When you start the car it idle's at 2200 rpm for 30 seconds then jumps to 2800. After a minute or so the idle comes down to 1100 and stays there for a few minutes. During this time the thermostat gauge rises to "H". After about 5 minutes of running the car drops idle to around 400 rpm or so and the motor just spits sputters and won't run at all. I put a new IACV and a thermostat on it but none of that helped matters. The thermostat is opening and water is circulating. Any help is greatly appreciatted. I'd like to try and fix the problem myself instead of paying insane labor costs at a shop. Thanks

 

Man you got a long ways to go.

I would check the TPS sensor, temperature sensor and the Idle control valve. You should purchase the Haynes manual for the car from any parts store and use a multi meter to test those sensor.

I know the temp sensor is around 10 to 20 $$$, you should easily be able to replace that. You might need to buy a special socket depending on your car which shouldn't be more than $10.

Check the condition of the Air filter.
You can try replacing the spark plugs if your car hasn't be tuned up for a while. ( Very slim chance that this is causing it)

Look for leaks by inspecting for cracks on the intake pipe. Use Duck tape to cover all cracks.

Provide more details as to what maintaince you have performed on the car so far.

 

I just bought the car. It was doing this when I purchased it. I have put a new intake gasket on it. Thats all the work I have done to it.

 

Coolant full and the block burped thru the 12mm bleed screw at the T-stat housing?

You might need to adjust down the FITV, when you take the top off of it, you SHOULD NOT hear air bypassing when the engine is warmed up.

When you unplug the IACV the idle should drop about 200 RPM.

There are tests in the service manual for checking sensors and that might save you some money, instead of just randomly throwing part$ at the problem.

There should be a little slack in the throttle cable.

 

Thanks. I found my problem earlier today. It was the FITV. The white plastic donut ring inside of it was completely loose. I tightened it down and the idle problem has dissappeared. When the car warms up now it wants to idle around 400 rpm or less but it runs great under acceleration. The thermostat gauge is still all the way past the "H" but I know the water is circulating through the motor as it should. I'm going to do a tune-up on it this weekend and see if that clears up the low idle. Thanks for your help.