Idle too high when transmission is not in gear?

Tiny
HOOKIE
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 KIA SPORTAGE
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
Hello, this car idles around 1,500 RPMs and if I turn the idle set screw it doesn't make any difference in the idle. However, when I put it in gear (automatic) the idles drops to 850 RPMs where it's supposed to be.
I changed the idle motor and throttle position sensor and it doesn't make any difference. My air intake is brittle and cracked bad could that be ethe issue?

I didnt remove everything to clean throttle body.
Please help.
Sunday, January 12th, 2025 AT 7:03 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
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Cute kitty cat :) Yes, the air intake must be in good shape with no leak because you have the MAF sensor that monitors the air into to the engine if that is not correct it will lean the engine out causing the high idle. Here is what the air intake boot/tube should look like with no leaks. Also do you have a check engine light on?

Please go over this guide as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-idles-too-high

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Monday, January 13th, 2025 AT 5:37 PM
Tiny
HOOKIE
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Hello Ken and thank you for your help. My boot is fine and I have no codes, but the air long plastic tube (to left of item #3 in your pic) is cracked really bad. I cleaned the IAC control valve but noticed a roll pin is missing from it in the bottom. So thus, the barrel can turn on the motor raising or lowering the idle as this roll pin most likely fell out somehow. However, I cant lower the idle any further when I turn it to match the hole in the TAC valve with the hole where the roll pin was the idle air control motor is brand new. Also why is my idle set screw not causing the idle to change? I have it all the way screwed out.

Well, thank you for all the info. I am going to clean the mass air flow sensor. The air filter is good, and intake manifold gasket was replaced a few years ago. I just had the timing belt replaced and the 2 mechanics couldn't fix the high idle either. Please advise. Thanks
As I said, the long plastic air intake (to left of item #3 in your pic) is all busted. Would this cause the problem? Gail
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Monday, January 13th, 2025 AT 7:46 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes the air intake tube needs to be intact with no leaks. The idle screw does not affect the engine speed because the computer is trying to compensate for the adjustments. I would replace the IAC valve and the intake tube, then wind the idle screw back in, because if the screw is outward the idle will raise. Let me know what happens.
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Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 AT 10:35 AM
Tiny
HOOKIE
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Hi Ken, you mean to replace the long air tube up front above radiator? That part is right to the left on your picture of item #3 (resonance chamber)? It's a long plastic air duct hard to find, it's really broken.

I didn't think that part would affect idle speed, and my set screw increases the idle speed if turn it in (clockwise) its always worked that way. I will try and get that air intake plastic grey tube. Thank you
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Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 AT 11:11 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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No, part #3 will not affect the idle speed, just the tube between the throttle body and the MAF sensor. Also, make sure the throttle cable has play in it while the throttle body is at idle.
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Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 AT 9:45 AM
Tiny
HOOKIE
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Hello Ken,

I replaced the idle air control part and also the throttle position sensor. I also cleaned the whole throttle body and removed and cleaned if. Still same issue idles too high and runs rough no check engine light on. I had a broken wire to the throttle sensor but sliced in a new connector. When it was broken it was throwing codes but no codes now. What else could it be? Some say MAF air sensor?
1998 kia sportage 2.0 liter automatic 2wheel drive
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Saturday, January 25th, 2025 AT 1:52 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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If you have no vacuum leaks and the IAC is new with no codes, also do you say no check engine light comes on? I would say the ECM is bad, you can send it it for testing by searching google or ebay. Here is the location of the ECM so you can check it out. Also, the idle air screw is tight correct, all the way clockwise? Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Sunday, January 26th, 2025 AT 9:38 AM
Tiny
HOOKIE
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Hello Ken, I have tried 3 different idle motors they all buzz (make a buzzing noise) when car is running or key is on position. I had a mechanic come out and when removes the connector on the idle air control valve, the buzzing noise stops. I wouldn't think I had three new bad idle motors?

Also he said on his expensive scanner that I had low voltage p102 or 103 something like that on my MAF air flow sensor. He said to clean it which I did with MAF cleaner but the car still idles a bit high 1,000 RPMs now and the new idle motor still buzzes. Its definitlely the idle motor buzzing. When I unplug the connector to it, it stops buzzing?

I don't want to spend alot of money on computer and all as the car is listed above. Why is this motor buzzing?
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Tuesday, February 11th, 2025 AT 2:07 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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It sounds like it is buzzing because the PCM is shorted out, but to be sure you can check the wiring, power and grounds to the PCM before sending it out, here is a guide and the engine wiring diagrams below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

I don't think the MAF sensor codes will make the engine have a high idle. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
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Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 AT 9:34 AM
Tiny
HOOKIE
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Thank you for your help. I hurt my arm so must wait until it gets better. Do I need to replace the MAF sensor? The guy had gotten a PO102 code from my car, he said to clean the MAF but it runs really rough and no change in the idle. He also said where the idle motor connects to car there is a gasket leak from the idle motor gasket is an air leak he said to use sealant around the new idle motor as it leaks around Idle Air Motor Gasket.

What do you think is making it idle so rough? Do you think it skipped time? I had them put a new timing kit on, but the car had all these symptoms before.
The guy who got the MAF low voltage code. Well, it showed on his computer but not my dash or computer.
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Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 AT 10:07 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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This code will not make the engine idle high but a leak around the IAC motor will. I would remove the IAC motor and recheck the gasket.
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Thursday, February 13th, 2025 AT 9:05 AM
Tiny
HOOKIE
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Hi Ken, sorry to bother you but this car is running rough, and I wish to check each sensor (MAF, IAC, and throttle) but can I do that if I turn can on and disconnect a sensor or two? I'm trying to disconnect the buzzing one but if I do will I be able to test the others for voltage and ground and all? Or do they all have to be plugged in. Also, you said I might need a new ECU. How do I remove the metal clip and remove it from the car? It's on passenger (above floor). Thanks, GAIL
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Friday, February 14th, 2025 AT 1:15 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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I don't see a metal clip, just four bolts. Can you upload an image?
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Saturday, February 15th, 2025 AT 10:01 AM

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