Erratic RPM on start-up

[Silver Blue '97]

When I first start-up the RPM is just above 1000. A second later it drops to about 900, then it fluctuates between 900 and 700 at idle. Car has 71k, I put new A/C Delco plugs and wires about 3 months ago, car runs real strong. Do you think it could be the FPR? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[oldsdad]

I own a 96 and had the same problem I checked the FPR and it showed a small amount of gas in the return so I pulled it and saw the filter was very dirty. Went to the dealer got a new one and has ran great ever since no more RPM fluctuations. Dealer had it at just a couple of dollars over what autozone and advanced wanted so they got my bussiness that time. Is your car also a little slow to start that was another problem I was having.

[Robs71Nova]

This may seem like a dumb question but what is a FPR? Im guessinf fuel pressure regulator? Mine has the same problem.. when I start it the thing shoots to like 1200 RPM, then drops to like 400 RPM a second later, then goes back to 700 and stays there. If it is a fuel pressure regulator, where is it on the car and how hard is it to change?

Rob

[RobertHammen]

FPR is under the engine cover, in the driver's side rear of the engine. Looks like a little oil can, has a vacuum line coming off of it, and it kinda "screws" in. If you pull this, make sure you remove the pencil-eraser sized O-ring at the bottom, and that the replacement you get has the same O-ring. I replaced my FPR with a genuine AC Delco one and the replacement gave me grief until I got the right-sized O-ring.

Other potential causes of this problem would be a bad/dirty fuel filter, or possibly dirty/clogged fuel injectors...

[Silver Blue '97]

Originally Posted by RobertHammen

FPR is under the engine cover, in the driver's side rear of the engine. Looks like a little oil can, has a vacuum line coming off of it, and it kinda "screws" in. If you pull this, make sure you remove the pencil-eraser sized O-ring at the bottom, and that the replacement you get has the same O-ring. I replaced my FPR with a genuine AC Delco one and the replacement gave me grief until I got the right-sized O-ring.

Other potential causes of this problem would be a bad/dirty fuel filter, or possibly dirty/clogged fuel injectors...

My '97 FPR is held in by a spring clip, on each side of the FPR. Do you know what tool if any there is to spread the clips?

[newscarver]

that horseshoe shaped clip,it just pushes off backwards,make a mental note of which side of the clip is on the top side and replace it the same way....it might release easier if you push downward on the fpr itself just slightly....now if there is good fuel pressure you might get a blast of gasoline doing this. careful...news