My 2003 Proteg5 A/T with 7k miles has a few issues. First of all, it doesn't always start the way I expect it to. It doesn't matter if it's warm or cold, but it happens more when it's warm. It cranks normally (which seems really slow compared to other cars I've driven, but it's always been like that) and sort of catches, but doesn't rev up. It sticks around 3-400 RPM and stutters unless I hold the key for a few more seconds or step on the gas at which point it revs up normally to ~1500 RPM and settles back down to ~750. This doesn't happen all the time, but I am of the opinion that it should never do this. The other day it started fine, but the RPMs dropped way past 750 and it nearly stalled, though I stepped on the gas and it stumbled a bit and then recovered to idle at around 950 (it hadn't been driven for a few hours, so it was a little cold).
I also notice that the first several times I come to a stop after it's warmed up following a cold start it idles at around 600-650 RPM instead of the usual 700 in Drive. After I've made several stops it is back to idling at 700. If I turn on the A/C at any time, the idle used to slowly ramp up to 800. Now, it drops to 650 and vibrates a bit then will eventually make it up to ~775 RPM.
Am I being paranoid or is something wrong here? I've had it to the dealer once about the starting problem, but they said they couldn't reproduce it. I would like to be able to take it back and suggest something specific that they check. I know the 3 had some early fuel pump issues that sound an awful lot like what's happening to me. And I've also heard about clogged EGR valves causing some problems, but mine's only got 7k miles on it. It was built 11/02.
I also notice that the first several times I come to a stop after it's warmed up following a cold start it idles at around 600-650 RPM instead of the usual 700 in Drive. After I've made several stops it is back to idling at 700. If I turn on the A/C at any time, the idle used to slowly ramp up to 800. Now, it drops to 650 and vibrates a bit then will eventually make it up to ~775 RPM.
Am I being paranoid or is something wrong here? I've had it to the dealer once about the starting problem, but they said they couldn't reproduce it. I would like to be able to take it back and suggest something specific that they check. I know the 3 had some early fuel pump issues that sound an awful lot like what's happening to me. And I've also heard about clogged EGR valves causing some problems, but mine's only got 7k miles on it. It was built 11/02.
