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High Idle problem on my RA...?

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Old Nov 29, 2007 | 06:36 PM
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Default High Idle problem on my RA...?

Hey guys,

I've got a bit of a problem with my 96 Version 3 Type RA. I've just had an 85 000km's service and they couldn't find anything wrong.

When I start it always idles at 2 000rpm, after letting it warm up it idles at 1 500 (which is probably a little high), but sometimes after its warm the revs go back up to 2 000 and when I change gears the revs seem to stay a bit high and drop really slowly...? If I change out of gear and release the clutch its still revving... then slowly comes down to 2 000. If I stop the car and turn it off its back to 1 500 again?

When they serviced it I told them about it and they checked for ECU errors, cleaned the throttle body, the idle control valve, checked the throttle cable etc...

I'd appreciate any advice... I thought about maybe getting an idler controller to sort it out. I've seen an HKS one for sale close by, so maybe that's the way to go...

Cheers.
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 10:21 AM
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Could this be due to my MAF sensor getting oil on it after I fitted a HKS pod filter? I fitted one for a day and the car ran rough and kept hesitating so only drove it about 40km's then re-fitted the factors air filter.

Thanks...
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 03:28 PM
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This is most likely to be an air leak in the inlet system, after the throttle body. I'd check the inlet manifold for leaks, e.g. the take offs for fuel pressure reg, boost control, dump valve etc.
It should idle at around 800 rpm. No need to get an idle controller, there's a fault with your current set up.
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 06:37 PM
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sounds like possible throttle position sensor or idle control valve,possbly remove them and clean them before purchasing some new ones,try that
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 09:45 PM
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If it's only started doing it since you fit the HKS, it would be worth checking you're pipework is on correctly and secure.
If it's been doing it a while, more likely the idle control vale, adjusting the setting 1mm anti clockwise will lower the idle, and let it return to idle faster!
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 09:53 PM
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Thanks allot for the replies. Appreciate it. Hopefully I can sort it out this wkend. Its really annoying and rather strange that it only does it sometimes...
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Old Dec 1, 2007 | 05:48 AM
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damn exactly the same problem but have done all what evryone has suggest and still no avail. have also brought it to a subaru dealer for a ecu scan n no fault were found
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Old Dec 1, 2007 | 07:15 AM
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Sc0oby, its really annoying hey! Great looking car by the way! You have quite a few more mods than me, my car is completely standard apart from a 3.5" HKS Exhaust. If you manage to figure the problem out, please let me know what it was and I'll do the same.

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Old Dec 1, 2007 | 09:00 AM
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Hi.

Try adjusting your idle air control valve till you have an idle of 1000rpm when warm.

I've also noticed on my car if it's in gear and I brake till the revs are below idle revs (1100rpm in my case), when I put the car in neutral, it will rev higher like at 1500rpm for a while. I guess it sees revs dropping lower than the set value and tries to compensate.
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Old Dec 3, 2007 | 08:13 AM
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i have already replace a new iAC valve and still no avail and also running a power fc to compensate for the drop. damn annoying problem
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Old Dec 4, 2007 | 06:33 AM
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saiklon, thanks allot mate! That was the exact problem... I didn't really want to play around with the IAC and after taking my car into a specialist 4 times since my service last week it finally revved high! It was really strange how it would come and go...

Anyway, they checked a whole lot of hoses by clamping them to cut off the flow (to test for leaks) and that didn't solve it. The computer monitor thing (not sure what its called, a data logger I guess) showed everything was fine. The mechanic then adjusted the control valve and it now idles around 700 - 800 rpm! Great! For those who don't know how to adjust the Idle Control Valve, just loosen the screws and slide it up for higher revs and down for lower revs. (see the pic below)

This is with a whole new speedo (dash) as my last one showed the revs being 700 rpm over what they actually were. The previous owner added white STI dials and didn't set the revs correctly, anyway that's gone in to be repaired/reset, so I have a 240km/hr speedo for now, ha ha...

Thanks allot everyone for the help, really appreciate it!






