97 Rav stalling at idle

[auggiesociety]

I've got a 97 Rav that has always idled really low. My step brother is a mechanic and has looked at it before and said there's nothing wrong.

It always feels like it's going to stall and then today it did. It had been sitting in the sun and I drove it about 50 ft, came to a stop and it stalled. I had to keep my foot on the brake and other on gas to get it out of park and get going so it wouldn't die again. Now this evening my check engine light came on. (Also should mention it shakes a lot some times when I'm sitting at a stop light, just vibrating real heavy. Sometimes if i take my foot off the brake and move up a few feet it will stop.)

My step-bro mechanic has moved out of state on me. I'm a bit leary of other mechanics and want to see if this might be a really simply fix. I know nothing about cars but typically can be handy when it comes to easy stuff. Any ideas? Detailed instructions please!
Much thanks!

[ldsgja]

Well, Im a total noob but . . .

It sounds like it just isn't getting enough gas at idle. However, the idle speed might not be adjustable.

It could be that you need new spark plugs, a new fuel filter, or maybe you have clogged up Fuel Injectors.

The New Park Plugs and Fuel filter are pretty cheap and not really hard to do. The fuel injectors is a bit more costly to get them cleaned.

But I am probably wrong anyways so don't listen to me.

BTW, my wifes 97 Rav shakes the whole car during idle too, I do not think that is abnormal, so even after it gets "fixed" I wouldn't worry about shaking. Although, if it hardly ever stalls and only at idle you might just want to save the money and leave it alone.

[Scrapper]

sounds like one of coil or coil pack is going. if check check engine lite stays on take it to the zone or advacned and they'll hook you up for free on letting you lnow the problem. first you mite want to check vaccumm lines see if anys crack or just maybe unpluged you can test them with a little bit of carb cleaner on all lines you can find and if it idles up replace them. alot of people say don't do that but if i cant hear it leaking in a hose i get the old carb cleaner out. how long has it been since you tuned it up? gas and air filter to or 0-2 sensor also.

[auggiesociety]

Thanks for the info! I think i'm just going to take it in. I plan on going out of town next weekend and don't wanna worry about my car on the 4 hour drive. Been looking at reviews online and trying to find the least con-artist like auto shop around me.

I looked under the hood at all the plugs and hoses because I know one time it was simply that one of the plugs came undone. But nothing was loose or was unplugged as far as i could see.

My step brother did a ton of routine maintenance on my car August of '09 before he left the state. Not exactly sure what all he did...i know he replenished fluids and what not. Everything was in good order at that time, but the ole Rav is getting up there in age. I'll let you know what the mechanic says once all is said and done. Wish me luck!

[ricebike]

bring it to autozone for a free obdII scan to tell us what the trouble code is

try to find a trusted mechanic through word-of-mouth in your local area i guess if you can't perform the preventative maintenance items others had suggested

[auggiesociety]

Well took it in and they said the check engine like was related to the EGR valve. He said the vacuum is running fine so he cleared out the code and said to come back if the check engine light comes back on again and they'll look into it further.

sidenote: i went to CarX because it's down the block from my house. They had coupons online for a free "check engine light" reading. I get there and the guy is like "this wont really help you unless it's a fluke light. Otherwise we're just going to tell you what the code is and that's it, you wont know what the problem really is." Luckily he used it, since he considered it a fluke light. Talk about false advertising. Next time I'll make the trip to Autozone. Otherwise he said it would have been $47 for the diagnosis. what crap!....i miss having a mechanic in the family near by!!!!!!

[Scrapper]

yah zone or advanced but i'd rater go to zone they are free also. the only thing your check engine lite has to be on and you say your's is on so your good to go.

[ricebike]

good thing auggie... our "diagnostic check" on the east coast is more expensive, $70-$100

so i learned how to do most things with the help of the internet!

i've just finished changing front and rear brake pads on sis-in-law's 04 rav 4 with over 110K miles... easy if you have the tools

she's due for new plugs/filters/coolant/trans fluid change...