carina fast idling - mav
just bought a carina e 1.8 runs great but the tickover is to high it is about 1500rpm when cold and between 1000 to 1200 rpm when warm. the thottle doesnt seem to be sticking it is closing ok onto the stop.
the temp gauge seems to vary a bit it seems to be running cool.
some times it will go upto almost halfway then it drops to about a quarter the way up the gauge and seems to stay there.
would the high idling cause a mot fail
many thanks in advance
ps does any one know how to take the radio out. and is it coded it is a standard toyota rad cass. the year is 1996

carina fast idling - Greg R
The three most likely causes of your engine fast idle trouble are as follows (not necessarily in order of probability)

1. Carbon/ gum deposits in the throttle body. Can sometimes be cleaned with carb spray.

2. Sticky idle control valve. Again, it is sometimes possible to clean the plunger with carb spray.

3. Defective coolant temperature sensor. This can only be checked using the correct diagnostic equipment. However, you can check its electrical conections, along with those at the idle control valve. It may be possible that the ECU is defective, but treat this as a last resort.


Try e-mailing carmexhelp@aol.com if none of these work. This is the e-mail for the magazine Car Mechanics where readers can get help with car problems.

Also, consult the Haynes manual for the carina if none of the above work.