Chevy Cruze Rough Idling and Stalling Problems. How to Fix?

The Chevy Cruze was certainly a popular option for every mid-sized sedan buyer in the USA and other parts of the world. The vehicle affords the owner and the passengers practicability, a sporty feel, and great fuel economy. This 1.4l engine-powered vehicle has plenty to offer, but like every vehicle on the road, it has its fair share of problems.

Engine idling problems highlights

• Level of urgency:Low
• DIY inspection:Possible but may be complicated
• DIY repair:Sometimes, possible
• Cost of repair:$150 - $600
• Can you drive?Yes
• Commonreasons:IAC valve, throttle position sensor, MAF sensor, carb problems, fuel pressure issues, air supply problems
• Ways to fix:Adjusting the system or replacing the faulty sensor or another part thatis diagnosedto be bad

Chevy Cruze rough idling and stalling problems

On several online forums, Chevy Cruze owners report experiencing rough idling and sometimes even stalling. This is usually accompanied by the check engine light (CEL). The rough idling has been reported by owners of both old and pretty newer Cruze.

The rough idling and stalling is not an exclusive Chevy Cruze problem but can affect any vehicle. Given the number of online complaints about this model, it is worth exploring why this problem is prevalent. The most interesting thing about this rough idling is that it happens at a stoplight. For the drivers whose cars stalled after idling rough at a light, they restarted the engine, and everything went on fine afterward.

Causes of rough idling and stalling in Chevy Cruze and fixes

1) Faulty PCV valve

PCV valve in your car closes and opens on a given schedule. It is mandated with the task of controlling gaseous emissions made by the crankcase. It takes combustion gases back into the engine to be exhaustively burnt, allowing the car to only release environmentally healthy gases. A good PCV has been seen to improve the crankcase efficiency and piston ring performance in chamber compression hence better acceleration.

Whenever the PCV valve gets jammed up, this causes the engine to be sluggish in acceleration, and the oil consumption will increase exponentially. The one obvious symptom that you shouldn't miss is rough idling. This is a particularly tricky problem because, in most cases, rough idling is caused by faulty spark plugs causing a PCV rough idling problem to be misdiagnosed.

PCV means 'positive crankcase ventilation.' As stated earlier, PCV takes crankcase gases and directs such into the combustion chamber. Several Cruze owners have had this rough idling problem resolved once and for all after they replaced the PCV valve cover. The design of the PCV valve cover might be faulty as the springs to the cover malfunction and cause the valve to start leaking at any time, which then makes the car idle roughly.

Solution

The best way to fix a faulty PCV valve is by attaching the OBD II scanner to know the error codes the ECM is throwing. The likely codes to see are P0171 and P0174. These codes mean the engine is running lean. A lean condition in the engine means it is not getting enough fuel for its demands.

The easiest way to test whether the PCV valve leaks is to pop up the hood. On the engine bay, remove the ECOTEC cover from where you can easily access a small protruding breather on the left side where the PCV is located. Start the car and listen for a hissing noise coming from the PCV side. The hissing noise is an indicator of a faulty PCV.

Another way to check whether the PCV valve is good is to remove and shake it. The PCV is good if a metallic rattling sound can be heard. The lack of the rattling noise means the PCV is likely not closing and opening as required. The valve can be cleaned to resume functionality or replaced if damaged beyond serving.

The PCV valve should be checked regularly and replaced where necessary. Here are situations when the valve should be replaced;

• Rough idling and stalling
• Check engine light
• Noticeable oil leaks
• Sludge on the engine
• The engine makes a whistling noise

2) Faulty EVAP purge valve

The EVAP purge valve is part of the Evaporative Emission Control system (EVAP system). This system is found in gasoline engines and is employed to prevent gasoline vapors in the fuel tank from escaping into the atmosphere. The fuel vapors in the fuel tank are temporality trapped and stored in the charcoal canister in the valve.

The ECM will likely throw codes from P0443 to P0449 whenever the EVAP purge valve malfunctions. The OBD II scanner is likely to pick up these codes. There can be cases when the CEL might not show on the dash, though, and the vehicle has rough idling. To test the EVAP purge valve on your Chevy Cruze, pop up the hood, and the valve should be behind the engine.

To test whether the EVAP purge valve is good or not, you need to turn off the engine first. Use a screwdriver to lift off the red electrical connector and pull the line to the charcoal canister away from the valve. Essentially, it disables the EVAP valve.

Start the engine and place a finger on the EVAP valve where the electrical solenoid is. If you feel the valve sucking any air, then you have a bad EVAP valve. When this valve is stuck open, the engine will run rich, and this causes rough idling.

Solution

A faulty EVAP valve will come with several symptoms, such as CEL, rough idling, and poor engine performance. The solution to a bad EVAP purge valve is to replace one. You can buy the valve for as little as $20.

3) Bad mass air flow sensor

The mass air flow sensor, or the MAF sensor, is located between the air filter and the intake manifold. It is mandated with measuring the amount of air entering the engine. This sensor plays a crucial role in letting the PCM determine the amount of fuel to send to the engine when the car is idling. The sensor also helps determine the gear shift points in your Cruze.

Solution

A bad MAF can cause symptoms such as stalling, poor acceleration, poor engine performance, engine not starting, and CEL. Resolving this problem in your Chevy will depend on what is wrong with the MAF sensor. If the MAF is dirty and the electric chip is blocked, you can use an approved cleaning fluid to remove the sludge. This is pretty easy since you only need to spray the cleaner on the MAF, wait for it to dry, and drive off. Where the MAF is damaged, you will need to replace it.

4) A clogged throttle body

The throttle body is a crucial part of the air intake system in your engine. The throttle body determines the right amount of air that enters the engine, which then determines how the engine runs and the speed at which the car moves. The throttle body is synchronized with the accelerator, and a malfunction on its part can make the car stall, perform poorly in fuel efficiency, or idle roughly.

The easiest way to determine whether the throttle body is working or not is to run a diagnostic scan. A bad throttle body will cause the check engine light to show. Though numerous error codes are associated with a faulty MAF, the P0171, and the P0174 errors indicate the system is too lean, which points to our rough idling problem.

A clogged throttle body makes it impossible to close or reduce the gap enough to allow the minimum needed air when the engine is idling. This means the air-fuel proportion is wrong, and the car will idle roughly or stall.

Solution

A throttle body clogged can be cleaned with a throttle body cleaner which can be bought at your local dealership or online.

Conclusion

Chevy Cruze has proven over time to be a reliable car. The rough idling and stalling problems affecting it are not significant or severe enough to warrant the Cruze to be branded unreliable. You can now solve rough idling problems even without going to the dealership.