Problem with idle speed - 2002 Nissan Sentra GXE 1.8L

Asked by Underdog Apr 05, 2011 at 08:23 PM about the 2002 Nissan Sentra GXE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

2002 Nissan Sentra GXE 1.8L

When starting the car cold it immediately revs to 2000 rpm and when it finally warms up it bounces revs between 1500 - 2000 rpm roughly.
If I let it run for a while occasionally the idle will simmer down to just under 1000 rpm as it should but after about another 20 seconds the idle goes up again to just under 2000 rpm.
If I try to press the gas ever so slightly it starts to idle up and down - press the gas a little more and the revs go right to 3000 rpm steady.

I have replaced the throttle position sensor and Air Mass sensor but no luck.
Have also used the carb cleaner trick to try to detect a vacuum leak with no effect.
No computer warning lights are currently on.

Any ideas?

4 Answers

935

sounds like a vacuum leak to be honest, i know on the spec v's there's an idle relearn process, but I don't remember it off the top of my head. Since you've replaced the MAF and TPS I'd just go ahead and reset the ECU again, and start it up and let it idle for ~15 minutes without touching the gas.

6 people found this helpful.
245

sounds like the Idle Air Control valve is shorting out or outright bad.You can try cleaning the valve with PB blast and then MAF cleaner,but it probably will have to be replaced.

9 people found this helpful.
60

i just bought my 16 yr old a nissan sentra 2001 and it started to idle up and down when its in park ...now its showing 3 different codes p0420...p0505...p1140 i know its not all these problems can it be ..

6 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Sentra

Looking for a Used Sentra in your area?

CarGurus has 1,812 nationwide Sentra listings starting at $2,195.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Doran Harney
    Reputation
    3,000
  • #2
    L_R
    Reputation
    2,940
  • #3
    GuruLK5L9
    Reputation
    1,580
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Nissan Altima
22 Great Deals out of 716 listings starting at $1,400
Used Honda Civic
180 Great Deals out of 3,705 listings starting at $1,995
Used Toyota Corolla
108 Great Deals out of 2,035 listings starting at $2,795
Used Honda Accord
40 Great Deals out of 910 listings starting at $1,599
Used Toyota Camry
52 Great Deals out of 985 listings starting at $2,212
Used Hyundai Elantra
163 Great Deals out of 3,544 listings starting at $2,995
Used Nissan Maxima
9 Great Deals out of 144 listings starting at $5,653
Used Hyundai Sonata
38 Great Deals out of 1,111 listings starting at $3,112
Used Chevrolet Malibu
50 Great Deals out of 1,139 listings starting at $1,295
Used Volkswagen Jetta
82 Great Deals out of 1,896 listings starting at $995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.