Maximus1997SE

When my 97 SE is idling (at a stop light or even just turned on) it idles around 550 RPMs. I thought it used to be around 1000 RPMs but I have only owned the car for about a week so I don't remember. Anything else I should keep an eye on to keep max performance/reliablity?

Maximus1997SE

Chebosto

iTrader: (1)

idle ranges from 600-900

to adjust the idle, you can open up the intake valve screw
..

on the 4th gen, open the hood. next to the throttle body near the top of the engine (near the windsheild) there is a black phillip-head screw..

turn it clockwise to open the valve and to raise idle.. (i think)

there is detailed instructions in Steve's MaxFAQs..
(link at maximadriver.com, links)

Daniel B. Martin

550 rpm is too low.

Here is some text copied from the factory service manual.


"Idle Air Control Valve (IACV) -- Auxiliary Air Control (AAC) Valve

This system automatically controls engine idle speed to a specified level.
Idle speed is controlled through fine adjustment of the amount of air which
by-passes the throttle valve via the IACV-AAC valve. The IACV-AAC valve
changes the opening of the air by-pass passage to control the amount of
auxiliary air. ... "


You may make a quick test of your IACV-AAC in the following way. With the
motor at normal operating temperature, and at idle, switch the A/C from
"off" to "maximum". Keep your eye on the tachometer as you do this. The
idle speed should dip momentarily and then recover. If it does this, the
IACV-AAC is working. If the idle drops and does not recover, the engine
may stumble, falter, and stall. The IACV-AAC may require cleaning,
adjustment, or replacement.

The correct idle speed is...
- 700 +/- 50 (automatic transmission, in Neutral)
- 625 +/- 50 (5-speed)

There are other engine parts which play a role in maintaining the right idle
speed, but the IACV-AAC is the first thing to look at. Good luck!

redoctobyr

My '99 SE idles at about 1500 when it's cold (it's a 5-speed, if that matters. Certainly the engine speed at a light for an auto in Drive vs. a 5-speed in neutral or with clutch in will be very different), and about 1000 when it's warm, I think, though I just got it, so I could be wrong.

Ants97SE

Hmm... mine's a 97 5-speed and with the A/C off it idles at 500 rpms and with it on it idles at 750 rpms. Is that normal?

Daniel B. Martin

No.

The correct idle speed is...
- 700 +/- 50 (automatic transmission, in Neutral)
- 625 +/- 50 (5-speed)

Maximus1997SE

I tried running the A/C on maximum power (it is auto climate) and the RPMs went up a touch then down and steady at around ~650. When I turned the A/C off the RPMs went back down to 550 then SLOWLY crept down to 500 RPMs where it appeared to be steady. When I started the car it was 1500 RPMs then SLOWLY (1-2 mins?) dropped to around 1200 RPMs where I put the car into drive. The car isn't doing the "shimmy", it only did a SLIGHT and I mean SLIGHT shake for about 1 second. Any ideas what this may be? btw, thanks for all the replies I greatly appricate them

Maximus1997SE

Maximus1997SE

I forgot to mention this;

the problem started after I got an oil change at Pro-Lube(they were only ones in area who do Mobil-1 oil change) and they replaced my air filter. Could they have put the wrong filter in and this may be the cause for the RPM drop?

Maximus1997SE

Maximus1997SE

Forgot to mention one more thing

I believe they replaced my air filter with a:
Purolator A24278
anyway to see if this is the one for my car?

Maximus1997SE

Daniel B. Martin

This is the right filter for your car. The way to get this kind of information is to go to the Web site of any of the major auto parts vendors. I usually use www.partsamerica.com.

AndyXXL

Daniel,
So my car idles at exactly 700 in Neutral, but when I put into Drive RPMs drop to 500-600.
So you saying there might be a problem?

Daniel B. Martin

No.

The factory spec is 700 +/- 50 (automatic transmission, in Neutral). Your car is "spot on".