MX-3.com

93 b6me 5spd. idles at 2600 when cold, then it settles in after it's nice and warm. why is it so high, and how can I bring it down?

I know that cold idle's are supposed to be high; though mine normally doesn't sit at 2.6k cold either.

Also... It used to be that older engines (pre-injection engines) used to idle high or rough when it was cold because the lack of any sort of fuel management and the differences in the AFR. However, with newer cars, or cars that have injection and use fuel management systems, they idle high on start in the cold to help with emissions. Cold cats don't do squat so most manufactures set it up so that on a cold start the car would idle high to warm up the cats.

A good question: how long does it stay in the 2.6k range? Also what is the temperature outside like?

the car knows what it's doing..l just leave it alone

h3xt0r wrote:I know that cold idle's are supposed to be high; though mine normally doesn't sit at 2.6k cold either.

Also... It used to be that older engines (pre-injection engines) used to idle high or rough when it was cold because the lack of any sort of fuel management and the differences in the AFR. However, with newer cars, or cars that have injection and use fuel management systems, they idle high on start in the cold to help with emissions. Cold cats don't do squat so most manufactures set it up so that on a cold start the car would idle high to warm up the cats.

A good question: how long does it stay in the 2.6k range? Also what is the temperature outside like?

ok, it starts at about 1500, then over the course of about 20 seconds or so it creeps up to 2600 and stays there for about a minute, minute and a half, then it creeps back down to 1500. it will stay around 1500 until it reaches operating temp, at which point it will settle in around 800 or so. it takes about 10 minutes driving to get it all the way to temp. (the gauge moves quite a bit faster than that, but that's how long until the idle settles completely.) done this all winter. I wasn't paying attention back in the summer, but I don't remember it getting that high.

Yea that sounds about right. My car on cold will jump up to 2k and relax there for a good 5min till it hit operating temps.OBD said it about right "The car knows what its doing". Haha.

RS_OBD'oh_2 wrote:the car knows what it's doing..l just leave it alone

Thank God or morons like you would be fu*ked.

Daninski wrote:

RS_OBD'oh_2 wrote:the car knows what it's doing..l just leave it alone

Thank God or morons like you would be fu*ked.

I'm not sure how to take that. It seems like your calling me a moron for telling this guy that his cold idle should not be messed with.

No, he's saying thank God cars know what they're doing, otherwise you'd be screwed when it came to cars.

But of course its a daninski-ism.

Ryan wrote:No, he's saying thank God cars know what they're doing, otherwise you'd be screwed when it came to cars.

But of course its a daninski-ism.

Thanks Ryan... that's what it seemed. I figured I've proven my abilities and helped out with Dan's buddies enough for him to know who he's talking to.

It appears that age is catching up to him. Next comes the shakes and extra handles in the shower.

And those awesome membrane seats that raise and lower you out of the water!

I believe this thread has officially been hijacked.

so it would seem.

so, pretty much I should just let the car do what it's doing and not worry too much about it then?

your car shouldn't idle over 2k on the coldest days of winter. i live in nova scotia canada and temperatures hit well below -0. mine starts at 1.5k revs and drops down gradually as the temp. gauge creeps up. i'd suggest check your fuses and change your plugs/wires. maybe someone messed with the idle before you got the car?

plugs and wires are new, which fuses did you have in mind?