[uscg97TJ]

Hey guys
I got my first jeep about a week ago and drive it about 700 miles straight home with no problems. after starting the TJ one time before i left, it idled very rough and sounded like it wanted to die, but never did. Once i got it back the problem started happening more often. still the engine hasn't died.
I only know things that could have been contributing factors-
1. it has mostly sat for the past 8 years (less than 1,000 miles put on it and was parked in the garage.)
2. i found a loose hose on the air intake

i had a friend who is more mechanically inclined than myself tell it it sounds like a have a vaccum leak?

any ideas?
thanks in advance for your input!

[1HouseMouse]

First, I would do a complete Tune-Up to establish some sort of baseline and then work from there. If it has sat for a long period of time as this may be the case here, anything could be causing a problem or multiple problems.

[TheBoogieman]

Clean the IAC and TB first.That's the #1 problem with idle issues.Fix the hose and then check plugs and other things(just because they should be).Most likely it's a common dirty TB and IAC.Cheapest fixes go first.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/iac-question-489089/
Pm me if you have any other questions.

[BC Jeep]

You MUST eliminate ALL the vacuum leaks first. Fix that hose. Once all the vacuum leaks are fixed:

If you remove the air tube from the throttle body, look down into the opening. It should be CLEAN! If it isnt, use some CARB CLEANER and a lint free cloth. Spray the dirt/carbon and wipe with the rag. Open the TB and clean throttle blade and the throttle body below the blade. Once thats all clean:

NEXT! Theres a small rectangle SLOT in the throttle body opening. Thats the IDLE AIR intake. The Idle Air Control (IAC) sensor (sensor thats connected to the TB near that slot) is a stepper solenoid valve that controls how much air enters that slot and a valve allows air AROUND the closed throttle blade.

The ECU opens and closes that IAC valve in digital steps to control the idle. If its dirty or stickey, it doesnt open/close properly and cant properly control the idle.

TRY THIS. With the engine OFF. Spray some CARB CLEANER in that slot and allow it to soak for an hour or so. After it soaks, Start the engine (it may idle rough for 30 seconds or so).. Once the engine is running, spray a little carb cleaner in the slot. The engine will stumble but the adder cleaner will cause the stepper motor/pendle inside the IAC to open and close and the added spray will flush out any dirt/carbon. Let the engine stableize and see how it idles.

If that fails to fix the issue, you might have to remove the IAC from the TB and clean it.

BC

[uscg97TJ]

thanks!