occasional idle flares and when i accelerate some times the car will just go to idle and come back for a split sec

5,735

Asked by Tom Jul 09, 2012 at 10:01 AM about the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Coupe FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

im going to start off by saying know about the TBS on these cars with the idle flare problems and i had the computer reprogramed and i put a new IAC valve in and cleaned it serveral times  it still does it i dont know what else to do and i dont have a scope to look at sensor its also a manual so im at the point where i think its driver error i taught myself and so far ive been diving it for 3 years  now waveforms what should i do? and the other is the cut outs ive been experiencing i might take that to work and put it on the scope to check crank cam tp and baro for problems as well as worn timing chain it lacks trottle response and torque from when i first got it this car is regularly maintained i think i should also replace the tb gasket because i pulled that off so many times it might not be sealing correctly

7 Answers

435

Try looking for a vacuum leak. Also, did you replace the throttle position sensor (TPS). My car was doing same exact thing but also fired up a code, so may not be your case

5,735

no codes on mine and no i did not i want to get it scoped out first ive also looked everywhere for a vac leaks but nothing it only happens when i accelerate and while moving so i cant check it while it is happening

435

Do you have a multimeter? You can read the voltage of the sensor. I believe it's a hall effect sensor. Find which of the 3 prongs are power and ground. If you slightly move the the throttle each time you can read the voltage of each move. If 1 of the read 0V the TPS has a dead spot

5,735

i guess i can do that but id rather see it on a scope where it could happen really fast that the fluke will not pick it up

435

That's very true. That throttle body gasket may also b the cause. Extra air after the map/maf entering the engine. You said that your shop has a scope?

435

Would also use the scope on the map/maf as well. At idle and a snap throttle. If it spikes abnormally that'd be it

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