GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2004 🢒 L300/LW300 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Controls - 3.0L (L81) 🢒 Rough, Unstable, or Incorrect Idle and Stalling

Inspections

Action

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

Preliminary Inspections
    • Refer to Important Preliminary Inspections Before Beginning in Symptoms - Engine Controls .
    • Search for bulletins.
    • Inspect the engine control module (ECM) grounds for being clean, tight, and in the proper locations. Refer to Power and Grounding Component Views in Wiring Systems.
    • Remove and inspect the air filter element for dirt or for restrictions. Refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement . Replace as necessary.

Fuel System
    • Inspect the fuel injectors. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Inspect for incorrect fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Inspect for a restricted fuel filter. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Inspect for a contaminated fuel condition. Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
    • Inspect that each fuel injector harness is connected to the correct injector/cylinder. Relocate fuel injector harnesses as necessary.
    • Inspect for the following that may cause the engine to run rich:

Notice: Refer to Heated Oxygen and Oxygen Sensor Notice in the Preface section.

       - Water intrusion in the HO2S connector
       - Purging of a saturated EVAP canister
       - Incorrect fuel pressure--Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
       - Leaking fuel injectors--Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
       - Vacuum hoses that are split, kinked, or improperly connected
       - An air intake duct that is collapsed or restricted
       - An air filter that is dirty or restricted--Refer to Air Cleaner Assembly Replacement .
    • Inspect for the following conditions that may cause the engine to run lean:

Notice: Refer to Heated Oxygen and Oxygen Sensor Notice in the Preface section.

       - Water intrusion in the HO2S connector
       - An exhaust leak between the HO2S and the engine--Refer to Exhaust Leakage in Engine Exhaust.
       - Vacuum leaks
       - Incorrect fuel pressure--Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
       - Restricted fuel injectors--Refer to Fuel Injector Balance Test with Special Tool .
       - Fuel contamination--Refer to Alcohol/Contaminants-in-Fuel Diagnosis .
       - Vacuum hoses that are split, kinked, or improperly connected

Sensor/System
    •  Test for conditions which cause an incorrect idle speed.
       -  Throttle body tampering, excessive deposits, or damage
       -  Restricted air intake system
       -  Large vacuum leak
    • Inspect the crankcase ventilation system for proper operation. Refer to Crankcase Ventilation System Inspection/Diagnosis in Engine Mechanical.
    • Monitor the knock sensor (KS) system for excessive spark retard activity with a scan tool.

Ignition System
    • In order to properly inspect the spark plugs or to correct a condition, refer to the following procedures:
       -  Spark Plug Inspection
       -  Spark Plug Replacement
    • Inspect for proper secondary ignition voltage output with the J 26792 (SA9199Z) Spark Tester.
    • An improper spark plug gap will cause a driveability condition. Gap the spark plugs using a wire gage gap tool.
    • If the spark plugs are found to be fouled, determine the cause before replacing the spark plugs.
    • Inspect for damaged or misaligned spark plug boots.
    • Inspect the ignition module for a proper ground connection.
    • Monitor the Misfire Current Counters while driving the vehicle in the conditions that the symptom occurred. If a misfiring cylinder can be located, use the DTC P0300 table for diagnosis. Refer to DTC P0300 .

Engine Mechanical
    • Inspect engine mechanical for the following:
       - Compression
       - Sticking or leaking valves
       - Worn camshaft lobes
       - Valve timing
       - Worn rocker arms
       - Broken valve springs
       - Excessive oil in combustion chamber or leaking valve seals.
       -  For more information, refer to one or more of the following procedures in Engine Mechanical:
    • For incorrect, worn, or damaged basic engine parts, inspect the following:
       - The camshaft
       - The cylinder heads--Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection in Engine Mechanical.
       - The pistons, etc.--Refer to Piston, Connecting Rod, and Bearing Cleaning and Inspection in Engine Mechanical.
    • Inspect for excessive crankshaft endplay that will cause the CKP sensor reluctor wheel to move out of alignment with the CKP sensor. Refer to Crankshaft and Bearing Cleaning and Inspection in Engine Mechanical. This could result in any of the following conditions:
       - A no start
       - A start and stall
       - Erratic performance

Refer to Symptoms - Engine Mechanical in Engine Mechanical for diagnosis procedures.

Additional Inspections
    • Inspect the exhaust system for possible restrictions. Inspect for the following:
       - The exhaust system for damaged or collapsed pipes
       - The mufflers for heat distress or possible internal failure
       - Possible plugged catalytic converters --Refer to Restricted Exhaust in Engine Exhaust.
    • Electromagnetic interference (EMI) on the reference circuit can cause an engine misfire condition. A scan tool can usually detect EMI by monitoring the engine RPM. A sudden increase in RPM parameter with little change in actual engine RPM change indicates that EMI is present. If a condition exists, inspect routing of secondary ignition wires or high voltage components near the ignition control circuits.
    • Inspect for faulty motor mounts. Refer to Engine Mount Inspection in Engine Mechanical.
    • Inspect the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold passages for casting flash.