- #50 of 69
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Re: Low Speed Surging and Idle Problem [sharkbait3]
by wilson12
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May 02, 2008 (4:42 am)
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Replying to: sharkbait3 (May 01, 2008 12:24 pm)
Mine only has 7-8000 miles on it, but it wouldn't hurt for me to at least remove the plugs and check the gap. Apparently idle/surging has been somewhat of a problem for the Matrix for a while. The service dept did say there had been a recall on the 07 models to replace the ECU. Unfortunately when they checked mine it had come with the new one so there wasn't anything they could do. Mine runs fine when the engine is cold and idles at 1000-1200, but when it settles down to 700-800 it feels like it's about to die. This indicates to me if I could bump the idle up about a 100 rpms it might be okay, but service said there is no way to simply adjust the idle. I sure miss carburetors!
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- #51 of 69
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Re: Low Speed Surging and Idle Problem [wilson12]
by nippononly
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May 05, 2008 (11:13 am)
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Replying to: wilson12 (May 02, 2008 4:42 am)
But even in the good ol' days of carbs, turning up the idle was simply a way to mask the problem and burn more gas. Usually it was caused by a miss: bad/fouled plug, bad wire? Sticky valve?
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- #52 of 69
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Re: Low Speed Surging and Idle Problem [wilson12]
by sharkbait3
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Jul 17, 2008 (1:42 pm)
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Replying to: wilson12 (Apr 23, 2008 9:25 am)
Hey Wilson,
i think i finally have an answer for you on low speed surging. If it is what i think it is... it is a no brainer! It is most likely the air conditioning pump, weather the AC is on or off the pump is still working to keep the juices moving and at low idle speeds it puts a little load on the motor and the cpu kicks up the idle to compensate for it. I know it is frustrating that it does this, but it just the way the motor is made. There is nothing wrong with it.
Thanks Sharkbait3
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- #53 of 69
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Re: Low Speed Surging and Idle Problem [sharkbait3]
by rich505
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Jul 18, 2008 (3:51 pm)
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Replying to: sharkbait3 (Jul 17, 2008 1:42 pm)
What "AC pump" are you talking about?
There is an AC compressor. The compressor is run by the accessory drive belt. The pulley of the compressor is always turning but the compressor is only operating when the electrically-operated clutch is engaged. The clutch is engaged when the system is calling for cooling either in the AC-mode or often in the defrost mode when the outside temperature is above freezing.
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- #54 of 69
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Re: Low Speed Surging and Idle Problem [rich505]
by jwilmsen
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Dec 09, 2008 (7:07 am)
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Replying to: rich505 (Jul 18, 2008 3:51 pm)
Hi everyone,
I am new here but have been suffering with this idle / rpm revving / surging issue with our 2006 Matrix Xr (21,000 on the od) for awhile now. So far this has been replaced (warranty repair):
Repair attempt 1:
-CMSHAFT TM – GEAR OR SPRKT
-GEAR ASSY
-GASKET, CYLINDER HEAD
-RING
Repair attempt 2:
-FUEL TANK SUBASSEMBLY
-CHARCOAL CANNISTER
-ENGINE CONTROL MODULE
Now, in-between these two repair attempts we have been to the dealer to complain about the issue numerous times but got the standard “Technician drove the vehicle but unable to duplicate condition at this time”. The latest repair attempt was a result of the car demonstrating the revving while the car was idling in the service bay as we were paying for a diagnostic test that showed nothing.
Here is the kicker, we just picked up the car from the second repair attempt and on the receipt is this statement “RELACED ECM MAY HAVE ADDITONAL PROBLEMS NOT FOUND AT THIS TIME. TEST DROVE, RUNS OKAY AT THIS TIME”
We are feed up.
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- #55 of 69
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Re: Low Speed Surging and Idle Problem [jwilmsen]
by circuitsmith
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Dec 10, 2008 (11:14 am)
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Replying to: jwilmsen (Dec 09, 2008 7:07 am)
Does the Check Engine Light ever come on? If so what codes have been scanned?
With no light I would have suspected the ECM, or its firmware, first.
Does it do this at random times, or as the engine warms up?
This car would have to do a lot more than bounce the idle before I'd think bad head gasket.
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- #56 of 69
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Re: Low Speed Surging and Idle Problem [circuitsmith]
by jwilmsen
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Dec 11, 2008 (5:24 am)
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Replying to: circuitsmith (Dec 10, 2008 11:14 am)
The first wave of problems can be characterized by the car starting, idling very roughly, and then dying. This happened twice and both times the car had to be towed to the dealer. When it happened the first time the check engine light came on so the dealer solution was to replace the cam shaft. Then it happened again one week later and the dealer could not find the problem because the Matrix miraculously “healed” itself while it sat overnight in the dealer bay. We were given the car back. Ever since then we have had this low idle then surging issue that manifests itself at anytime. It was unnerving to say the least. You could be pulling into a parking space and it would decide to surge almost sending you into another parked car. My wife almost hit a pedestrian because of it (stopped at a light and it lurched). As you can imagine we went to dealer multiple times to complain but could never get the Matrix to produce the symptoms on demand for them until last week (12/4/08) were they subsequently made the 2nd batch of repairs. What really makes me upset is the dealer put this statement (to try and indemnify themselves) on the receipt of the 2nd repair job “Replaced ECM may have additional problems not found at this time. Test drove, runs okay at this time.” Either the car is fixed or not! 
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- #57 of 69
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Replacing the air filter
by unclesalami
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Jan 02, 2009 (8:45 am)
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Does any one have an experience with replacing the OEM filter with a K&N air filter? Is it worth it?
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- #58 of 69
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Re: Low Speed Surging and Idle Problem [wilson12]
by unskinator
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Jan 18, 2009 (7:36 am)
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Replying to: wilson12 (Apr 23, 2008 9:25 am)
I own an 03 xr with way over 100000 miles. regarding engine idle fluctuations, to me its pretty normal. If u read the owner manual u will find that matrix and many other toyotas for that matter have defrost control activated aircondioning. So regardless of temp, your ac will kick in if u have heater on defrost windshield mode. And when the ac compressor kicks in ecu automatically will increase the idle so as to compensate for the load. This feature improves the defrost a lot as the ac will dry the air before it hits the windshield. Hope this will put the matter to rest. And here is answers to couple of other matrix questions. Engine does not have timing belt but longlasting good old chain, and regarding the so called noisy serpentine belt idler, most times the noise goes away by installing a good aftermarket belt, regards. Unskinator
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- #59 of 69
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Re: Replacing the air filter [unclesalami]
by circuitsmith
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Jan 18, 2009 (12:04 pm)
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Replying to: unclesalami (Jan 02, 2009 8:45 am)
They only improve power a little at full throttle. At other times they just let more dirt into your engine. They have to be oiled. Put on too much oil and it will foul the MAF sensor.
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