High idling

Tiny
IREMONGER13
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 SATURN SC1
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 118,000 MILES
My car accelerates by itself and when put into park or neutral the RPMs raise.
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Monday, May 24th, 2010 AT 3:35 AM

16 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
How high does the idle go? I would check the short hose that goes from the intake manifold to valve cover for collapsing or holes. I would also get a can of carburetor spray let the car idle and spray around the hoses and where the intake manifold meets the head especially around the power steering pump area. If the rpm's go up down or the engine stumbles or shuts off you have a leak there. Also, do you have any codes?Let me know.
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Monday, May 24th, 2010 AT 11:58 AM
Tiny
IREMONGER13
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  • 4 POSTS
It varies, over 3,000! Took it to a car expert for the leaks and got nothing. Recently it has not been idling high in park or neutral like it did, but now I have to baby it on start up and it stills takes off when in gear. It gets past second by itself. Codes?
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Friday, October 1st, 2010 AT 11:38 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Yes code's. If you go to a auto part's store like AutoZone they will scan your car for trouble code's post what the code number's are. They are code's that the computer sets to guide to repairing the car's. Most common reason for that high of idle is a vacuum leak or a stuck idle air control valve. Most common is a vacuum leak. With your engine look at the hose that goes from your intake manifold to your PCV for hole's or collapsing. Really common for that to happen on your car. Also, the intake gasket's leak all the time on the number one or two cylinder right where the intake gasket meet's the head. You can even see the gasket all wrinkled up the number one cylinder is by the power steering pump.
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Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 AT 12:09 AM
Tiny
JAMESONEY
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  • 7 POSTS
Hi, I have the same problem. I changed the PCV, EGR, ECT, IAC, and spark plugs. But I still have a high Idle. It idles around 3,000 rpm's. Checked for vacuum leaks, did not see any. Help!
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Saturday, October 13th, 2012 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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You have the same make, model, year etc?
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Sunday, October 14th, 2012 AT 1:06 AM
Tiny
JAMESONEY
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  • 7 POSTS
Sorry about that. It is 2001 Saturn sc1.
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Sunday, October 14th, 2012 AT 1:24 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Cover the throttle body with a flat piece of card board if the engine still idles real high and does not shut off you have a vacuum leak.
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Sunday, October 14th, 2012 AT 3:18 AM
Tiny
JAMESONEY
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  • 7 POSTS
Please forgive my ignorance, will I remove the hose that is connected to the air filter and cover the throttle body?
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Sunday, October 14th, 2012 AT 3:33 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Yes, remove the air filter snorkel tube then cover the throttle body opening.
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Sunday, October 14th, 2012 AT 3:42 AM
Tiny
JAMESONEY
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  • 7 POSTS
Thanks, I greatly appreciate your help. I will try tomorrow, and give an update.
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Sunday, October 14th, 2012 AT 3:45 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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You are welcome keep me posted.
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Sunday, October 14th, 2012 AT 3:55 AM
Tiny
JAMESONEY
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  • 7 POSTS
Well, the car did not shut off and the idle dropped a little but still was high. So, vacuum leak it is. However, I cannot seem to find the vacuum leak. Any suggestions?
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Monday, October 15th, 2012 AT 12:37 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Have you checked the the PCV hose from the intake manifold to the PCV for holes clasping etc? That is the most common place on that car for vacuum leaks? You could also put the intake tube back on and get some carburetor spray and let it idle and spray the carburetor spray around looking for a change in rpm's. It should not be hard to find idling that high.
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Monday, October 15th, 2012 AT 5:00 PM
Tiny
JORDAN MYRICK TURNER
  • MEMBER
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I have a 1997 Saturn SL1 very high idle. It will go by itself over second year idles at about 3,000 rpm's. I am wondering what should I do before going and just buying the air intake valve? Please help.
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Saturday, June 9th, 2018 AT 4:40 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
Try the valve first and if that does not fix it I have seen the PCM cause this issue. Here are two guides and diagrams below to help you get the problem fixed.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-idles-too-high

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-idle-speed-control-motor-iac

Here is the locations for your car (below). Please run down these guides and diagrams and report back

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, June 11th, 2018 AT 12:48 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I would suspect the short vacuum line from the PCV to the intake manifold they collapse and also get weak and get holes in them. It is really common on those cars.
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Tuesday, June 12th, 2018 AT 8:14 AM

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