My 02 sentra ser spec V runs fine if it is under a load and while accelarating but at an idle it keeps jumping up between 1000 and 2500 rpm for a few seconds before finally settling in at around 1200 rpm. it has the check engine light that comes on sometimes steady, sometimes flashing, and occasionaly not at all. the problem is persistent regardless of the check engine light. just wondering if i should look at the throttle body or if its something more simple. any help is greatly appreciated.

The rough idle is associated with the p011 code. The P011 code is: Camshaft A over advanced. There is a mechanical fault with the intake camshaft.
You need to take the car into a mechanic, preferably the dealer since they have all of the needed special tools, to properly diagnose and repair the issue.

Check the ECTS fuse (10 Amp) located under the hood fuse and relay box.

Check out related help links to troubleshoot these problem:----Click the link below:---Idles Fine but RPM jumps in drive mode? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/07/idles-fine-but-rpm-jumps-in-drive-mode.html
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http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-adjust-rpm-on-2009-dodge-charger.html
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Engine cuts out at 3000 RPM? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/engine-cuts-out-at-3000-rpm.html

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Cold start problem and vehicle shudder around 2500 to 3500 rpms
http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-start-problem-and-vehicle-shudder.html

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High rpm in neutral? Inconsistant high RPM in neutral? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/high-rpm-in-neutral-inconsistant-high.html

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Jetski Sputters and Low RPM? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/jetski-sputters-and-low-rpm.html

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Fuel Injection Problem And RPM suddenly increases http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/fuel-injection-problem-and-rpm-suddenly.html

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2005 Toyota Highlander: Engine runs hard RPM below 3000? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2005-toyota-highlander-engine-runs-hard.html

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1987 Toyota Camry: RPM Drops going Up hills? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1987-toyota-camry-rpm-drops-going-up.html

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Cruise Control stops working, Excessive cranks to start the engine and RPM goes max 2500 http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/cruise-control-stops-workingexcessive.html

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1990 Toyota 4Runner: Engine cuts off when reaches 2000 RPM?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1990-toyota-4runner-engine-cuts-off.html

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1999 Toyota Camry: Erratic stalling and high engine RPM at idle?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1999-toyota-camry-erratic-stalling-and.html

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1995 Toyota LS: Misfire at idle or low RPM http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/04/1995-toyota-ls-misfire-at-idle-or-low.html

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Lexus RX: Tapping noise under Valve Cover At Low RPM? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/lexus-rx-tapping-noise-under-valve.html

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These will help.
Thanks.

Check out related help links to troubleshoot these problem:----Click the link below:---Idles Fine but RPM jumps in drive mode?http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/07/idles-fine-but-rpm-jumps-in-drive-mode.html
---------Mitsubishi Lancer rpm needle bounces?http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/mitsubishi-lancer-rpm-needle-bounces.html
--------How to adjust rpm on 2009 dodge charger SRT8?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-adjust-rpm-on-2009-dodge-charger.html
---------
Engine cuts out at 3000 RPM?http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/engine-cuts-out-at-3000-rpm.html

---------

Cold start problem and vehicle shudder around 2500 to 3500 rpms
http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/10/cold-start-problem-and-vehicle-shudder.html

---------
High rpm in neutral? Inconsistant high RPM in neutral?http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/high-rpm-in-neutral-inconsistant-high.html

-----------
Jetski Sputters and Low RPM? http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/jetski-sputters-and-low-rpm.html

--------
Fuel Injection Problem And RPM suddenly increaseshttp://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/fuel-injection-problem-and-rpm-suddenly.html

----------
2005 Toyota Highlander: Engine runs hard RPM below 3000?http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2005-toyota-highlander-engine-runs-hard.html

---------
1987 Toyota Camry: RPM Drops going Up hills?http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1987-toyota-camry-rpm-drops-going-up.html

-----------
Cruise Control stops working, Excessive cranks to start the engine and RPM goes max 2500 http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/cruise-control-stops-workingexcessive.html

----------
1990 Toyota 4Runner: Engine cuts off when reaches 2000 RPM?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1990-toyota-4runner-engine-cuts-off.html

------------
1999 Toyota Camry: Erratic stalling and high engine RPM at idle?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1999-toyota-camry-erratic-stalling-and.html

---------
1995 Toyota LS: Misfire at idle or low RPMhttp://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/04/1995-toyota-ls-misfire-at-idle-or-low.html

-----------
Lexus RX: Tapping noise under Valve Cover At Low RPM?http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/lexus-rx-tapping-noise-under-valve.html

----------
These will help.
Thanks.

For this types of problem,there are few help inks to troubleshoot the problem.Click the link below to go through the troubleshooting procedure to resolve the issues :----Idles rough and quits when gas pedal is pressed less? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/01/1999-ford-f-150-idles-rough-and-quits.html-----------van idles rough? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/01/2004-ford-freestar-van-idles-rough.html
--------------runs lean and idles rough? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/ford-runs-lean-and-idles-rough.html
-----------Car still runs Rough after tune up? http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-still-runs-rough-after-tune-up.html
------------Idle flair is noticed on car? Rough idle? car will not idle? Erratic idle speed? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/idle-flair-is-noticed-on-car-rough-idle.html
----------High rpm in neutral? Inconsistant high RPM in neutral? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/high-rpm-in-neutral-inconsistant-high.html
------------Engine Backfires? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/jeep-backfires.html----------- Nissan stalls and bucks on Acceleration?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-pathfinder-stalls-and-bucks-on.html

-----------
Nissan Pathfinder Backfires? http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/nissan-pathfinder-backfires.html
---------How to adjust rpm? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-adjust-rpm-on-2009-dodge-charger.html
------------Engine cuts out at 3000 RPM? http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/engine-cuts-out-at-3000-rpm.html
----------This will help.Thanks.

This IAC valve runs only when your foot is off the gas pedal. Mainly to keep the engine from stalling and keeping it at a safe RPM. If it is running bad under 2000RPM, more than likely its the IAC valve or a vacuum leak. Clean or replace the IAC valve....Hopefully this helps!!

Got the same make/model/year, but haven't had that problem. Does your temperature gauge run at half or above when this happens? If so, start with a cheap fix - new thermostat.

Another thing to consider is that some of the QR25DE engines equipped in the 02 Sentra SERs has an active recall on the crank position sensor. This fault would cause the check engine light to come on and the car would stall unexpectedly. It should start back up but the frequency of this will only increase without repair.

Also, no need to change plug wires, you have coil pack ignition - there is no distributor. If a coil pack is bad, you will have constant misfire and SES light.

actually it works in battery. check the coil associated with the RPM meter or if your battery charge is low recharge it. You ll get it fixed :) Please rate this!!

try replacing the crankshaft and camshaft sensers, my 2004 sentra spec v had the same problem.It cost me $122 for both the sensers and can be done in 20mins

The throttle body needs cleaning. It has some carbon build up, and when the battery went dead the computer lost its learned values, one of which is base throttle position. Now its reset back to factory specs, not accounting for a dirty throttle body. Seen it a million times