Fat Idle too Fast, 3kRPM's

Feb 11, 2004 3 Replies

My GF's 1998 Saturn SW1 needs the fast idle adjusted, when cold, it revs up to as high as 3,000 RPM'S Way too high. After about 30-45 seconds of warm up, It slows down to a normal 800 RPM or so. Are there any specific steps I need to know? if not, where would I find the adjustment screw? I want to make sure I do this by the book. It has 50,000 Miles and the only maintenance I know of is the serpentine belt change. So IM assuming the plugs and other tune-up items haven't been changed



Ill be doing a tune up on it in the next few weeks. Plugs & Wire set Rotor (assuming it's NOT distributor-less) Gas filter Air Filter Radiator Flush Transmission/Transaxle flush (Or is this FWD tranny sealed? requiring no maintenance?) Any other maint. tips?



sorry, this car is new to me... lol :) Any help is greatly appreciated!!


No real adjustment, there's a funky proceedure to do it. remember, like lots of recent cars - idle is computer controlled. Either the computer WANTS it high, or the idle air control won't close enough to drop it.

Look for:

Vacuum leaks. Messed up IAC (clean the trottle body, and remove and clean the IAC and it's crevice). Bad sensor.

The temp sensors are possible suspects here - $10 - 15 at any decent auto parts place.

Good.

Rotor? What's a rotor? :) It's typical 80's / 90's GM distibutorless fun...

Good.

Good.

Fun! :)

Oh no, it's not sealed. I think the filter's a spin on type.

Umm, oil and filter? :)

Oh yeah, check the typical fluids, brake fluid, power steering fluid, blinker fluid ;)

Have fun!

fantastic! I love NG's If Im not mistaken, I think the first car to go distributorless was the GM, Buick Regal......Cool...... 80--something...

a transaxle with a fluid filter? whoa... woo-hoo----anyway, im still stuck in the 80's (excuse me while I turn down my Metalica disc, Vinyl that is ;)

Ill try these out as you suggested.

ummmm, would that be DOT 3 blinker fluid? lol :)))

THANKS!! Dave

Actually, IMHO, it can't hurt to change the stuff out. I don't really trust that 'sealed for life' stuff anyway...

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