Very very low idle and stalling problem

[dsmdan]

Hey guys I've got a 91 pathfinder auto. I've had it for a few months and its been a constant job to keep fixing. Last night I got another problem with it.

 

Heres the story. We went to the movies and it started up and ran fine about half way home. Then all of a sudden I slowed down and coasted around a turn and it died. Its never had any running problems at all, engine always ran very well. I started it right back up and went on my way home. When I got home I wanted to see if I could figure it out so I parked, and it idled very very low, seriously at about 100 RPM's. Again its always had great idle. I blipped the gas and it died b/c it couldn't catch back up as the rpms dropped so low again. It was dark so I went inside.

 

Then this morning I started it up and it started up right away and ran fine, no low rpm like last night. But as it warmed up, the RPM's slowly dropped and again it idled at about 100 rpm. Gave it gas, and as it dropped, it dies again. But the truck runs and drives perfectly fine as long as you don't let the rpm's drop all the way down.

 

Any ideas? What are some things I could check?

 

Thanks, Dan.

[Animal]

Sounds exactly like the problem I had. I also noticed a drop in mileage of 2-3 mpg, which is more difficult to notice if you live in an area where they keep messing with the formula, as I do. I fixed mine by retensioning the harness connectors on the MAF and TP sensors. I identified the cause by pressing on the connector when the idle was low. It would start to idle normal when I did.

 

You could have the same problem, or possibly a bad sensor. Same symptoms.

[dsmdan]

Actually I took a quick look at it while it was idling very low. I found that that the TPS doesn't have a metal ring holding connector on it, so its possible it could wiggle loose, however I pulled it off and put it back on several times while idling and nothing changed. Could this indicate a bad TPS?

 

How about a idle valve, do they have something like that?

[88pathoffroad]

There is an idle air control valve, yes. Have you checked the ECU error codes?

[dsmdan]

No I haven't checked for any codes yet.

 

Today I performed a half fix for the mean while. I adjusted the throttle cable so it doesn't allow the throttle plate to close all the way after letting off the gas. It now idles at about 1300 rpm in park but it no longer dies either.

[Jmax5000]

Definetly check your codes.... could be something as simple as a bad o2 sensor. Your describing similar symptoms that my truck was showing for a while. Turns out it was the o2 sensor. Check your codes firstly... it's easy and it will save you a ton of headaches.