Weird idle and low RPM acceleration problems, I owned myself. Options

[GriffGirl]

Two days ago when I left work for the day my car ran like complete crap. It ran fine that morning, but going home it was rough and crappy, and has been since.

The car starts just fine, but at idle, it idles low and very rough. When driving, it accelerates very poorly, and the acceleration is rough. I can floor it in 2nd gear on a steep hill, and not be able to get above about 23 mph. Acceleration smooths out at around 40mph, or above at least 2600 RPMs. Cruising speeds (45-70 depending on the road of course) feel mostly normal, unless I try to accelerate to pass or something. Accelerating from cruising speed feels smooth, but is very slow going. Oh- and if I drive below 40 with the a/c on, it just sucks what little power is left out of it and the car just barely wants to go. A/C on at idle, and it almost stalls out.

This hasn't been a progressive thing at all, it literally feels like it just started out of nowhere. I've checked my vacuum lines, nothing came disconnected. I cleaned out the throttle body but that didn't matter. I *attempted* to use seafoam through the brake booster line, but there's no suction. Idle increases to 2000 RPMs when brake booster is disconnected, but I thought maybe I should rev the engine with the line in the seafoam - I couldn't remember. So I haven't gone back to do that yet. (will it make a difference?)

Any ideas that specifically jump out at you guys? This weekend I will check the IAC. Next weekend I'm doing an oil change, so I will also do a tune up and replace plugs, wires, cap & rotor. Air filter is Injen and was cleaned about 5000 miles ago, but I'll probably clean it again just for good measure. (it didn't look too bad when I removed the intake to clean the TB yesterday)

HELP!

oh yeah - and if someone wouldn't mind telling me exactly WHERE the IAC is on my car (7AFE) that would be faboo. I know it's somewhere @ the bottom of the TB...?

This post has been edited by GriffGirl: Jul 21, 2009 - 10:35 AM

[Bitter]

now get a battery tie down and be happy that you didn't have your battery slide somewhere else and short itself...then explode!

[GriffGirl]

now get a battery tie down and be happy that you didn't have your battery slide somewhere else and short itself...then explode!

Boy howdy! I have the regular battery bracket thingie, I just never could figure out exactly where the hell it goes in beneath the battery.

Still gonna do that tune up/fluids change this weekend. I'm just SO happy to "have" my car back. Man that was stressing me out!

I reset my ECU by simply unhooking the battery, getting in the car, and pressing the brake down for a minute or so, and then let it sit for 30 mins. Then came back and hooked the battery back up, started it, and let it sit at idle for 15 mins (for manual trans).

Then my rough idle, poor acceleration, and stalling went away.


I would say bring it up and we'll have a look at it, but if it isn't running well that won't work.

LOL yeah... with a major slap to the forehead D'OH! moment.

[DEATH]

Boy howdy! I have the regular battery bracket thingie, I just never could figure out exactly where the hell it goes in beneath the battery.

Look for two small [approx 1/4"] drilled holes on either side of the tray ont he frame rail there - the hooks go in there. The stock system still sux anyway tho. Good luck