On wet and cold days, engines often struggle to start and exhibit their discomfort with fluctuations in engine speed (RPMs). If these fluctuations occur during a cold start within a narrow range, it's usually not a cause for concern.
However, if starting difficulties arise or if the fluctuations in RPMs persist beyond the engine's warm-up phase, this indicates a problem. Identifying the cause can be challenging as there isn't always a warning light or an error message stored in the diagnostic system. Thus, locating the issue can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.
The usual suspects often include the mass airflow sensor, oxygen sensor, as well as the camshaft and crankshaft position sensors. Replacing these parts is not overly expensive and tends to be relatively quick. A clogged fuel filter, a faulty ignition coil, or a defective fuel pump can also be responsible for RPM fluctuations.
Causes of RPM Fluctuations
- Dirty throttle body;
- Faulty ignition coils;
- Faulty spark/glow plugs;
- Defective mass airflow sensor;
- Faulty oxygen sensor;
- Clogged air filter;
- Clogged fuel filter;
- Defective fuel pump;
- Faulty camshaft/crankshaft position sensor;
Facing any of the problems listed above? We have prepared articles for you, in which we have detailed information on how to solve each of the issues. Read them and your engine will start whispering again:
- How To Diagnose A Faulty EGR Valve: Causes and Solutions
- How to Tell if Catalytic Converter Is Clogged
- How To Diagnose Bad Crankshaft Position Sensor: Symptoms And Causes
- My Car Won't Start - What Are The Possible Causes?
- How To Clean Your Vehicle Throttle Body - Step-by-Step Guideline
- Faulty Ignition Coils - How To Diagnose And Fix
- Mass Air Flow Sensor Fail: How To Diagnose And Fix
Reviewed by Alex Ross
Content Editor, responsible for maintaining the quality and accuracy of the information presented on our blog.
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