RPM running high in neutral

Rpm ( tachometer) suddenly started running overly high ( marked 3) , and it will stay like that in neutral.

My car has 200000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
High idle can be caused from several things. Your Saturn’s extremely high idle is likely being caused by air leaking into the intake manifold. It’s called a vacuum leak. This can be caused by a hose that has fallen off or deteriorated with age. An intake manifold gasket can also leak, which allows extra air into the engine. The computer senses the extra air, adds fuel to match, and suddenly you have a high idle speed. A problem with the engine coolant temperature sensor can also lead to fast idle if it’s mistakenly telling the computer that the engine is very cold. There is also a component called the Idle Air Control (IAC) that the computer uses to meter the correct volume of idle air into the intake manifold. The IAC may be dirty, stuck, or broken from old age. A certified mobile mechanic from YourMechanic can visit your home or office to inspect why your vehicle has a high idle and provide any necessary repairs.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

The most common problem is a faulty fuse. In modern vehicles, engine idle speed is most often controlled by the idle air control (IAC) motor. This can be impacted by bad fuses in many different electronic systems in your car. Next, your high idling could be caused by a computer malfunction.
The idle control valve ensures that the engine runs at the correct level while idling. Over time, the valve or its control circuit can fail, causing the engine to run at high rpm when the car is idling.
Faulty idle control valve

If your car has high RPM while idling, it can be attributed to a problem with the idle control valve. This valve helps the car to maintain a specific RPM while idling. This idle control valve also has a fuse which if blown, will stop the valve from working altogether.

The most common reasons a Saturn SL1 has rough idle are a vacuum leak, an issue with the spark plugs, or a problem with the ignition coil. Search our network of RepairPal Certified shops near you to speak with a technician about your issue.
The normal RPM range for cars on highways is generally between 1500 rpm and 2000 rpm. The idle rotation ranges between 600 rpm and 1000 rpm. A diesel engine usually stays idle at around 750 rpm, while it runs at a speed of 110 km/h on 6th gear at 2000 rpm. However, petrol engines rotate at 6000 rpm at high speeds.
Among the potential underlying causes are vacuum leaks, EGR system malfunctions, malfunctioning oxygen sensors, dirty fuel injectors, fuel pump malfunction, faulty spark plugs, a faulty mass airflow sensor, or a faulty throttle position sensor.
If the RPMs are too high, try dropping it down a gear. This can solve the problem quickly and easily. Depending on what equipment the engine is hooked up to, you may be able to control the RPMs with gears. If the RPMs are too high, try dropping it down a gear.
If everything is working as it`s supposed to, the engine idle speed should always remain the primary constant. However, over a period of time some mechanical components that monitor or control the flow of fuel into the fuel injector will become damaged and may contribute to increasing or decreasing engine idle speed.
If your engine revs up as you press down on the gas but your vehicle doesn`t accelerate as much as you`d expect, you may be dealing with transmission slipping. If you`ve ever tried to accelerate on ice, where your engine revs but your vehicle goes nowhere, you know the feeling.
A rough idling engine can be caused by spark plugs or spark plug wires. Spark plugs use the electrical current received from ignition coils to ignite the air/fuel mixture within the combustion chamber. A plug that is damaged or installed incorrectly can result in fuel being burned at an inconsistent rate.
While it may seem like a small problem on its own, rough idling is a sign that some part of your engine isn`t working properly. Over time, rough idling can result in poor gas mileage, starting issues and major engine problems.
Wondering what RPM should a car drive at when on a highway? There is no single RPM that is considered “normal” when cruising on a highway. To reduce wear and tear to the engine and ensure you get maximum fuel efficiency, it`s best to stay in the 2000-3000 RPM range when driving on a highway at 60-70 mph.
The engine will rev even without increasing the car`s speed. Put the car in neutral: To rev the engine, you can also shift the manual transmission into neutral. Put the stick shift on your car in neutral. You can use the accelerator to rev the engine while it is neutral.
Because the RPM is the indication of the engine`s speed or revolutions, not the wheels. THAT would be the Speedometer. When you are sitting still in neutral, the engine is still turning and that is what you are seeing. If the engine was turned off, then the revolutions per minute (RPM) would be 0 only then.
Incorrect Idle Speed: While the average idle speed falls between 600 to 1,000 RPMs, if your vehicle is experiencing a rough idle it could be due to an incorrect idle speed setting. A trained technician can easily adjust the idle speed, and it should stay at the proper speed.
your car surges and dies out: a faulty map sensor can cause engine rpm to fluctuate or surge, primarily at idle or low speeds. if you turn on the air conditioning or use the power steering when the happens, the engine can die out. it will usually restart, but this condition will worsen and can be dangerous.
Problem Description

Bad throttle position sensors can cause high idle without causing the Check Engine Light to illuminate.

