so normally my car fires over on the 2nd try. Usually it idles around 1000 or so and runs generally fine.

Every couple of weeks, for maybe a day at a time, it will idle up at 1500-1800. From startup, to after warmup waiting at a traffic light, it sits there at like 1800 or so. When I put it in gear it of course dropps , but the the minute I put it back in neutral, it jumps to 1800 and sits there.

Then if I stop somewhere, its hard to start, i have to keep trying and it eventually starts.

Besides the start and idle, it runs perfectly fine as far as I can tell.

this happened all day yesterday.

Then today (and in the past too, the next day) it is all back to normal.
It starts again on the 1st or 2nd try, idles around 1000 and starts fine when I stop somewhere.

I would say this happens every other week for 1 to 1/2 of the day.

Is this anything to do with timing or anything like that?

I know alot of this is vague, but since I don't understand a lot that goes into timing and idle and such, its the best info I can give.

I'd be glad to answer any questions.

 

i have a '94, so i'm not sure if this applies to your car. but i had the same thing happening as far as idling high at stop lights once the engine got warm.....i cleaned the throttle body and Idle Air Controller w/throttle body cleaner and Q-tips. this immediately solved my problem and only took about 20 minutes.

not sure what the normal idle rpm is for your car, but my '94 idles around 550 rpms.....maybe 1000 is normal for your car, not sure though. as far as your starting up problem goes, i have no idea...

 

Check into the IAC for the idle issue. Check the fuel pump relay for the starting issue.

 

my vote... IAC also...

MO

 

Cliffs Notes:

• Replaced IAC and problem is fixed.
• Cleaned TB and have better/smoother response.
• used the forum search function with archives checked and found all the answers without posting a seperate thread asking for advice.

Update:

I replaced the IAC and all issues are gone

It idles back in it's 800-1000 range like it was originally set to.


I could not find a socket to take it out with, so I removed the entire TB and just used an adjustable wrench to get it out. While the TB was off, I took some forum member's advice that I had seen in other threads about cleaning the TB weather it needs it or not. I got out some rags and q-tips and cleaned away. It responds MUCH better now when slowly taking off from a dead stop, before I would have to give it a little gas to get it moving, now it just goes when I gently ease into the gas.

The IAC I got from Discount Auto Parts. I used the GP Sorensen brand.

It was $33, AutoZone and Ecklers (GM Part) were both $75/$85. I liked the $33 price much better, but I was uneasy about the price difference in an aftermarket brand. I decided to use the forum search to find out more info.

which brings me to another point:

USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION AND CHECK ARCHIVES WHEN SEARCHING FOR STUFF!

I searched for IAC, found nothing, then searched with archives checked and found a ton if stuff, but not what I was looking for. I was specifically looking for advice on the GP Sorensen brand.

I then did a search with archives checked on GP Sorensen, and a TON of stuff came up. I read through quite a few and found that most all their parts are pretty good and a lot of people were using them and had no issues.

I was then able to cancel the post I had typed out, but not submitted yet, on asking about this part and brand. I didn't have to wait around all afternoon for an answer and create yet another post with the same question that was already answered many times already.

 

Go to Borders and buy Ben Watson's book on Chevy Fuel Injection. You will then understand how it works (as well as the Camry you will eventually own).

Obtain some means to scan your engine - either through free software and a cable that you buy to hook up to a laptop (ask over at Scan and Tune for sources), or purchase a scanner so that you can see what's going on the next time there is a problem - though I'm not real clear that the idle is correct. It should idle at +/-50 rpms from Targeted Rpm in Drive; +/-100 rpms in Park/Neutral. Of course it shouldn't surge and die either, but it looks like you've got that worked out.

 

GIJoe: The search function is a good tool, if used. Just takes some time, and i agree with you, you just have to dig a little and 'archives' is the only way to go... If more new users used the function and took the time to check out the functions available on the forum before posting, alot of their questions would be answered.

I've though about email mojo on putting a sticky about how to use the Search function.... may help newbees on their quest for information.

 

That would definately help, I use it every time I have a question. Of the few things I posted up recently, that was only because I couldn't find my answer. I literally have 30-40 other posts that I did NOT make over the years because of the search function, and finding someone else's question had already been answered before me, thus saving myself the time and not wasting everyone else's time.

I think the next time I redo my sig, I am going to have a nice link in there for the search tool hehe...

Maybe I will make a How To with screen shots and all if anyone would think that would be useful.

I write a lot of technical manuals for people that don't get it. If they can't get it after reading through my simplified instructions, then they failed at the human race.

I mean I seriously saved myself some time AND money last weekend when I went to replace that IAC JUST because of the search tool!!

 

We definitely have some candidates for that honor.



I wonder how much more you could have saved $33.00?) if you had tried the cleaned, old, IAC before you replaced it?

It seems you still have a problem. Even though smooth, a 1000 rpm idle is too high. You might try the minimum air/TPS adjustment regimen.

I applaud your promotion of the search function.

RACE ON!!!

 

Great post Joe I've used the functions before and also got answers and try occasionally to steer people that way...but it could be simpler for new members, and we were all new at one time.

I've seen alot of questions regarding Sorenson, believe me, I've been using their parts for years and highly recomend them!

I think your idels are fine, my 87 auto always hovers around 1000 on cold starts and drops to 700-750 in park, 600-650 in gear.