# Wobbly engine idle

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/wobbly-engine-idle/193333>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [October 11, 2023, 12:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wobbly-engine-idle/193333 "2023-10-11T12:07:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jmcarc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/278dde/32.png) [@jmcarc](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jmcarc)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 12:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wobbly-engine-idle/193333/1 "2023-10-11T12:07:42Z")

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When I come to a stop in my 2005 Buick Century, the engine idle sometimes has a wobbly feel. Is it the harmonic balancer, an engine mount or does it need ignition work?

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 12:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wobbly-engine-idle/193333/2 "2023-10-11T12:20:39Z")

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My crystal ball says… Need more information.

You are not brand new here and we don’t memorize everyone’s cars and problems… soooo???

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 2:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wobbly-engine-idle/193333/3 "2023-10-11T14:39:50Z")

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The idle air control valve may be dirty/defective.

 ![215-91008_1](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/9/a/9acc0f0b3a9a5bcb80b9ca6cc35516331fbf1c3c.jpeg)

Tester

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 10:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wobbly-engine-idle/193333/4 "2023-10-11T22:44:11Z")

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Is there a reason you think the symptom might be related to the harmonic balancer or engine mount? While such a thing is possible, that idea seems very unlikely. If by “wobbly idle” you mean the idle rpm isn’t steady, varies up and down at random, more likely suspects would be an intake air or fuel problem. Throttle valve, vacuum leak, fuel injectors, purge valve, or associated sensors. Is the check engine light on?