Newbie Here - Idling Question

[crankfish]

I have a 2001 es300. Any ideas on what to check if the idle is very high? like 2k - 3k. it also will go up and down... like it will fluctuate back and forth from like 1.5k and 2.5k... just sit there and alternate back and forth. does this in park and neutral. i'm not sure what to check. i checked the easy things like coolant and oil levels. i don't know what else to check

any help is much appreciated.

[steviej]

I would assume that all regular maint. has been done.

start with the easy DIY things:

1. Is the high idle when the engine is warm or cold?

2. Is the air filter dirty or is the air box or air inlet clogged?

3. Check for any vacumm hoses that may have popped off.

4. Visually check all the air tube that goes from the air box to the

trottle body. Is is dried, cracked or have any tiny holes> Is is

securely attached to the air box and throttle body. (This is the

black acordian like hose about 3-4 inches in diameter).

5. How many miles on the car? (If the car has over 60k miles, have

the plugs been changed?)

More involved items include:

1. a dirty throttle body

2. a faulty idle air control valve or assembly

3. dirty fuel injectors

4. coolant temp sensor

1 and 3 can be somewhat taken care of by yourself in the driveway or on the next couple of fill ups at the pump.

Check out the top stuff and get back to us.

steviej

[SKperformance]

common problem of a idle control valve sticking with carbon . Usually it just keeps the car from starting and staying started when hot.