My 2000 Infiniti i30t started having an unsteady idle last Friday. At idle, the needle/engine fluctuates between 500 and 700. The needle takes little dips and it seems like it may cut off, but it's kind of subtle and never dips below 500 and usually just teeters around 600.

On Thursday and prior, it idled at 700 steady. Also, when I accelerate, there is slight hesitation and putter. Is this the Idle Air Control Valve going bad? I checked the air filter and it was filthy...so I have to change that for sure.

I've read issues with the MAF, but those symptoms of leaping idle is not what i'm experiencing. Maybe I just need to clean these components. Anyone with feedback on the slight symptoms that I've shared.

Thanks,
BJ
2000 Infiniti i30t

 

I would start with the cheapest, most effective step; try cleaning your MAF. If that doesn't work, then you know to eliminate MAF problems.

 

Could be but I agree start with the easy maf cleaning. Iacv can be a trickier fix

 

Usually a bad IACV will cause a wider range of idle rpm, between won't idle and as high as 2K rpm. But it is fairly easy to check. Use your ohmmeter and check resistance of the motor windings. They should be 22 ohms and all the indings should be within an ohm or two of each other.

See the FSM and start reading on page 458. The part on how to measure the motor windings is on page 465.

http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Infiniti/I30/2000/EC.pdf