Idle Control Valve (sorry about the rough arrows, but I don't have photoshop on my work PC, )


Last edited by scooby-wrx; Dec 4, 2007 at 06:37 AM.
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Old Dec 4, 2007 | 12:41 PM
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have adjusted mine but still no avail before i replace a new iac valve
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Old Dec 4, 2007 | 05:42 PM
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Sorry to hear that Sc0oby, maybe try clamping the as many hoses as you can closed (vacuume hoses) while the car's running (just use pliers) and see if the revs drop. If they do you know the hose you clamped has a leak...

I've only driven about 50km's since the change, so I hopt my problem is sorted... I'll know after today.

Good luck mate.
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Old Dec 6, 2007 | 04:47 AM
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Ahh... !

Just when I thought the problem was sorted! The car went well for two days then started playing up again, so I dropped it off at my regular tuner last night and he drove it home and all day today and it ran perfectly...!

Anyway, he replaced the Idle Control Valve and though that was it. Well, not even 5 mins after picking it up today, same problem... Revs went up and seemed to stick, so I went straight back (as I got a pretty serious bill) and after 15 mins of playing around he finally figured it out! ...

Its a leaking/worn gasket between the manifold and the engine block! He determined this by spraying water where the manifold joins onto the block. When he did this, the revs dropped, then went back up... I told him I know of other people with the same problem who've done the same and he said to check the manifold/block gasket or the injector seals.

At least there's one good outcome, I can now get my manifold re-painted as the red paint has been pealing off...

I hope this helps some of you with the same problem! I'll let you all know how it goes once the gasket is replaced, its booked in for Monday.
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Old Dec 6, 2007 | 01:00 PM
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Ahem, post #3.
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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 07:00 AM
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Got my car back today after having the new gasket fitted and the manifold re-painted. It looks much better and so far so good, no high revving... Fingers crossed!


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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 10:23 AM
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How easy a job is the manifold gasket change?
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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 01:10 PM
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scoobywrx: any update? if you dont have nay more problem i might try using your ideas
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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 08:59 PM
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can u adjust the Idle Control Valve on a 2000w clasic mine is doing the same
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Old Dec 10, 2007 | 11:26 PM
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M... Maybe I should wait a while before posting updates...! I drove 40km's yesterday and it was perfectly fine. Started it this morning and drove another 40km's to work and after about 30km's, high idling again... It now sits at 1300 rpm...

I'll be going straight back to the garage after work today as these parts and bills are all adding up now... Back to square one...

I'll keep updating my progress to help other out.

phil_1773, you definatly adjust the idle control valve on yours. I'm not sure of where it is though. Maybe post an engine pic and someone can point it out. Here's a thread from the states that may help: Cleaning And Reattaching The IACV (Idle Air Control Valve) - Service & Maintenance - NASIOC
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Old Dec 11, 2007 | 07:27 PM
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thanks mate
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Old Dec 11, 2007 | 07:29 PM
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anyone got any pics of idle control valve adjustment on a 2000w clasic think mine needs adjusting
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Old Dec 11, 2007 | 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by phil_1773
anyone got any pics of idle control valve adjustment on a 2000w clasic think mine needs adjusting
seckond that
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Old Dec 12, 2007 | 01:04 PM
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Scoobywrx: np mate am still trying to figure also a solution on the problem
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Old Dec 12, 2007 | 07:02 PM
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ok keep us updated thanks
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Old Dec 19, 2007 | 01:17 PM
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any update guys?
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 03:05 AM
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Sorry guys, been meaning to update this thread. My car's been running perfectly this week since I got a new Throttle Position Sensor. This is between the Intercooler and the Idle Control Valve, it black and has electrical cables connected.

Hope this helps some of you with the same problem.
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Old Dec 22, 2007 | 12:19 PM
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any help for the 2000 clasic
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Old Dec 23, 2007 | 03:08 PM
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scooby-wrx: any more problem after you change you TPS?
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Old Dec 23, 2007 | 10:15 PM
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Hey ScOoby, my car's been running perfectly since the new TPS (thank goodness, I was starting to get rather annoyed!). I think they're fairly pricey, so I'd say just get a used one first to see if that is the problem, then you can get a new one if you want... Good luck mate, hope that sorts it.
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