Rough idle when electrical is used

ANSWER : Hi there. As electrical components and accessories are used, more draw and strain is placed on the motor to power the alternator. As such, existing small idle problems will be accelerated when the engine is asked to give more. In most cases, a rough engine idle is caused by a vacuum leak, dirty fuel injectors, EGR valve, mass air flow sensor or problems with the idle control valve. It would probably be best to have a professional mobile mechanics complete a rough idle inspection at your location to pinpoint the source of your problem.

ANSWER : Hello. This is a common problem with the variable valve timing solenoid on this engine. I have changed quite a few of these due to failure. I always start by checking the codes and testing the solenoids and the connectors as some of the time the connectors fail and have poor connections. There have been a few times that I have seen these codes due to low oil or the wrong oil and from the camshaft actuators failing, but most of the time it is due to the solenoids. If you are planning on having this fixed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose and repair the rough idling issue for you.

ANSWER : This may be related to a dirty or failing idle air control valve. The idle air control valve reads the air intake as it is mixed with fuel prior to being injected into the engine at low speeds and at idle. This valve is controlled by the vehicle’s computer which will adjust idle speed based upon other measurements, such as engine temperature, intake air temperature, and electrical system load or voltage.

When you accelerate, the engine RPM increases, and, as you let off the gas, the RPM slowly returns to the normal idling speed. This is all controlled by the idle air control valve. When the engine RPM drops below the normal range of 750-800 RPM, this may indicate a dirty or faulty idle air control valve.

I would recommend having an expert, such as one from YourMechanic, come to your location to determine why the car is running rough and replace your idle air control valve if needed.

ANSWER : A number of components or faults can cause your issues. A vacuum leak can cause your issues. Depending on the vehicle, components such as the mass airflow sensor, throttle position sensor, coolant temperature sensor, and a number of others can be the cause. Since randomly replacing parts can get expensive as most electronic components are not returnable once installed, having a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic, diagnose the stalling/surging is the best place to start.

ANSWER : Hello. I would start by scanning the vehicle for codes and checking to see if all of the sensors are reading correctly. If everything looks good then chances are it needs a new computer. I have seen the computers fail on these vehicles over and over again causing the ignition circuits to not work correctly which causes the vehicle to run just like this. If you need to have this looked at, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to you to [diagnose why the vehicle is running like this] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-idle-is-rough-inspection

ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. Sure, the idle control valve can definitely cause the rough idle. Typically this will be caused by excess carbon buildup inside the throttle body or fuel injector nozzles themselves. Your 2006 Kia has multiple sensors that monitor and control the fuel system. If one of these sensors is dirty, damaged or sending misinformation to the Engine Control Module, it can cause the idle to run very rough. Some other issues that may be causing this symptom may include dirty EGR valve, air/fuel sensor or problems with the throttle body itself.

If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose this issue for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.

ANSWER : Hi there. This can be caused by the issues that you mentioned or a number of other things. You need to make sure all of the connectors are making good contact. I would then need to know what codes are in the computer to know if this is a circuit issue or not. Most of the time, it is not the circuit but instead a vacuum leak.

If there is a vacuum leak, then the vehicle will act like this and the computer cannot control the idle. Most of the time it is a bad hose or an EGR valve that is stuck open. That is the most common cause for this. I typically remove the EGR to check it to feel the diaphragm on the bottom of it to see if it is moving correctly. If you need to have this repaired, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose and repair your car’s idling issue.

ANSWER : Hello. This can be caused by a number of different things. If this occurred right after you had gotten fuel then I would start by testing the fuel pressure. I would do this when the vehicle starts running poorly. It is possible that the bad fuel contaminated the fuel pump and it is not putting out the right pressure. If the fuel pressure is fine then I would check the other sensors readings with a scan tool. One other common thing that I have seen on this engine is a leaking intake manifold gasket. It starts leaking on the bottom side and that leak causes the MAF and MAP to not read correctly which causes it to run like this. If you would like to have this rough running condition looked at, consider having a YourMechanic certified techniciancan come to your home or office to diagnose why it is running rough.