Stalling at Idle, at wits' end!

RabbitBrain · #1 (**permalink**) 01-07-2013, 10:39 PM

Hi all, I have a 2002 4 cyl ext. cab manual frontier. It started idling a little rough about 3 weeks ago. Eventually it started stalling at red lights , and also missing under load all without a SES light.

I searched through multiple threads to try and find a solution. So I changed the plugs, dist. cap and rotor, fuel filter, cleaned MAF all to no avail. Finally the truck threw a code and went into failsafe mode while driving. The code was P0103. So I Brought the truck to a dealer and was diagnosed as a bad MAF so I ordered a new one and swapped it out myself as well. It now shudders and idles erratically between 250 and 700 RPMs. SES light is now off but still runs horribly. Thanks for any suggestions! This is driving me nuts!

nightarmor11 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-07-2013, 10:48 PM

What the throttle body ever cleaned?

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RabbitBrain · #3 (**permalink**) 01-07-2013, 10:54 PM

I sprayed some throttle body cleaner liberally with the throttle plate closed. It had quite a bit of crud on it so I just wiped it down with a rag. Should I take the the whole throttle body off and clean it?

RabbitBrain · #4 (**permalink**) 01-07-2013, 11:41 PM

Also I read to check for a vacuum leak so I looked over the hoses and didn't see anything out of the ordinary. But I'm still not ruling a vacuum leak out, any key places you guys would check?

speedfoos · #5 (**permalink**) 01-08-2013, 07:07 AM

Did you install the MAF backwards? They have an engine and filter side and it can be easy install it the wrong way.

RabbitBrain · #6 (**permalink**) 01-08-2013, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedfoos

Did you install the MAF backwards? They have an engine and filter side and it can be easy install it the wrong way.

I installed it identically to the old sensor but it never hurts to make sure. I'll double check it tonight as soon as I get home from classes.

jjs34748 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-08-2013, 10:05 AM

Did you replace your plug wires? Your original post says everything else.

chrisexv6 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-08-2013, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjs34748

Did you replace your plug wires? Your original post says everything else.

This.

My old 98 4-banger would run weird when it was humid out. Replaced stuff similar to you (plugs, distrib cap, rotor). Problem wasnt resolved until replacing the plug wires.

RabbitBrain · #9 (**permalink**) 01-08-2013, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisexv6

This.

My old 98 4-banger would run weird when it was humid out. Replaced stuff similar to you (plugs, distrib cap, rotor). Problem wasnt resolved until replacing the plug wires.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjs34748

Did you replace your plug wires? Your original post says everything else.

No I havent replaced the plug wires. I tried to knock the cheap things off the list first, but replacing them would be good maintenance. It's frustrating because it feels like I'm throwing money at this problem and it's probably a simple fix. Plug wires are next on my list.

chrisexv6 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-08-2013, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RabbitBrain

No I havent replaced the plug wires. I tried to knock the cheap things off the list first, but replacing them would be good maintenance. It's frustrating because it feels like I'm throwing money at this problem and it's probably a simple fix. Plug wires are next on my list.

Check out RockAuto, they have a few "wholesaler closeout" sets of wires.

Even the NGK wires are under 20.00 so not too big of an investment.