Hi all,

I was gone for 3 weeks on vacation. Just got back yesterday. Left the car in the garage while I was gone. Went to the local grocery store today and noticed that when the car is in neutral it idles from 1k to 2.2k constanly up and down. It didn't do that before the trip. The only thing I can think of is the cpu is trying to remap itself because the car hasn't been on for a while or my mass air sensor is on the blitz. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

Its time to take a trip to the dealer

 

We have no MAF (mas airflow sensor); we use he MAP and IAT for load calculation.

But in regards to your problem, I would suspect the IAC (Idle Air Control) valve. They can get stuck or clogged with crud and cause the very same symtoms. It would be easy to determine if hooked up to a scan tool though...

 

Thanks Scalbert,

Will be going to the dealer tomorrow to have an oil change and see if it is the idle air control valve. I wish this happened 800 miles ago because it would still be covered under warranty. Oh well, I still enjoy the car even after 50,800 miles. I'll post what the prob is for future reference. Thanks.

 

There is an Idle Air Control valve.....

 

Yep, integrated into the throttle body...

 

sounds like a busted throttle position sensor to me. Mine went out 2 weeks ago.

 

Hi all,

Yep that was the prob - the idle air control valve went bad. It also caused an error code for the map sensor. Luckly, the map sensor was fine once they replaced the air control valve. The cost of the repair was like $220. $98 for the valve and $120 for the labor! Seems to happen alot to our cars when left for a few weeks unused because just as I was leaving a woman with a 2001 who left her car at her house for 5 weeks due to a broken foot had the same problem. Thanks to all for the info.

 

They should have fixed it for free, you were only 800 miles over your warranty... this is a common problem with our cars....