High idle at startup? Help!!!

[Superdude87]

Hey. I just recently acquired a NICE 2003 Protege5. Everything works perfect, cleaner than h3ll under the hood, immaculate in and out. Great car, I love driving it!!

Only problem I'm having is that recently when I start the car, it idles really high until it's been driven for about 5 minutes. The longer the car sits (ie: overnight) the higher the idle and the longer it takes to return to normal.

First thing in the morning I'll start it up and the idle has been as high as 2000, and then about 5-10 seconds later it'll drop to 1500. It'll stay there for about half a minute, and eventually (after 1-2 minutes) stay at a steady 1100-1200, which is still pretty high. My car idles perfect at around 800-900. This is really annoying, and makes it harder to back out of my drive and get it into first without killing it. This didn't start happening until after I put my system in. I wouldn't say it happened RIGHT after the system was installed, but I don't remember it doing it prior to that.

Any ideas? Similar problems? Any input would be great! Thank you!

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

The high idle is normal, and as long as you slip the clutch correctly leaving the driveway you should have no problems. The high idle is so that the engine can get to operating temp faster...it's nothing to worry about.

 

[digitalricepape]

Yep totally normal. The car does warm up quicker this way, and the only downside to this imo is how loud it is at the first start-up in the mornings

 

[Superdude87]

Oh ok cool. Maybe it's been doing it all along and just now noticed it. I actually searched after making this thread and read that this is normal. The idle isn't ridiculous, it usually steadies out around 1500 and drops to 1000, and within a few minutes of driving it's in normal range.

The dude I bought it from is really cool, I might call him just to double check it was doing the same thing to him. Thanks for the help you guys!

 

[Celco]

my 02 does this as well. It seems pretty normal. I just need to fix my belt sequel on cold start ups.

 

[kpacker51]

My 02 does the same thing also.

 

[RABID_MP5]

Yeah normal and not a problem, except maybe starting out on an icy road, etc. (and doesn't do you any favors at $4/gal)

 

[NISMOrob]

My 03 has started to do this, plus the idle plunges to under 500rpms when I stop with the a/c or the fan on. I dont remember the car idling this high before. Most cars idle at @ 1500 just after start up.

Anyone have any ideas about the plunging idle issue?