Rough Idling

Improperly functioning spark plugs cause an uneven burn of fuel in the engine, resulting in fluctuating RPMs and a louder noise. You might also experience increased vibrations of your vehicle while sitting idle or while traveling at low speeds.

Other possible causes of a high idle include vacuum leaks, EGR system malfunctions, malfunctioning oxygen sensors, dirty fuel injectors, fuel pump malfunction, faulty spark plugs, a faulty mass airflow sensor, a malfunctioning throttle and, rarely, a PCM/ECM malfunction.
The most common causes of this on your vehicle are either a bad idle control valve, a dirty or failing throttle body, or a vacuum leak. It is very common for the engine to have a vacuum leak at the intake manifold gasket. I usually start by checking that first for leaks.
Idle speed is controlled by using an electronically controlled throttle bypass valve, as seen in Fig. 6.6, which allows air to flow around the throttle plate and produces the same effect as if the throttle had been slightly opened such that sufficient M . a flows to maintain engine operation.
In order to increase the engine idle speed, tighten the screw clockwise. You can use a Phillips head screwdriver to turn the idle screw clockwise. Turn the screw once or twice to make minor adjustments in the idle speed, or three-four times to significantly increase the idle RPM.
Faulty EGR valve – if the EGR valve gets stuck in the wrong position or develops a vacuum leak, then sometimes this can cause high engine RPM.
The throttle controls the engine power. In most engines (car, lawnmower etc.) this also controls the RPM. The prop control adjusts the pitch of the prop blades and thus the load on the engine, so the RPM stays the same (hence: “constant speed”) but it will fall off speed if there isn`t enough power.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

locks up at high rpm then able to free up and run again
ANSWER : The problem may be the transmission pilot bearing for the transmission input shaft on the back of the crankshaft seizing up or the input shaft on the transmission seizing. If it is not the transmission, then it is the internal engine camshaft or crankshaft seizing up and rocking the engine with the transmission loosening the seized bearing. Have a mechanic listen to the noise and verify what is failing in the engine or transmission in order to diagnose the car’s starting problem.

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High RPM’s when pressing brake
ANSWER : Hi There,
There are 3 sources of signals that are involved in up and down shifting points the computer arrives at to direct transmission shifting.

The Idle Air Control Valve. The idle air control valve is a small valve on the engine’s intake system that reads the air intake as it comes into the motor. This is controlled by the car’s ECM which uses this information to make adjustments to the air/fuel ratio depending on various inputs such as outside air temperature, intake air temperature, load and various other things. As you accelerate, your car’s engine is receiving a much higher dose of fuel than when at idle and conversely, when you let off the gas pedal, there is a sudden change in this fuel supply as a result of your foot letting off the pedal.
The Throttle Position Sensor. The throttle position sensor monitors the throttle position of the throttle plate inside the throttle body in relation to your foot position on the gas pedal. Based upon the inputs from the sensor reading your foot’s position on the pedal, the ECU then makes the direction to supply more or less fuel to the motor. When this sensor is not working properly, this can cause intermittent responses when pressing the gas pedal.
VSS speed sensing. The transmission speed sensor is a magnetic sensor that provides this information, allowing the transmission to shift smoothly. The sensor counts the internal number of revolutions of the transmission and transmits that information to the transmission control unit, where the data is used to determine the rotational speed. As the rotation increases, the control unit directs the changing of gears. When this is not working properly, this may cause the transmission to shift erratically or in some cases not at all.

I would recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle to determine what may be causing this.

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Engine runs, but car doesn’t accelerate?
ANSWER : Knowing the results of the computer diagnosis as well as the part that was replaced can be helpful in assisting you with your Pontiac G3. It is possible the part that was replaced is defective and may need to be replaced. Based on what you described with your vehicle, it appears that you may be experiencing transmission issues.

