Question-------------------------the code to turning the key on and off is 12-33-55
Followup To
Question -
Having major problems with my car v.6 sometimes it idles down fine, other times it doesn't. When it doesn't, it idles at 2500rpm. Any suggestions would help, I'm terrifed of driving in winter conditions with my children in the car.
Answer -
Hi Karen,
The high idle speed could be indicative of a throttle valve that is ajar due to the build up of oily residue on the butterfly plate and throat of the throttle, or of a faulty automatic idle speed motor, or of a leak of air into the intake manifold via a cracked hose or loose fitting of a hose that is attached to the intake manifold (these are called vacuum leaks because the engine creates a vacuum in the manifold). The engine controller can automatically makeup for the leak of air by increasing the fuel input and thus balance the otherwise too lean mixture, but the result is an above specification idle speed. So the issue is do you have a dirty throttle body, an idle speed motor problem or a vacuum leak?
You can remove the air cleaner and visually inspect the throttle cable and cruise control cable for ease of motion. Then open the throttle and look in the throat and on the back side of the moveable plate for a build up of dirt. Using a carburetor spray cleaner and a tooth brush clean all the accessible surfaces. Check that the valve is free to close all the way. Note on the side of the throat a small round hole which is the by-pass to the idle control motor control passageway. Make sure that passageway is also clean and open for air to pass through. Finally put a small squirt of spray lubricant on the moving parts of the throttle valve to assure no friction will prevent the valve from closing.
The idle speed motor issue can be detected by the self-diagnostic capability of the engine controller and recorded in its memory as a fault code (a two-digit number). You can read the memory yourself just by using your ignition key:
Begin a readout as follows: Take your ignition key and turn the ignition switch "on-off-on-off-on" and leave it "on". Do this switching quickly so that no more than 5 seconds elapses. Then watch the 'check engine' light to begin to flash, pause, flash, pause, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause and make a note of them in the order that they come. The last two flash groups will be 5 in each. Repeat the readout until you have the numbers accurately (the same result, two times in a row). Then pair the numbers two at a time in the order they came, to form two-digit numbers, for example the last number will be 55 which is the code for "end of readout". Then write back and tell me the other numbers that came out and I'll see if any of them are related to your problem. The automatic idle speed motor fault is the number 25. Anyother numbers may also be relevant to the problem so tell me those also.
The presence of a vacuum leak is best determined by inspecting all the vacuum lines. The sticker on the underside of the hood is your "road map" for such an inspection. You will need to remove the air filter housing to see all these hoses. One way to find a leak is to take a spray can of carburetor cleaner or starter fluid and put a very short (small) squirt of fluid on each hose fitting while the engine is idling and observe for an immediate change in the idle speed. and when you do that and the idle goes even higher for just a few seconds you have located such a leak. But don't spray any more than for a fraction of a second and don't spray it on the exhaust manifold because you can start a fire with anything more than a tiny squirt. It is a very sensitive way to find a leak. But be very careful.
Those are my best suggestions on how to approach this situation. Let me know what you find from the code readout and take the effort to check over the throttle valve and the vacuum hoses.
Roland
AnswerHi Karen,
I am glad you followed thru on the code readout.
The 12 code is common and means that the battery power to the controller was disconnected sometime in the recent past (50-100 key on-off cycles). If that isn't the case, then check that the battery clamps are tight on the battery posts. But when tightening the nut on the + post be very careful not to touch the end of the wrench to any nearby metal surface or you can get a serious burn as the result of a direct shorting of the battery to ground.
The 55 of course is expected.
The 33 means there is a problem with the air conditioner compressor relay which is of course not related to the idle problem you are having. I would set that one aside for summertime, unless you are not getting effective windshield defrosting which requires the a/c to be functioning.
So it really means that you probably don't have an issue with the idle speed control motor and that you need instead to focus on cleaning the valve body throat and plate and to look for leaks/cracks in any of the rubber hoses that are attached to the intake manifold if this irratic idle situation is to be corrected.
So that is my best suggestion at this time.
Roland
