Car revs high when ignition is first turned on

DELR

MEMBER
2003 TOYOTA COROLLA
2WD
AUTOMATIC
110,000 MILES

When the ignition is turned on the car revs high. Once it revved so high the engine turned off instantly. Recently, after I had driven to a store, shopped and returned to the car, It seemed to start okay, but I realized right away as I tried to drive off that the engine was revving too high. If I tried to go over 30mph, it would rev really high. I drove home, slowly; turned off the ignition; waited a few minutes; turned the engine back on; drove around the block and it seemed normal again. This problem didn't start until I had a shop replace the starter in the car some months ago. Could they have left something loose or mal-adjusted? It seems as if the trottle is sticking. What do you think is going on? Is car safe to drive on freeway?

10 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

They could have left a vacuum line loose are there any codes? Have you checked for codes yet?

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Sunday, May 17th, 2015 AT 4:50 PM

DELR

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5 POSTS

If you mean codes on the dashboard, no there are no codes; no "check engine" light. And the car is performing normally today.

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Sunday, May 17th, 2015 AT 6:01 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
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If its idling high I would think that it would atleast set a code for a high idle. Can you take it to the auto parts store and have it scanned for codes and let me know the exact code numbers not code descriptions? Also while its idling high you could get some carb spray and spray around all the vacuum lines and intake manifold gasket area. To see if there is any changes in rpms up down etc.

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Sunday, May 17th, 2015 AT 6:44 PM

DELR

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Sorry, I am not clear on what you mean by "codes." Do you mean codes from the car's computer? I am not a do-it-yourself mechanic, so a little lost. Can auto parts stores do computer scans? And, I am assuming that they will know what carb spray is. Given it's present condition, is it safe to drive the car on the freeway? My favorite mechanic is a few miles away and getting the car to him means I'll have to get on the freeway. Should I take it back to the car shop that installed the starter? I believe that work is still under warranty.

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Sunday, May 17th, 2015 AT 7:11 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
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Yes I ment codes in the computer yes a auto parts store will be able to read them as long as you dont live in California there not allowed to read codes in California. As long as the car isn't racing out of control I dont see why you couldn't drive on the freeway. You could try taking it back to where you got the starter replaced and see what they say. Yeah a auto parts store would know what carb spray is.