jaymode

I am not sure if this is normal for an old car like a 93, but when i am sitting at a traffic light the engine will idle at about 700 rpm or like that and then it will shoot up to 1400 and if i am not careful it may hit another car. It goes back down and also when it does the steering wheel and the car vibrates. I am not turning the wheeel but usually braking and stopped or slowly moving towards the car in front of me. I know that this does not happen on my sisters 97 or my other sisters 2000. What could be the problem.

steviej

iTrader: (1)

The first thing that comes to mind if the car is not idling right or can't seem get stable at idle is the idle control valve or idle control motor.

The problem on the other hand may be the power steering pump. On a level surface check to see if the fluid level is reading proper at hot or cold temps (indicated on dipstick). If the pump is malfunctioning it may be putting a load on the engine thus bringing the RPM down. The ECU compensates for falling RPM by reving the RPMs as you indicated to avoid stalling. Check the belt and the associated belt tensioner that runs the power steering pump, see if it is loose. Tensioners do wear out. Belts can stretch and be less effective at low RPMs.