Err?

All cars idle at ~900RPM when warmed up.

 

Bingo. All 1G insights idle right around there. No idea why it's so much higher than normal cars that idle typically around 600 or so, but that's just what it is. Usually the biggest complaint with a high idle is more gas consumption or loss of power. I feel that neither is an issue with our cars, so I have no complaints!

 

I actually meant all cars.

I don't think 600RPM is a typical idle for a modern automobile. It's always between 800 and 1000, with a mean of ~900 in my experience.

At any rate, yes, 900RPM is normal for the Insight..... and every other car I've driven.

 

Factory spec on all Civics, Integras, Preludes, Accords, etc is 650RPM plus minus 50 RPM. My 01 Insight idles at 1200 RPM which I also find strange. I know it's not the throttle plate as I have adjusted that, but I haven't been able to play with it much otherwise.

There has to be an idle speed spec and adjustment process in the FSM, I just haven't had time to look. I'd be curious to know the actual spec for our cars

 

It definitely depends on the vehicle, for example my honda ridgeline idles right at 700 RPM. According to manual that is normal.

From Ridgeline manual.
"Idle speed: 730 +/- 50 rpm, with or without electrical load"

 

After doing a little research, it does seem that ~600-700RPM is often cited. Hmm. Really depends on the car though, 900RPM seems to be more typical for imports?

Nope, just depends on the car, it varies quite a bit.

It's been too long since I've driven another car, my bad. I do know that 900RPM is normal for the Insight though.

It's controlled by the IAC valve. AFAIK, there is no way to change it.

 

the idle speed depends on the engine. A bigger engine can idle lower. Our 3 cylinder engines are good at 900rpm. My old metro 3 cyl also had an idle of 900rpm.

 

Ahh. This makes sense.

Guess I've never given idle speed much thought.

 

The IACV is the automated secondary control. There is a manual control: the idle speed set screw (not sure if that's the official name, but that's what I call it). This is how you set idle speed, then the IACV adjusts the base (manual) setting up or down as needed.

The manual screw is item # 2 in this picture:

You can see the back of it and how the air gets into the intake in this picture (look in the top center above the throttle plate). Note the IACV inlet on the bottom center under the throttle plate:

By having the engine at proper temp and load (Look in your FSM for details), you can easily re-adjust idle speed to factory specs using this screw

 

What's this "idle" thing? Mine idles at ZERO. My autostop works really well, and I never see it idle. Even in the morning when it's cold, I force it to shut down at the first couple of lights with FAS. I hate burning gas sitting still.

Big engines idle slow, little engines idle faster. No big deal.

Sam

 

Well I'm glad it's normal. Yah after 2 minutes or so from cold sitting at night it's around 900. I feel better now that most say it's normal.

 

Anothe reason for the "high" idle is that the IMA is trying to assist in the "balance" of the engine,(at idle only) so therfore there is a slight load on the engine.
HTH
Willie

 

Mine also has a full temperature idle of 900RPM, even when it's out of gas. The ECU update in '02 changed the system so that if the engine wants to idle, it will idle even if it has to use electric to do it. The original '00 ECM would stall if run out of gas but pressing the gas pedal would let you drive on electric only.

Chisight