Idle Speed and adjustment

What should the idle speed be set at on a '97 malibu? And how would I go about adjusting it? My idle is hovering around 400 and I read someone else in here with the same year said theirs' was at 700. Which one is right?

Does it seem to run smooth or rough, also not 100% sure but you can't really adjust the idle on new cars unless you have a carborator but you probably don't. The idle on these newer cars is adjusted through the computer, so you will have to take it to a mechanic to have it adjusted if it is running at sucha low idle.

You may be able to adjust the throttle stop if anything which will allow you to increase the engine speed when the throttle is at minimum opening. If the engine is running smooth I would not touch it then. You did not mention if the engine speed you are seeing happens only when the car is in gear or not. It is normal for the engine speed to drop when the transmission is in gear.

my $0.02

regards,
Jim

It has been running rough as of late. It seems to smooth out if I give it a little gas to bring the RPM up to about 6 or 700. A tech at the dealer said my idle is normal because it is set by the computer. Should I get a second opinion?

An idle of 400 seems low.

My 1999 V6 runs at 700 idle. Minor gas takes it up to 1,100 max. On a flat surface, if I take it up to 25MPH, it will coast back down to about 20.

There is an adjustment screw on the lower part of the TB. It can be very sensitive, if oyu've never done this before, I'd recommend you let somebody else handle it.