GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 1997 🢒 Astro - 4WD 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 4.3L 🢒 Rough, Unstable, or Incorrect Idle and Stalling

Checks

Action

Definition: The engine runs unevenly at idle. If severe enough, the engine or vehicle may shake. The engine idle speed may vary in RPM. Either condition may be severe enough to stall the engine.

Preliminary Check

Refer to Important Preliminary Checks .

Sensor Checks
    • Check the Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S).
    • Check for silicon contamination from fuel or improperly used sealant. The sensor will have a white powdery coating. The sensor will result in a high but false signal voltage (rich exhaust indication). Refer to the following items:
    • Check the Throttle Position (TP) sensor. If a sticking throttle shaft or binding linkage causes a high TP sensor open throttle indication, the Control Module will not control the idle. Monitor the TP sensor voltage. A scan tool or voltmeter should read less than 0.85 volts with the throttle closed.
    • Check the Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor using the scan tool to compare the engine coolant temperature with the ambient air temperature on a cold engine. If the coolant temperature reading is more than 5 degrees greater than or less than the ambient air temperature on a cold engine, check for a high resistance in the coolant sensor circuit or the sensor itself. Refer to DTC P1115 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Intermittent High Voltage for the Diagnostic Aids. Refer to DTC P0118 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit High Voltage for the Diagnostic Aids.
    • Check the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor response and accuracy.

Fuel System Checks
    • Check to determine if a Rich or Lean system causes the condition. Drive the vehicle at the speed of the complaint. Monitoring the Fuel Trim will help identify the problem.
       - Lean - The Long Term Fuel Trim is greater than 150. Refer to DTC P0132 HO2S Circuit High Voltage Sensor 1 for the Diagnostic Aids. Refer to DTC P0138 HO2S Circuit High Voltage Sensor 2 for the Diagnostic Aids.
       - Rich - The Long Term Fuel Trim is less than 115. Refer to DTC P0131 HO2S Circuit Low Voltage Sensor 1 for the Diagnostic Aids. Refer to DTC P0137 HO2S Circuit Low Voltage Sensor 2 for the Diagnostic Aids.
    • Check the fuel injector driver circuit.
        1. Disconnect the injector harness connector at the injectors.
        2. Connect an injector test lamp between the terminals of each injector connector and note the lamp while cranking.
        3. 

If the test lamp fails to blink at any connector, it is a faulty injector drive circuit harness, connector, or terminal.

    • Perform the fuel injector coil test. Refer to Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test .
    • Perform the fuel injector balance test. Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test .
    • Perform a cylinder compression test. Refer to Engine Mechanical.
    • Check for leaking fuel injectors. Refer to Injector Circuit Diagnosis .
    • Check the fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel System Pressure Test .

Ignition System Checks
    • Check the ignition output voltage using the spark tester J 26792 or the equivalent. Refer to Enhanced Ignition System Diagnosis (Overview) .
    • Check the spark plugs.
       - Remove the spark plugs.
       - Check for the following conditions:
   • Wet plugs
   • Cracks
   • Wear
   • Improper gap
   • Burned electrodes
   • Blistered insulators
   • Heavy deposits
    • Check the spark plug wires by connecting an ohmmeter to the ends of each wire in question. If the meter reads over 30,000 ohms, replace the wires.

Additional Checks
    • Check for vacuum leaks. Vacuum leaks can cause a higher than normal idle and low Idle Air Control (IAC) counts.
    • Check the IAC operation. Refer to DTC P0506 Idle Speed Low . Refer to DTC P0507 Idle Speed High . Refer to DTC P1509 Idle Speed High - Idle Air Control (IAC) System Not Responding . Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis (Central SFI) .
    • Check the Control Module grounds for being clean, tight, and in their proper locations. Refer to Component Locations.
    • Check the Transmission Range (TR) pressure switch assembly operation. Refer to Transmission.
    • Check the scan tool to determine if the Control Module is receiving an A/C signal. Refer to Air Conditioning (A/C) Compressor Clutch Control Diagnosis . If a problem exists with the A/C ON, check the A/C system operation. Refer to Section 1B of the appropriate service manual.
    • Check for the EGR being ON while idling which will cause roughness, stalling, and hard starting. Refer to Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System Diagnosis .
    • Check the battery cables and ground straps. They should be clean and secure. Erratic voltage will cause the IAC to change its position resulting in poor idle quality.
    • Check the IAC Valve. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis (Central SFI) .
    • Check the A/C refrigerant pressure for being too high or for a faulty high pressure switch.
    • Check the Crankcase Ventilation Valve for proper operation by placing a finger over the inlet hole in the valve end several times. The valve should snap back. If not, replace the valve. Refer to IAC Valve Replacement .

Engine Mechanical Check

Check for the following:

    • Broken motor mounts.
    • Improper valve timing
    • Low compression
    • Bent pushrods
    • Worn rocker arms
    • Broken or weak valve springs.
    • Worn camshaft lobes

Refer to Engine Mechanical.