I have a rough Idle how can I fix it?

30

Asked by Anthony Jul 10, 2018 at 12:58 PM about the 2003 Toyota Corolla LE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Ok, I have a rough idle on my Toyota Corolla 2003
but, only when is in operating temperature or warm,
when is cold it idles fine.  It looks like the rough idle
is worst when is in reverse or drive and I'm still
when in park or neutral the rough idle is not that
bad.  I have done several things to the car change
the O2 Sensors, change the gas cap, clean the idle
air control valve, cleaned throttle body, cleaned
mass air flow sensor, change intake manifold
gasket, change motor mounts, change the
transmission mount, and a few other things that I
can't remember and I still have the rough idle.  I was
reading online that it can also be a dirty fuel injector
but really not sure what should I do and how can I
diagnose if it's the fuel injectors or something else?.  
one more thing there is no codes on the car so
really driving me crazy.  One thing I forgot to
mention when I am stoped and the I accelerate I
feel like the car struggles a little like it does not have
a lot of power.

10 Answers

450

Have You maybe found the problem? I have the same issue in my 2003 corolla 1.6 vvti.

13 people found this helpful.
30

Not yet some one told me it could be the motor mounts. I mention I had put new ones but he mention that it will still shake if it’s not OEM but there so expensive.

3 people found this helpful.
450

try this one: https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t25172_ds685517 I will try do it tommorow. Only problem is to remove old resin. The screw set up initial throttle position. Generally throttle position was adjusted about 15 years ago, engine parameters has changed during this time. That why sometimes it has bo be readjusted. I read at other websides (toyota ones) that that works.

9 people found this helpful.
450

In my case problem is solved. Before, when warm I had about 500rpm. Now it is something like 620- 650. I adopted throttle body. This is how i did it: - disconnect battery for about 30 minutes - connect battery - turn on ignition and turn it off - turn on ignitiom one more time and start engine - turn off lights, a/c and other receivers - don`t touch gas - wait something like 30 minutes untill engine is warm enought - after all turn on a/c and light wait 2 or 3 minutes - turn off engine. It should be done.

12 people found this helpful.
110

Grzegorz is the genius of this topic. I've searched hours and hours and replaced parts and still had the rough idle. The adjustment screw was the problem. My Carolla is 16 years old so it's not surprising that the idle adjustment screw would eventually start backing out. Just a slight turn and it runs like new. Mine has the throttle cable. There is a tiny Allen head screw that you can adjust. I replaced just about everything around that throttle body and all it needed was a 1/4 turn. Oh well, it doesn't hurt to replace that stuff anyway. Thank you sir! You are a genius

11 people found this helpful.
70

Opening the throttle isn't fixing the problem, just hiding the symptom. The throttle body should be closed at idle, and the IAC ( Idle Air Control) valve should provide the air needed for a smooth idle.

7 people found this helpful.
30

Same issue 2004 corolla.. Idles fine until i put it in gear then wants to almost die. I cleaned throttle and idle control valve but didn't help. I got a scanner tool and Bam a p0505 code. So i will be replacing my Idle control valve and see if that the issue. thanks for your help.

3 people found this helpful.
10

i have change timing kits on my Toyota corolla 2012 model but the car is falling to idle

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Corolla

Looking for a Used Corolla in your area?

CarGurus has 27,607 nationwide Corolla listings starting at $1,450.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2003 Toyota Corolla

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Jeff Polhemus
    Reputation
    3,440
  • #2
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    3,280
  • #3
    hashimmir
    Reputation
    2,520
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Toyota Camry
2,124 Great Deals out of 43,930 listings starting at $1,150
Used Honda Civic
1,297 Great Deals out of 26,038 listings starting at $997
Used Honda Accord
1,522 Great Deals out of 30,102 listings starting at $1,200
Used Toyota RAV4
1,968 Great Deals out of 34,284 listings starting at $2,300
Used Toyota Tacoma
2,176 Great Deals out of 55,929 listings starting at $3,995
Used Honda CR-V
2,003 Great Deals out of 37,778 listings starting at $1,600
Used Toyota Prius
551 Great Deals out of 11,200 listings starting at $1,757
Used Hyundai Elantra
901 Great Deals out of 29,563 listings starting at $1,495
Used Mazda MAZDA3
436 Great Deals out of 12,628 listings starting at $1,800
Used Nissan Sentra
840 Great Deals out of 43,273 listings starting at $1,190
Used Toyota Highlander
1,457 Great Deals out of 14,925 listings starting at $1,825
Used Toyota 4Runner
1,003 Great Deals out of 10,615 listings starting at $2,995

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Toyota Corolla For Sale
162 Great Deals out of 3,728 listings starting at $15,999
2023 Toyota Corolla For Sale
100 Great Deals out of 1,865 listings starting at $15,389
2022 Toyota Corolla For Sale
235 Great Deals out of 3,375 listings starting at $13,290
2021 Toyota Corolla For Sale
186 Great Deals out of 2,710 listings starting at $10,900
2020 Toyota Corolla For Sale
96 Great Deals out of 1,614 listings starting at $9,697

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.