Hey folks. I have a 1989 Cabriolet that, overall, is a great little car.
But lately when I drive it, when I come to a stop the RPM's go way low
(~200-300), and fluctuate between there and around 1000. This fluctuation
is pretty rough for maybe 30 seconds or so, then it smoothes out and settles
around 700. And yesterday it got even worse -- I drove home from work and
stopped at the grocery store. From when I pulled into the parking lot at
the store, and then when I left the store on the way home, every time I came
to a stop the car stalled. It always started right back up no problem, and
idled smoothly at ~700 RPM's. But next time I came to a stop, it stalled
again.

Any idea what might be the problem? I saw something like this earlier this
year, but it wasn't as severe (the idle wasn't as rough; it would just dip
once upon slowing down/stopping). I had the valve cover gasket replaced,
which fixed the issue. But the problem is back, and worse than before. Any
help you can give as to what I can look at would be appreciated. I'm not
much of a mechanic, but am willing to do basic stuff on my own.

Thanks!


Corey

automatic?
check that large intake manifold boot for looseness or cracks
check for other vacuum leaks too

how is the idle when you step on the brake pedal?

Corey wrote:

It's a manual transmission (as is my 2003 Jetta GLS 1.8T, which is a
blast...and off-topic -- unlike the other 2003 Jetta mentioned in recent
posts, mine does not have cupholders above the stereo; there are two
cupholders in the console, and that's it. I don't know if having the
Monsoon audio system is the difference there or not...)

And now that you mention it, it is when I hit the brake pedal that the idle
dips (or, in the case of yesterday, stalls). What is this indicative of?
(forgive my ignorance on this...)

Thanks.

Corey

"one out of many daves" <vwdoc1 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

possibly a failing brake booster
You might hear a hiss under the dash if it is really bad.

Corey wrote:

Turned out to be fuel injector seals. Those have been replaced. It was
still idling a little low, so I adjusted that. Now it's running great.
Hopefully it'll stay that way!

Corey

"one out of many daves" <vwdoc1 (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

Great you fixed it!
and thanks for the update too! ;-)

"Corey" <czinn (AT) makromed (DOT) com> wrote