# Idle erratic

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/idle-erratic/53047>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** nissan, altima\
**Created:** [August 6, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/idle-erratic/53047 "2010-08-06T00:59:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![John33](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5ac83/32.png) [@John33](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John33)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/idle-erratic/53047/1 "2010-08-06T00:59:30Z")

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I have a 2001 nissan Altima. when the car is in neutral, or in drive but at a stop, the idle becomes erratic, going up and down. The car does not stall but I am worried it could. Car runs fine when I use the gas pedal, no skipping at all. Is there a sensor that could cause this problem

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [August 6, 2010, 1:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/idle-erratic/53047/2 "2010-08-06T01:06:46Z")

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More likely an idle air controller (IAC) problem or a vacuum leak.