'Max up until it got totaled a few months ago. Yesterday I took apart and cleaned what I think is the IDLE CONTROL VALVE - AUXILIARY AIR VALVE, but it didn't seem to do anything. The part that I took apart and cleaned was the one to which the idle-speed screw is attached. When I took it apart it sure looked like a valve to me and it had some carbon buildup inside. Could someone please tell me if I was even working with the right part. Whoever it was who said that they fixed their idle speed, how did you do it? Did you clean something or did you just loosen the idle speed screw? Also, if the step motor is malfunctioning, shouldn't the engine check light be on? I ask all these questions because I don't want to just adjust the idle-speed screw if there is some part that is not working properly. Doing so would not prevent the problem from coming back later. I would appreciate any help or advice, pictures or diagrams would be nice. Sorry for writing so much.

 

Refer to the Haynes manual, photo 16.3 on page 6-17.

Quote:

... ... Also, if the step motor is malfunctioning, shouldn't the engine check light be on?

Possibly, but not necessarily. Diagnostic Code 0205 is set if the IACV-AAC valve circuit is open-circuit or short-circuit. There are other malfuntions which do not set a DTC or turn on the Malfunction Indicator Lamp.

 

There is an idle screw on the throttle body. If you turn it counterclockwise it will increase the idle. Don't turn it too much. Just turn a little at a time and wait to see how much ou raised once the engine settles down.

 

I was just wondering about the throttle body screw and I was wondering if anyone can comment on this. I took a look at my car today and saw the two throttle cables--one (outter) is for the cruise control and the inner one is for the throttle itself. I also noticed that there is a bit of a WHOBBLY feeling on the throttle body where the cable goes into--and that part is connected to the screw (maybe I am not describing it properly)--but is that the screw we should adjust? and also, should there be this whobbly feeling on it, or should I tighten the screw up so that there is no whobbly feeling there?

appreciate it =)

 

Well if you look in the manual for the maxima in your glove box, it will say that the normal idle for the Max (auto) is 700rpm