The engine should never be revved up to six to seven thousand RPMs when the vehicle is not moving, as this can cause damage to the vehicle’s components. Because the information provided is a little unclear, it is hard to determine if you are having concerns with your transmission or if the problem lies with the engine itself.

If you don’t trust going back to the same mechanic that worked on your car originally, get yourself a second opinion and enlist the help of one of our certified mechanics who can diagnose why the Check Engine Light is on as well as determine why your Pontiac is not accelerating. They will also be able to assist you with the repairs needed to get your G3 up and running again.

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Rough in neutral and runs fine in gear will stall when shifting out of gear to neutral
ANSWER : This may be a sign of a faulty MAP sensor as the vehicle responds adversely to a load put on the motor (i.e. putting it in gear, turning on AC or engaging the brakes). The Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor senses engine load and generates a signal that is proportional to the amount of vacuum in the intake manifold. The engine computer then uses this information to adjust ignition timing and fuel enrichment. When the engine is working hard, intake vacuum drops as the throttle opens wide. The engine takes in more air, which requires more fuel to keep the air/fuel ratio in balance. When the computer reads a heavy load signal from the MAP sensor, it adjusts the fuel mixture to slightly more rich than normal so the engine can produce more power. The computer will then retard (back off) ignition timing slightly to prevent detonation that can damage the engine and decrease performance. This may also be caused by other closely related components such as a dirty or failing mass air-flow sensor, a faulty throttle position sensor or potentially a vacuum leak. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.

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Shaking and low idling in neutral, car stall and runs rough in gear
ANSWER : Hello. The two most common issues that cause this are a bad crank or cam sensor, or a failing throttle body. I usually install a scan tool and see if the sensors are reading right. If they are, then I try cleaning the throttle body to see if it helps. If that does not help, then I check the functionality of the throttle body and replace it if necessary. I have also had the computer fail on this car and cause this, but that is not as common. If you are going to have this repaired, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose your shaking and idling issue.

Read Full Q/A … : RPM running high in neutral

RPM running high in neutral
ANSWER : High idle can be caused from several things. Your Saturn’s extremely high idle is likely being caused by air leaking into the intake manifold. It’s called a vacuum leak. This can be caused by a hose that has fallen off or deteriorated with age. An intake manifold gasket can also leak, which allows extra air into the engine. The computer senses the extra air, adds fuel to match, and suddenly you have a high idle speed. A problem with the engine coolant temperature sensor can also lead to fast idle if it’s mistakenly telling the computer that the engine is very cold. There is also a component called the Idle Air Control (IAC) that the computer uses to meter the correct volume of idle air into the intake manifold. The IAC may be dirty, stuck, or broken from old age. A certified mobile mechanic from YourMechanic can visit your home or office to inspect why your vehicle has a high idle and provide any necessary repairs.

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Truck idling high and shifting at high RPM when let off throttle
ANSWER : Hi There,
What you are describing sounds like possibly a bad speed sensor or potentially a faulty transmission control module, which also controls the speed sensors. The transmission control module has various sensors such as vehicle speed sensors, wheel speed sensors, throttle position sensors, turbine speed sensor, and transmission fluid temperature sensors that all direct information to it in order for it to perform it’s function. Other functions controlled by the TCM are components such as a kick down switch, traction control system, and cruise control module. Any of these may also affect the way the transmission control module performs and controls the transmission and the shifting of your vehicle. A faulty transmission control module may cause also cause a delay in acceleration or erratic shifting of gears. Lastly, this may also be a result of low transmission fluid. I would suggest having a professional from Your Mechanic come to your location to properly diagnose your transmission problem.

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Idle is running high when driven. I put it in neutral and it idles at 2300 rpms. Just had a cold air intake put in and throttle cleaned
ANSWER : Hi there. Assuming your vehicle has ETC (electronic throttle control), "drive-by-wire" problems can develop when cleaning is performed. Manually opening the throttle plate may have affected the close position. An idle relearn performed with a capable scanner may resolve the issue. If the Check Engine Light is on, this may help direct the diagnosis. A vacuum leak may also create a higher than expected idle. I recommend having the vehicle’s high idle diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic.

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