idle issue, need help.

Okay I have a 2007 ram 5.7. About a month ago I changed my spark plugs, cleaned my throttle body , and had fluids changed. Anyways I noticed (dont believe it was right after these changes or have any corrilation with the changes) when i stop at a stop light for example my truck idling at its normal 600 rpm slowly drops to about 400 rpm then bumps back up to 600. Almost like my truck falls asleep and then realizes it needs to go back to 600 rpm. I notice at night it even effects my lights, for a split second when reving back up to 600rpm the lights dim.... Any clue what would cause this idling issue? by the way it does not do it everytime i am idling but often.

What kind of plugs did you put in? Champion?

yes sir champion plugs. Gapped to correct dimension

An EGR valve that's on its way out can do that

an egr valve huh. I put a brand new one in it a little over a year ago. I guess there is no way on knowing until it goes?

Originally Posted by orvtenn

An EGR valve that's on its way out can do that

I can attest to that. It happened to me three or so times. Once while idling in stop and go traffic. And twice while coming to a stop at a stop sign. I just pulled the EGR, cleaned it out with some brake cleaner, and its been good ever since.

huh i guess i need to check it out. It does it almost everytime it idles

does your throttle blade have a little wiggle play in it??

on my throttle body? not that i know of. But i havent checked since i cleaned it. When i cleaned it, it did not.

Originally Posted by J.trevor123

an egr valve huh. I put a brand new one in it a little over a year ago. I guess there is no way on knowing until it goes?

Correct. The plunger on the valve usually sticks but I have seen the hole on the block plugged full of carbon, if that's the case shoot some brake cleaner up in there, just wear eye protection - the splash back burns. On these trucks, they usually won't set a code right away. I ran mine for 3-4 months with it occasionally stalling or trying to stall at lights before it finally set a code for the EGR.

okay thanks alot, i took the egr out today and cleaned it. seemed to work. We will see with more driving.

okay i cleaned the egr valve and idle issue was not fixed. I replacved the egr valve and still not fixed. Dont know why it wont idle consistantly... Also i romoved my PCV Valve on my throttle body and it had a oil like substance on it... thats normal?

also notices it idles fine in park, but stopped in drive is not consistant

I think they're some PCM software updates available for low idle speed if the EGR doesn't fix the problem.

I guess I would need to take it to the dealership for updates?