Stroock639

so i drove back to UMass last night, temps in NY were an already 'nippy' 14 degrees at like 10:30 pm, by the time i got back it was like -6 (fahrenheit) and i noticed that the engine was idling higher than usual. it was already warmed up (just drove for 2.5 hours) but it was idling at like 1200 in neutral. it was weird, slowing down from driving speeds it'd just coast down normally, but once it reached like 30 mph the throttle opening suddenly increased and it was almost like auto cruise control. everything was working fine, no CEL or anything, it was just weird to feel. and it definitely isn't an overtightened throttle cable or anything.

Stereorob

no worries. these cars always idle higher at startup on cold days

Stereorob

oh wait. read that wrong. maybe your car thought it was cold cause of the temp so it was trying to warm itself up idk

Stroock639

the coolant gauge was all the way at operating temperature, as far as the car knows it was warmed up

sndlight

I can't provide much help however the instrument panel temp gauge is hooked to a different temp sensor than the sensor the ECU sees.

Yamae

Check the actual voltage at the ECT sensor.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

i also suspect the ECT sensor. the air idle control valve is next in line if the ECT isn't it.

Yamae

There isn't any air idle control valve for a 98-00 VVT engine. The throttle valve controls everything all the way from low to high end driven by the ECU.

Stroock639

i'll have to drive the car again, this was also the first time i can remember in awhile that it's been this cold. apart from the higher idle there was nothing else wrong, and the MPG seemed to be at normal levels. cruising at 70 it was still getting just about 30 MPG, and if it "thought the coolant was cold" the MPGs would be worse, like lower 20s. tomorrow is gonna be warmer so i'll see what happens when i next use it.

Yamae

Your good gas mileage reminded me of my old problem. I once had a bit higher idle and the improved gas mileage caused by the cracked PCV hose. This caused the non-filtered / non-measured air coming into cylinders since it was after the throttle valve. You'd better to check different vacuum hoses connected to the intake manifold.

Stroock639

it was a more reasonable 40 degf today and i didn't have the 'problem'

i think it was just because it was so cold. my PCV should be fine, the hose did actually break off when i recently removed the intake pipe but i've since glued it back on (it held) and put silicon sealant around that for some added insurance.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

OOPS that's right, my oversight, thanks yamae for the correction