Hey guys. 88, N/A. If I have to make a quick stop, my RPMs will drop really low, but the engine usually catches itself. Sometimes it will even stall out. I also have been noticing (since its been raining and overcast lately) that my alternator is not putting out what it should be. I will have the lights and heater going, and my idle will suck ***, and it wants to die when I hit the brakes. what do you guys think?

 

when was the last time you did spark plug wires? i had the same idle problem, and i bought new oem spark plug wires and it idles fine now

 

Probably two things going on:

Have the alternator checked and replace (or upgrade) as necessary.

Check the BAC for proper operation. It should be compensating the idle when increased electrical loads are present (like the brake lights).

 

Low compression maybe? Mine has a terrible idle and really low compression on ONE of the faces (cracked seal I'm guessing, stalls when it tries to idle, hard to start etc.) so that may be it.

 

Nah, I've blown two engines so far, so I know every possible symptom of a bad engine. I like clokker's answer

I was leaning toward the alternator. I have a 100 amp out of a buick lesabre in it. I have to have it replaced twice a year, because output keeps dropping over the year. The guys at autozone hate me. They know what I want when they see me bringing it in. I need to try another alternator.

 

have you found a fix for your problem? im facing the exact same thing

 

What RPM's are you idling at? This would be a good place to start.

Then, when was the last time you did a tune up? Plugs, wires, air filter, fuel filter?

Free things to check:

Alternator - go to any parts store and they will take it out and spin check it.
Battery - same deal

 

I cant speak for the thread starter, but in my case my issue is that my idle is way too low. Like on cold start its fine and runs awesome but when it warms up and the thermowax melts and the idle goes down it just hits 800 then drops to 500 and just pulses depending on electrical load. Im leaning towards my alternator i just never knew it could cause so much trouble.

 

This problem you speak of does it occur just as the engine is warming up after a cold start or does it occur all the time even when the car is fully warmed up?