Idle Surge When Shift into Gear

[cg22@tampabay.rr.com]

I just spent about 40 min. looking for related posts, no luck. I am sure someone must have had this problem before and the fix is just an adjustment or sensor.

My 93 Camry LE V-6 idle will jump up about 300-400 rpm when I shift it into gear (drive or reverse). It does it regardless whether it's hot or cold. The car is almost unsafe to drive because the idle surge is so bad that if you don't have the brake firmly held the car will jump forward. The car idles fine (700rpm) when hot and does the normal high idle when cold and slowly drops to 700 when it reaches normal operating temp.

The car has 200k miles (39k on engine rebuild) and 16K on tranny rebuild.

I am thinking it's TPS, or maybe tranny sensor related. Any ideas on why the car would behave like this?

[new echo owner]

I agree with you on the TPS.

N.E.O.

[cg22@tampabay.rr.com]

I will pick one up at the junkyard tomorrow and try it. If anyone has any other ideas please let me know this way I can pick up other sensor(s) if needed while I am at the junkyard. BTW, thx Neo.

[BlueFusion6851]

Hmm... I thought this was a normal thing, mine does it alll the time.

[cg22@tampabay.rr.com]

This idle surge thing is definately NOT normal. If there was a person or pet in front of me I would have almost certainly ran it over. Follow this post BlueFusion, I will find the problem (hopefully) and post the faix.

[xtremeskier97]

My 93 V6 XLE in my sig does this also. I will be watching this for sure, as I cant go to the junkyard today because Hurricane IKE is on it's way to us.

[new echo owner]

The ECM has to see an idle or close throttle signal from the TPS to regulate the idle speed when the trans is shifted into gear.

N.E.O.

[BlueFusion6851]

Cool, well this is just another thing I can fix. Keep us posted!

[cg22@tampabay.rr.com]

Guys, I think I solved this one.

Here's what I did.....

1) I cleaned the IAC (remove 3 screws with stubby phillips screwdriver) and cleaned and the seat inside the throttle body). Be careful not to strip the screws as they are tight and not much room between the IAC and firewall.

2) Cleaned the Cold Start injector (1 13mm bolt on fuel line and 2 10mm bolts to remove). Then sprayed TB cleaner into open hole in all directions. (don't forget to put 2 washers back on fuel line or you will have fuel leak)

3) Started car (took a few times due to excess TB cleaner in intake). Ran engine at 1500rpm for 30-45 sec to burn our TB cleaner.

4) Turn off car then disconnected battery for 30 sec to reset ECM.

5) Start car and let it idle for a 1-2 min then go for short ride so that the ECM can re-learn its new sensor data.

Now car idles at 700 and no more surging when I put it in gear. Idle does increase slightly (50 rpm) which I believe is normal.

I did notice one odd thing, the RPMs increase (50-75rpm) whenever I turn the steering wheel while parked. This may be normal behavior for Camrys ( I bought the car last week). Does your Camry do the same?

[Black95Cam]

Originally Posted by cg22@tampabay.rr.com

I did notice one odd thing, the RPMs increase (50-75rpm) whenever I turn the steering wheel while parked. This may be normal behavior for Camrys ( I bought the car last week). Does your Camry do the same?

the power steering pump at work..

[new echo owner]

Interesting repair procedure, but glad to hear you got it fix.

The power steering idle up valve is doing its job for the rpm increase when turn the steering, so the engine won't get blogged down.

N.E.O.