Idle Problems

[Jon Healy]

Hi All

I'm not sure if this has been covered in any other forum but I'll ask the question anyway. I've only had my IS2.2 SE (06 plate) for 2 months and last week I took it back to the dealer with a few problems to fix. Needless to say I wasn't too sure if they were just giving me a fob off and telling me everything was normal just to get me out of the dealership. My problem is, my engine idles high, around 1,200 rpm. I gathered as much info for the dealer but they just told me it was normal. I've listed the conditions below. If anybody knows what's wrong please help.

1. At start up the engine idles at 1,200 rpm outside temp 15c

2. When driving for 10 minutes and the engine is at operating temp it still idles at 1,200 rpm

3. At speed I put the car into neutral and it idles at 800 rpm but when I stop at traffic lights (slowing down in neutral) and come to a stop, within 2 seconds the engine returns to 1,200 rpm

4. All Air con, radio etc.... are turned off so no extra demand on the engine.

Please help, I have no idea why this should be acing this way and I'm sure it doesn't help the mpg.

[Burnley]

I've had my IS220D for about 4 weeks now, its 18 months old. I 've noticed mine is exactly the same but figured out that it is related to the engine water temp. It takes a while for the temp to get up to normal operating level and on A/B roads from a cold start I've found it takes upwards of ten miles to get up to temp. Once up to temp it seems to idle ok at around 800 to 900 rpm. I'm due a service in 1500 miles so I'll be taking it in early and I'll mention it to the dealer.

[dgman]

emission control system,nothing to worry about.

[Colin ck]

Hi! I've had my 2009 (09) 220d SE-L since early March 2012 which has the same problem. You say it's the emissions control system but there is no reason for the revs to be that high when the heater is on it's lowest setting.

If the ambient temperature is near freezing, the engine is cold and the heater is on full blast I could understand it. Even when I first start my car up on a cool morning the engine revs are only 800rpm, that's when the idle speed should be 1200rpm. Only when the engine temperature is normal and the heater cuts in, on auto, does the rpm rise to 1200.

This is back to front and it does affect the economy which is obviously bad for the environment.

It's all very well that the service centers says that's it's normal but I'm afraid it's not logical. I have tried to reason using ambient, cab, coolant & oil temperatures, high current draw on the Battery, engine vibration but I am at a loss for a good explanation except incorrect programming.

I've been in the motor industry since 1965 starting off as an apprentice mechanic and things have obviously changed for the better but this fast idle seems a backward step to me.

I will stand corrected if a logical reason is given! But nobody, as yet, has given one.

Colin

[Colin ck]

I just realised this morning why my revs are only 800 when I first start up from cold. It must be to protect the turbo until lubricated. That is one mystery solved, I think. But I'm still concerned about the above.

[BamBam!]

Hello

I realise this is an old topic but i have just bought my 09plate IS220D and its really annoying when its idleing at 1200rpm constantly on short journeys which Monday to Friday is 95% of the time.

Is there nothing i can do???

[surfer06]

I too have the same problem. Read somewhere on this forum it's related to the heater/ fan and if you turn it off revs drop to around 800. Tried this and it works, turn the fan back on whilst idling and goes back up to around 1200! Strange! If I am stopped in traffic for more than a minute or so I turn the fan off. Still a nice car to own.

[BamBam!]

I too have the same problem. Read somewhere on this forum it's related to the heater/ fan and if you turn it off revs drop to around 800. Tried this and it works, turn the fan back on whilst idling and goes back up to around 1200! Strange! If I am stopped in traffic for more than a minute or so I turn the fan off. Still a nice car to own.

yep that works??? thanks..like a totally different car.

once its up to a decent temp i turned it down to 16deg and it idles at 800rpm, weird ???

thanks for the advise