Low idle & CEL

[skatedees]

This is kind of hard to explain.
Normaly when my car starts, it makes the noises, chuga chuga broooom! And there is no problem, and it idles at .5 which I believe is normal.
Other times, the car starts very quickly, chu.. broooom! and the CEL comes on and it idels around .3 - .4. But then after I drive for a litle bit, the CEL goes out and the idle returns to normal :smt017

I don't have a computer to hook to the car, so I can't get these codes everyone talks about. I'm new to these engines so I don't really know what to look at.

Any info/opinions/links are greatly apreciated!
Thanks in advance!

[Huffer]

Idle air bypass valve?
Air flow meter failing?

Have you stuck to the maintenance schedule at all?

[skatedees]

I just got the car a few weeks ago. The previous owner said he kept up with oil changes and such. Every 3,000. He got it from some professor who brought it to the dealership regularly. So I guess, to answer your question, yes?
But I'll take a look at the ol' bypass valve and air flow meter. Will the Chilton Manual give me all the info I need to check those?

[jey]

I don't have a computer to hook to the car, so I can't get these codes everyone talks about. I'm new to these engines so I don't really know what to look at.

Any info/opinions/links are greatly apreciated!
Thanks in advance!

Go to Autozone and they'll pull it for free. Even if the light has gone off, the code is still in there and can be pulled so you don't even necessarily have to wait until the light comes on to take it there.

[skatedees]

Go to Autozone and they'll pull it for free. Even if the light has gone off, the code is still in there and can be pulled so you don't even necessarily have to wait until the light comes on to take it there.

Good call! :smt023