1997 rodeo sensor problem

[sids83ho]

hello all.i have a 1997 rodeo with a 2.6 4cyl.it runs great most of the time but about once a week it will start idilling at about 2800 rpm and will do this for about 50 miles.i had it put on a machine and they said i need a throttle position sensor,cam sensor and a crank sensor.i replaced all of these but it still does it.and now its got to the point it will die and not start for about 10 minutes.i took it back and had it put on the machine again and it says the same sensors are bad even though they are new.could my ECM be bad?thanks for your help.

[Trigggl]

Originally Posted by sids83ho

hello all.i have a 1997 rodeo with a 2.6 4cyl.it runs great most of the time but about once a week it will start idilling at about 2800 rpm and will do this for about 50 miles.i had it put on a machine and they said i need a throttle position sensor,cam sensor and a crank sensor.i replaced all of these but it still does it.and now its got to the point it will die and not start for about 10 minutes.i took it back and had it put on the machine again and it says the same sensors are bad even though they are new.could my ECM be bad?thanks for your help.

Have you considered the fuel pump? I've replaced one on a Trooper before. Other than that, an old battery can sometimes cause some strange problems.

[sids83ho]

Originally Posted by Trigggl

Have you considered the fuel pump? I've replaced one on a Trooper before. Other than that, an old battery can sometimes cause some strange problems.

it does have a new battery and starter,distributor and just about every sensor has been replaced and some twice.i hadnt thought about fuel pump.will that make it idle up also..thanks

[Trigggl]

Originally Posted by sids83ho

i hadnt thought about fuel pump.will that make it idle up also..thanks

I doubt it, but who knows? On my caravan, it would nearly die, then rev high,
then sputter low. You would notice a slight stall when you step on the gas.

Is the check engine light on? Have you replaced the EGR valve? Mine has gone out at least once and I may need to change it again. It's too expensive to change unless it's causing severe problems.

Have you changed both O2 sensors? They cost about $80 apiece, but they're easy enough to do by yourself.

[sids83ho]

Originally Posted by Trigggl

I doubt it, but who knows? On my caravan, it would nearly die, then rev high,
then sputter low. You would notice a slight stall when you step on the gas.

Is the check engine light on? Have you replaced the EGR valve? Mine has gone out at least once and I may need to change it again. It's too expensive to change unless it's causing severe problems.

Have you changed both O2 sensors? They cost about $80 apiece, but they're easy enough to do by yourself.

the check engine light comes on only when it idle's high.then when it idles down to normal the check engine light goes out.the egr valve has been changed but not the O2 sensor

[Trigggl]

Originally Posted by sids83ho

the check engine light comes on only when it idle's high.then when it idles down to normal the check engine light goes out.the egr valve has been changed but not the O2 sensor

Just to let you know, there are actually 2 x O2 sensors. The one at the beginning of the exhaust pipe is obvious, but the one under the driver side rear door isn't so obvious. Like I said, they are easy to do yourself, you just need to get an O2 socket for your ratchet. The socket comes with a slot for the wires to come out. If they've never been replaced, they're probably due anyways.

[pharm_rodeo]

Does the 97 have an idle air control valve? I don't think the 4 cycl does?

[sids83ho]

i didnt know there was 2xO2 censors.i thought there was only one.thats good to no because your right,it probably has never been changed and as far as the idle air control valve i dont think the four cylinder has it but ill find out today.thanks for all the advice.

[Trigggl]

Originally Posted by sids83ho

i didnt know there was 2xO2 censors.i thought there was only one.thats good to no because your right,it probably has never been changed...

And also, stay away from cheap (price) gas. Get it from a well known company (not Walmart) because it can cause your O2 sensors to go bad prematurely and your engine to run rough. I used to get my gas from a Sam's filling station and even my new Outback had the O2 sensors go out.

[sids83ho]

Originally Posted by pharm_rodeo

Does the 97 have an idle air control valve? I don't think the 4 cycl does?

it does have an idle control valve and was told that was the problem.i changed it out and hopefully that fixed it.it usually takes about 3-4 days to start acting up so im going to drive it as much as possible through the weekend so see if that fixed it.

[pharm_rodeo]

Originally Posted by sids83ho

it does have an idle control valve and was told that was the problem.i changed it out and hopefully that fixed it.it usually takes about 3-4 days to start acting up so im going to drive it as much as possible through the weekend so see if that fixed it.

Who told you the IACV was the problem? The guys that replaced all your other sensors?


I usually suspect the IACV when the idle is above normal and/or the rpms wander. I've had IACV issues with all my Hondas/Acuras.

I hope your problem is resolved.