3000RPM idle speed

[rusto]

Hey Guys,

I've got a 2000 Ford Explorer XLS. I was driving today up a bumpy dirt road (not in 4x4). When I realized I hadn't accelerated in a while, I put the car in park and the idle speed was sitting around 3,000 RPM. Turned the car off, checked the throttle cable was returning correctly and it was. Restarted the car and it was still idling at 2800 -3000RPM.

I disconnected the battery, which when you restart the car re-calibrated the idle speed to the correct RPM range. On the way down the hill it happened a couple of more times, instead this time I turned the car off, and restarted a minute or two later which changed the idle speed to correct position again.

It seems to be happening when the road got fairly bumpy, so I'm thinking it could be a loose connection or similar, but I have no idea what would cause this?

Any help would be much appreciated

Shane

 

[dogfriend]

Look for something loose in the air intake between the MAF and the intake manifold. Also look at any vacuum lines on the manifold. You probably have an unmetered air leak from whatever shook loose.

 

[1AJeremyD]

Sounds like you could have broken something plastic like the manifold or one of the rubber lines finally had it.

 

[rusto]

Silly question, but is the manifold the part where the throttle cable connects too?

 

[rusto]

Also forgot to mention that the check engine light is on with an "EGR low flow" code. I haven't fixed this yet, could this be related?

 

[2000StreetRod]

check the TPS

I suggest that you test the TPS since cycling engine electrical power seams to reset the idle.
TPS Test Procedure

 

[alohamonte]

is your throttle body butterfly stuck open?

Throttle Position Sensor, Idle Air Controller, and Mass Air Flow sensor all contribute to idle problems and should be checked out.

 

[rusto]

Throttle body butterfly is closing correctly. We I returned to the highway, the problem doesn't exist, it runs and idles like normal, thats why I'm think it may be a loose connection, as it only happened when the road got quite bumpy/potholey.

 

[rusto]

I will test the TPS and see if that helps

 

[1AJeremyD]

If it doesn't happen on the highway it is definitely a vacuum leak because some place

 

[rusto]

Ok, is there anyway to test that easily? i wouldn't know where to start?

 

[rusto]

Could this be related to the ERG valve or sensor?

 

[dogfriend]

The intake manifold is where the air enters the engine. The throttle cable is connected at the throttle body. The intake manifold is the part that the throttle body is attached to on top of the engine. Any air (aka vacuum) leaks between the MAF sensor and the engine could cause your problem including a leaking or malfunctioning EGR, so you should check the EGR problem out.