Low idle on cold days

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cptnsolo77
Posts: 1645
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 4:05 am

Low idle on cold days

Post by cptnsolo77 »

As the subject states. We have gotten a cold spell here & I noticed the idle drops down to about 600 RPM & idles ROUGH. Its doesnt last too long when im at a stoplight. Sometimes I put the AC on to bump the idle up, then turn it off & it sometimes returns to normal. During warmer days no problems at all. It stays pretty warm here in FL so im sure the warm wheather masks the problem. I narrowed it down to the intake manifold gasket & I already priced it at the local Toyota dealer ( 6 bucks ). The MAF, PCV valve & throttle body is clean at 148K. Going to do it this weekend if all goes well.....however I dont get a CEL when the idle drops. I thought if a intake gasket was leaking it wouldnt it cause a lean condition & throw a CEL ? Just curious.
* 2003 Vibe Auto Satellite Silver w / Moons & Tunes
* Kenwood Excelon KDC-X597
* Polk DB651-Speakers
* Soundproofcow Roadblock R sound deadening in all doors
* Drop In K & N Filter
* NGK Iridium IX Plugs
* 27 MPG City/Highway with AC on
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Rayven01
Posts: 525
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2013 12:07 pm

Re: Low idle on cold days

Post by Rayven01 »

My guess is there's a threshold before the code is thrown and you haven't quite hit it yet. I've seen other people mention 500 RPM when their CEL lit up. It probably helps that the Florida definition of "cold" is a lot different than for most of the rest of us. ;) Definitely sounds like the gasket problem though.
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JohnO
Posts: 117
Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:47 am

Re: Low idle on cold days

Post by JohnO »

Could be the idle speed control valve is sticking and not letting the idle adjust properly. I'm planning to clean mine soon.

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cptnsolo77
Posts: 1645
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 4:05 am

Re: Low idle on cold days

Post by cptnsolo77 »

Thx guys, looks like i got my CEL today. P0171 , bank 1 system too lean. I think its time to replace that gasket now :D
* 2003 Vibe Auto Satellite Silver w / Moons & Tunes
* Kenwood Excelon KDC-X597
* Polk DB651-Speakers
* Soundproofcow Roadblock R sound deadening in all doors
* Drop In K & N Filter
* NGK Iridium IX Plugs
* 27 MPG City/Highway with AC on
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