Will Chevy Cruze rough idle and stalling problems wreak havoc on your car engine?
This can freak you out because it’s not clear what’s going on. It looks like it will spark an explosion in your vehicle at any moment!
But don’t worry too much; this is a common situation with drivers. Of course, there are many reasons behind this; let’s learn more about them!
Chevy Cruze Rough Idle And Stalling Problems: Why?
Here are some common culprits behind the rough idling and stalling issue:
- Improper idle speed
- Bad/dirty fuel injectors
- Defective fuel pump
- Vacuum leak
- Faulty electrical components
- Clogged Oxygen sensor
- Defective airflow sensor
- Incorrectly installed or damaged plugs
- Damaged engine temperature sensor
- Transmission issue
Chevy Cruze shaking while idling scares us. Your car may have an engine failure or stop suddenly; no one knows!
Wrong Idle Speed
The Chevy Cruze rough idle can be a result of the wrong idle speed.
While the typical speed is between 600 and 1,000 RPMs, a rough one in your car could stem from an improper speed setting, like too low RPMs.
The idle speed is easily adjustable by a skilled mechanic and should remain there.
The easiest way to fix it is to start the car at the right speed and accelerate slowly and gradually.
Faulty/Dirty Fuel Injectors
While starting your car, the fuel injection system is crucial.
The system fills the cylinders with air and gasoline. The injectors don’t deliver the proper ratio of fuel and air if they are clogged or gummed up, which leads to a rough idle or sluggish acceleration.
This one also triggers a Chevy Cruze misfire at idle. You need an in-depth inspection of this part, preferably by experienced mechanics.
Repairs and replacements should be done early to avoid damage from spreading to other features.
Faulty Fuel Pump
Check the bad fuel pump when you see your Chevy Cruze shakes when starting.
The fuel pump delivers gasoline from the tank to the injection system. The pump may eventually stop working due to wear and tear or clogging.
You can notice whining noises, sputtering, surging, and difficulty starting the car. The engine’s efficiency declines as your car’s performance deteriorates, and you have to visit the gas station more often.
Vacuum Leak
The vacuum system’s capacity to seal leaks can significantly impact the computer’s ability to control the air-to-fuel ratio in the car.
If the leak is not fixed, the automobile may experience a rough idle, poor acceleration, and a lack of power.
Vacuum leaks need to be checked out and fixed immediately to reduce the risk of this issue. You can also hear about the 2012 Chevy Cruze P0171 or the 2011 Chevy Cruze P0171.
This one is also related to the vacuum leak issue.
Faulty Electrical Components
A 2012 Chevy Cruze rough idle may be brought on by an issue or failure with the ignition system or different electronic parts.
If so, increasing RPMs will typically make the issue worse. The plug wires, coils, ignition control module, and spark plugs require inspection in this case.
Clogged Or Dirty Oxygen Sensor
The car has many sensors at work to ensure the engine’s air-fuel ratio is perfect. It is the duty of each sensor to convey data to the ECM.
The exhaust manifold houses the oxygen sensor. It calculates the rate at which air leaves the engine.
The ECU uses this data to decide how to regulate the engine and adjust the air required in the chamber to ensure proper operation.
Once ECU sends in an improper amount of air due to the clogged sensor, problems will occur when the engine is idle.
Defective Airflow Sensor
The 2014 Chevy Cruze rough idle with AC on can be due to the defective airflow sensor, like a broken mass airflow sensor.
The sensor may malfunction or get filthy over time. The automobile may accelerate slowly, stutter, or halt when the issue worsens.
Incorrectly Installed or Damaged Plugs
The spark plugs must ignite the air and fuel combination in the combustion chamber. As the plugs age, carbon deposits accumulate on the tip, decreasing their ability to initiate this ignition process.
Because of this flaw, the engine has less power, which causes it to stall while idling. That’s why you can see the Chevy Cruze rough idle with no Check Engine Light.
Faulty Engine Temperature Sensor
Depending on the engine’s temperature, cars require various fuel blends. A cold start demands a richer mixture, for instance.
The fuel injection system may employ the incorrect mixture when the temperature sensor malfunctions and tricks the automobile to believe it is warmer than it is.
Transmission Issue
The last culprit that can make your 2014 Chevy Cruze rough idle is the vehicle’s transmission issue.
The torque converter would be the issue in this situation. The drivetrain receives power from the motor through the torque converter.
This part might lock up if it sustains damage or deteriorates over time. The motor stalls as a result of this.
Another possibility is that it’s just the solenoid. The magnetic component is in charge of gauging and controlling fluid pressure.
This is not the end of the story, though. Other parts, like a bad alternator, can cause rough idling. So if the above reasons don’t fit your case, leave it for a mechanic.
How To Diagnose an Idling Engine?
- Identify diagnostic error codes. To check for any errors, use your OBDII code scanner. To erase the trouble codes, investigate the problems, and fix them.
- Starter fluid should be sprayed onto the throttle body. If the car functions normally during this time, there may be a problem with the fuel system.
- Fuel pressure should be checked. Add a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel delivery system’s pressure side. A gas engine should have pressures between 40 and 50 PSI, while a diesel engine frequently has higher pressures.
- Look for a spark. Insert a spark tester between the plug boot and good ground. Start the car. If the tester starts to glow, the engine is getting a spark. Otherwise, you should check the spark plugs.
- Ensure the throttle body is clean or perform a calibration (in case the OBD2 scanner has this feature).
FAQs
What Sensor Causes Rough Idle?
As mentioned above, a malfunctioning oxygen sensor can lead to rough idle.
When the air usage data is wrong during transmission to the ECU, it will cause this phenomenon, especially when starting the car and accelerating.
How To Test An Idle Sensor?
- Find and remove the idle air control valve.
- Inspect its air control valve visually
- Check for power in the connector
- Measure the resistivity with a multimeter.
- Clamp the multimeter leads onto the IAC valve. Switch terminals.
- Check the resistance reading
What Makes My Car Lose Power And Stall At Idle?
This could be a symptom of a clogged or dirty fuel filter. On the highway, you typically notice the car not responding well.
Then, as you are driving within the city, you have the same discomfort. Now that the engine suffers rough idling, it stalls.
Your gasoline filter can be clogged. Over time, rust, water, and other foreign materials gather in the fuel filter element, reducing fuel efficiency.
Without the right amount of fuel, the engine starves and shuts down.
Bottom Lines
Finally, we’ve shown you how to diagnose and find out the cause of Chevy Cruze rough idle and stalling problems. Expectedly, this post is helpful for you, especially in an emergency.
If you can’t do it yourself, it’s advisable to ask for help from a professional mechanic at a repair shop. You will have to pay an amount but receive excellent service in return.