Car Idling High Check Engine Light: What it Means and How to Fix It

If your car is idling high and the check engine light is on, it could be a sign of a serious problem. Idling high means that your engine is running at a higher than normal speed when it is not in gear. This can waste fuel, decrease performance, and even damage your engine.

What Causes Car Idling High?

There are several possible causes of car idling high, including:

Vacuum leak
Faulty idle air control valve
Dirty throttle body
Faulty mass airflow sensor
Intake manifold leak
Exhaust leak

How to Fix Car Idling High

The first step in fixing car idling high is to identify the cause. You can do this by using a diagnostic scanner to read the trouble codes stored in your car’s computer. Once you know the cause, you can start to fix the problem.

Here are some steps on how to fix car idling high:

Inspect the vacuum lines for leaks. If you find any leaks, replace the vacuum lines.
Clean the idle air control valve. You can do this by removing the valve and spraying it with a throttle body cleaner.
Clean the throttle body. You can do this by removing the throttle body and spraying it with a throttle body cleaner.
Replace the mass airflow sensor. The mass airflow sensor is responsible for measuring the amount of air that is flowing into the engine. If the mass airflow sensor is faulty, it can cause the engine to idle high.
Fix the intake manifold leak. An intake manifold leak can cause the engine to idle high because it allows unmetered air to enter the engine.
Fix the exhaust leak. An exhaust leak can cause the engine to idle high because it allows exhaust gases to escape before they reach the catalytic converter.

How to Prevent Car Idling High

There are several things you can do to prevent car idling high, including:

Keep your car well-maintained. This includes regular oil changes, tune-ups, and inspections.
Avoid idling your car for long periods of time. If you must idle your car, keep the engine speed as low as possible.
Check the air filter regularly and replace it when it is dirty. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow to the engine, which can cause it to idle high.

Conclusion

Car idling high is a serious problem that can damage your engine and waste fuel. If your car is idling high, it is important to identify the cause and fix the problem as soon as possible.