1998 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder High Idle

by Allison
(Panama City, FL USA)

I have a 98 Eclipse Spyder. When I start the car it idles very high. When I am driving the car runs fine until I take my foot of the gas and the idle will go up and down and keep doing that until I accelerate. I was told it was the idle air control valve. Would this be accurate?

Steve Says,

It is definitely possible that the Idle Air Control Valve (IAC) is what is causing your problem. However, there are other things that can cause this problem as well.

A vacuum leak can cause a high idle and it is quite common. If the MAF is not reading correctly it could cause a higher than normal idle. This is not likely but possible. Another likely cause is a faulty or sticky throttle body. Many times the throttle plate will wear out and let more air come in than is supposed to causing a high idle. It could even be that the throttle position sensor is faulty

You can take a chance and just replace the IAC. I recommend letting a good technician diagnose it as there are a lot of things that could cause it.

Good luck with your high idle problem. I hope that my car repair advice has helped you!