Low idle rpm problem on 2003 Toyota Camry: How I solved it

[twinklit]

I have a 2003 Camry 4 cyclinder with about 85k miles, for the past few months I've noticed that it has not been idling at 800-900 rpm with a hot engine, but instead it was idling around 500-600rpm. Not really knowing what was wrong, I went through the following process of elimination. I take no responsibility in my advice, I'm just telling my story and how I went about finding the solution. If you need help, consult a mechanic!
1. New Spark plugs - no change
2. Air filter and oil change - no changes
3. Coincidentally found my upper torque strut mount had a crack in the rubber so I replaced the torque strut mount and 2 lower motor mounts - no changes
4. Seafoamed the intake vacuum hose and gas tank - no changes
5. Checked oxygen sensors (the check engine light was not on)
6. FINALLY did some homework online and someone with a similar problem was suggested to clean out the sensor in the throttle body with carb cleaner - Problem solved!
Here is a verbal summary of how I did it:
1. Make sure the engine is cool because it is in an awkward area so you don't wanna get burned
2. Remove the top half the air filter box and disconnect the electrical and other rubber hoses so that the plastic/rubber intake manifold can come out easily
3. Disconnect the intake manifold, it's basically the non-metal tubing
4. In the throttle body assembly (the first metal component you will encounter after the intake manifold), you will see the "hinge door", swing it open and you will see a pencil erased sized hole toward the back end, use a flash light to help you see
5. I used the handle from a hair of needle nose pliers to hold the "hinge door" open while I pointed my straw from the carb cleaner at the pencil sized hole where I suspect the sensor is located and give it a few quick spurts of carb cleaner (caution! Make sure your straw is secure before spraying because you don't to lose your straw down the throttle assembly!)
6. Wipe dry with clean cloth and give it a few minutes to evaporate, replace everything and fire up the engine (it might take a few cranks to get the car to fire up). Warm up the engine and take it out for a spin to see if it has resolved your idle RPM problem

Hopefully this works for you, I just wish I didn't waste a bottle of seafoam prior to doing this because I'm sure some debris from the throttle body must have gone down there. I'll use seafoam next time I change my oil I suppose.

[dlach]

Just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to post your solution to low idle. I had the same problem with my '02. I know just enough to break something but I followed your instructions and problem solved. You saved me some bucks. Thanks so much. Now it's on to fixing P0446..

[Mosh603]

Thanks for the info.

[Tech1984]

I hope you're meaning "intake system cleaner" and not "carb clean".
Carb clean will remove the protective coating in the throttle body bore, and intake cleaner applies the needed protection.
Otherwise, good job!