ES300 Problem: Very Low Idle/Stall at Start-up
06-07-07, 09:49 PM
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ES300 Problem: Very Low Idle/Stall at Start-up
Hello. I have a 1999 ES 300 with 103k miles on it. I have a strange problem at start-up and am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what it might be:
When the car has been sitting for long periods of time (overnight or during the day at work), it usually starts up fine.
However, usually if I drive somewhere and then start it back up within a short period (less than 30 min), the engine starts and then BARELY idles (like it's about to quit).
If I rev the engine up or hold the gas pedal down for awhile to get the engine RPMs up while it's in park or neutral, and then take my foot off the gas pedal, the RPM falls right back to 250 or so (just barely running). Sometimes it even stalls out.
HOWEVER, if I put the car in gear (reverse or drive), and then give it some gas, it quickly gets "un-stuck" from the low idle and then starts idling at the normal 750 RPM or so. This only works when the car is IN GEAR, however. Leaving it in park or neutral and revving the engine up for any length of time won't get the engine "un-stuck" from the low idle.
The car then runs fine again until I shut it down and then try to re-start it, at which point the cycle continues.
Has anyone had this problem or have a guess as to what is causing it?
Does this sound ignition-related?
Or does the fact that I can only get the idle level back to normal by putting the car IN GEAR and gunning the pedal suggest something transmission related? Also, any idea on why it usually only does this after a short trip and not when the car has been sitting for a while?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
When the car has been sitting for long periods of time (overnight or during the day at work), it usually starts up fine.
However, usually if I drive somewhere and then start it back up within a short period (less than 30 min), the engine starts and then BARELY idles (like it's about to quit).
If I rev the engine up or hold the gas pedal down for awhile to get the engine RPMs up while it's in park or neutral, and then take my foot off the gas pedal, the RPM falls right back to 250 or so (just barely running). Sometimes it even stalls out.
HOWEVER, if I put the car in gear (reverse or drive), and then give it some gas, it quickly gets "un-stuck" from the low idle and then starts idling at the normal 750 RPM or so. This only works when the car is IN GEAR, however. Leaving it in park or neutral and revving the engine up for any length of time won't get the engine "un-stuck" from the low idle.
The car then runs fine again until I shut it down and then try to re-start it, at which point the cycle continues.
Has anyone had this problem or have a guess as to what is causing it?
Does this sound ignition-related?
Or does the fact that I can only get the idle level back to normal by putting the car IN GEAR and gunning the pedal suggest something transmission related? Also, any idea on why it usually only does this after a short trip and not when the car has been sitting for a while?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
06-08-07, 10:30 AM
#2
Run the screw on the throttle plate<s> up some so it holds the throttle plate<s> a tiny bit more open. Just keep careful track of how much you spin the screw<s>. They are quite sensative to adjustment. I would do it with the engine running...
Check for vacuum leaks, clean the MAF.
Check for vacuum leaks, clean the MAF.
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