Rough Idle

[Plimbob]

My 07 has developed an uneven/rough idle and the headlights and dash lights go dimmer and brighter in cycle with the uneven idle?

Plug and wires were changed out 12 months or so ago. The dimming of the lights are throwing me off a bit?

Any thoughts?

 

[992dr]

I had a pretty choppy idle in my 07, I cleaned the MAF and it made a huge difference.
Start by cleaning your MAF.

Your headlight sounds like it may be a grounding issue.

 

[ezdaar]

do stuff mentioned above and also check all power cables and grounds under hood.
have alt and batt checked aswell.

 

[GM Customer Service]

Were you able to find out what was causing the rough idle and fix the issue, Plimbob? I see that your fellow forum members are stepping in and providing you advice which is awesome. As a customer service representative, I'm not able to provide much in the way of do-it-yourself information. If you have any lingering concerns, please feel free to private message me.

Jennifer T.
GM Customer Care

 

[Plimbob]

Sorry for the stupid question but what is the MAF and what is the cleaning process?

 

[fiatdale]

Mass Air Flow Sensor. Know where your air filter is? Its just past that box, where there is an electrical connection and a couple of hose clamps. There is a special cleaner you can get at autoparts stores that spray on it. Don't use just anything, its a sensitive piece.

 

[Vgreid]

Cant help on the rough idle, but my 07 used to dim the lights under other high-load events such as anti-lock, traction control, etc... The battery failed a load test, dropped a new one in and it solved the problem.

For the rough idle tho, are you going through any oil? If so, plugs and other internals could be carbed/oiled up.

 

[02gmcdenali]

Agree with the above, the lights dimming is most likely a battery issue. The battery helps even out the changes in amp draw and the charging from the alternator at different engine speeds. Believe it or not, one of my relatives had a Honda Accord with a marginal battery and if you were driving at decent engine load, then let off the gas, you could watch the headlights get dimmer.

The rough idle could be a number of things. MAF cleaning is a simple place to start. Make sure your air filter isn't clogged up too. Do you have a check engine light?