Idle issues - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

87Camry5Speed · 03-25-2004, 07:56 AM

Ok, winter is over for the most part now but I noticed my car, when cold, seemed to idle awfully high when it was real cold out. I mean, idle speeds of 1700-2200 rpm weren't uncommon, this was with the car sitting in Neutral... Also, when it's warm, it idles fine (650-800 rpm), but the car shakes a little and the idle will drop to 500 on occasion with more shaking (like it's contemplating stalling). It's funny, when this happens at night you can see the headlights shaking

I plan to clean out the throttle body when I do the tune-up, should I look at the IAC too? The car runs great otherwise but when the car is sitting at a light and feels like it wants to cut out... that annoys me.

Steve

Nico · 03-25-2004, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 87Camry5Speed
I plan to clean out the throttle body when I do the tune-up, should I look at the IAC too? Steve

That's the first thing I would have a look at. You might also have a look at the TPS (throttle position sensor). Best thing would be to test them with a voltmeter.
If they are ok I would consider making a compression test.

Erbe · 03-25-2004, 10:57 AM

your car should idle a liitle higher when its colder out....and vice-versa when its hot...it usually depends on the temperature of the engine

89SV21 · 03-25-2004, 11:15 AM

My car does exactly the same thing even when its not cold outside. My idle is usually 750-600 rpm and then sometimes at stoplights it drops down to 500 and the engine feels like its gonna stall. The annoying thing is that the problem is intermittent. I cleaned out the TB and it didn't seem to improve idle quality. Is this a common gen2 problem?

Nico · 03-25-2004, 11:49 AM

that also often happens on many gen3 as well

Erbe · 03-25-2004, 11:51 AM

^^^^yeh...it happened to me and looked like the engine was gonna stall....it has to do with engine temp guys...no biggie

cspeck626 · 03-27-2004, 01:23 AM

Ive been having bad experiences with IAC valve too. My toyota dealership and my mechanic told me, that it is a common problem for GEN 4 Camrys because our Idle Air Control Valve (IAC), uses two metal magnet plates that slide open and close when the car starts. When there is too much carbon build up in the IAC valve especially when the car is not on, it can cause it to not start unless you press on the gas pedal a couple of times to open up the plates so that air can go thru. Best bet is to clean out the IAC valve or if that does not work buy a new one like i did. The new one i have hasnt gone wrong with me yet. "knock on wood" but good luck bub!

87Camry5Speed · 03-27-2004, 09:47 AM

big_p31 I know the cold, or fast, idle should be higher; it's just that on a very cold engine, where oil may not have fully circulated yet, 2200 rpm idles seem excessive. Granted, it's warmer now, and the car is idling at like 1600 before it comes down to its warm idle but that was a huge point of concern to me on an old motor (have 125k on it now)

I'm glad to see the vibrating isn't just my problem, but I'm surprised it happens on the later cars... guess I can live with it

Steve