Engine idles way too fast now

GIL WOOLLEY

MEMBER
1998 SATURN SL2
67,250 MILES

1998 Saturn SL2 Auto transmission. Suddenly idles too fast right after I changed the battery. Is there a connector I might have knocked loose? In drive, the idle causes the car to go 20-21 mph and idle rpm is about 1900. In gear stopped, the idle initially is high but drops to 900-950 rpm. No check engine light. My wife normally drives the car. She reports she is now afraid she will wear out the brakes. I just drove it to confirm the above numbers.

I don't have a code reader. I can take it to a good shop tomorrow but they are closed today for the holiday.

5 Replies

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

Check and clean the IAC. Check to see if there is a high idle solenoid that might be stuck.

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Monday, January 2nd, 2012 AT 10:54 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Just to add to this one if the idle started high after the battery change try this. Unhook the battery for 1 min then hook it back up see if the idle returns to normal.I have had that happen to me many times. Let me know if it does the trick.

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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 3:19 AM

GIL WOOLLEY

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Saturntech9. BINGO! You and my Grandson made the same recommendation and that recommendation worked.
I did disconnect the battery again, waited a couple of minutes and reconnected it. The idle has stopped misbehaving.
I guess that autoshop teacher at his high school or one of his buddies has taught him something.
Thank you and I am very happy to know that my grandson is really learning something practical and useful. And I am very glad to have an expert tell me that this works.

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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 AT 6:41 AM

SATURNTECH9