1998 Saturn SL2 98 Saturn SL2 idles fast in gear

Tiny
SZBERT
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 SATURN SL2
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
My 1998 Saturn SL2 idles fast in gear when it warms up. The temp guage never goes above 1/4. I've replaced the ECT sensor with a part from Autozone. I've done that twice. Local mechanic said only the factory ECTS should be used. Local mechanic replaced IAC valve and cleaned intake throttle body and flushed injectors. I still have the same problem. Also have a misfire in cylinder 4 (P304 code) Have replaced spark wires and plugs. Still have miss. When warmed up the idle goes as high as 3,000 when I change from D to N. Then it slows down to a rough 700-800 RPM in neutral. As soon as I put it in gear the engine races and I have to hold hard on the brakes to keep the car from moving. If I put it back into Neutral, the RPMs come down after a few seconds.

I'm stuck. Where do I go from here? I can't afford a trip to the dealer. I already "wasted" $600 to have the IAC replaced and it didn't fix anything.
Friday, January 29th, 2010 AT 10:03 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi
Was compression tested? Was injector tested for proper fuel delivery? What is engine temp in degrees warmed?
Let me know
Thanks for donate
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Saturday, January 30th, 2010 AT 1:00 PM
Tiny
SZBERT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Compression tested the same in all cylinders and all the injectors were tested "OK"
I don't know how to check actual temp in degrees. My simple scan meter doesn't report that.
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Monday, February 1st, 2010 AT 5:47 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
When engine is started cold is there coolant flow in radiator? If yes then replace thermostat
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Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 AT 8:57 AM
Tiny
SZBERT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The thermostat wasn't stuck up, but I replaced it anyway since I had one, and flushed the system. Still, the same problem. Fast idling in gear, and the dash temp sensor never rises above 1/4.
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Thursday, February 4th, 2010 AT 7:55 AM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
The in gear rev up can't think what would cause this but IAC pentil opening. Try this disconnect IAC see if rpms go up in gear
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Thursday, February 4th, 2010 AT 11:05 AM

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