500E Idle Adjustment
 

My vehicle idles at about 495 rpm warmed up (with a/c on). Is there a way to mechanically (vs. electronically) adjust idle speed to around 600 rpm?

It doesn't quite shudder or stall or anything like that but you can barely feel, for lack of a better term, an impending shudder or an ever so slight quiver or tremble if you will.

I'd like to bring it back up to spec.

If this can only be done electronically, how does one go about it?

Thanks.

There isn't any to change idle speed! HOWever if you clean the throttle PLATE & housing the idle should go back to the correct speed, 650rpm. This cleaning involves using a scotch-brite pad & scrubbing until spotless.

. . . try some
 

X-66! Did I say that??? :D :D :D

Hahaha
 

I was thinking more along the lines of a piggy back capacitor to fool the computer into thinking it needed a bit more RPMs at idle! :p :p :p

If you remove your air filter housing, you will then have access to the throttle body. The top section, which contains the air flow sensor (be VERY careful not to touch anything inside), can then be removed by disconnecting the wiring then loostening a single large hose clamp that attaches it to the intake. This is where you begin to clean...I used BGs spray intake cleaner.

Once it's real clean inside, reassemble everything. That done, turn the ignition key to the "on" position, but do NOT start the car...leave the key on for 30-45 seconds and you will hear some loud clicking noises, which is the car re-setting its throttle butterfly (as I understand it).

Please let us know if this works, and good luck!

You gotta love this site!!!
 

Thanks Michael!

Just so happens that when I went to pick up the car this morning (I arrived a couple of hours ahead...on purpose) I saw the car with the air intake off. I noticed a round screen/mesh with an orange surround/gasket covering a hole of the same shape.

Is this what we're looking for?

Btw, mbdoc, you got mail...

The part with screen is the air-mass sensor. You must remove that sensor & the rubber boot that connects it to the throttle housing so that the housing can be "scrubbed" clean! SPRAY cleaners WON'T cut the crap(dark mustard).

MBDoc,

Perhaps mine wasn't that bad, but the BG stuff cleaned it away EASY! I could even see down into the innards of the intake manifold, where indeed resided some mustard-colored schtuff, and it melted that too.

I guess BGs the bomb, eh?

Yes! I too use the BG throttle/air induction system cleaner. IT is the best I have ever used.

I'd be happy to mail you a bottle of the BG Air Intake System Cleaner (exact name; I'm holding a bottle in my hand), as I have several extra..they came in a kit along with the 44K carbon remover (goes in the fuel).

Sounds like I might be putting together a 500E care package! Having spent 6 months in a desert, I assure you there's nothing like a care package with the right stuff in it!;)

Does anyone know where I can get a spray can of this (or bottle) by phone order or via internet? I'm having trouble finding it locally. Seems like I remember that this line is mainly sold to shops and pros.

Thanks

Michael,

You got mail.

Okay, I've done this on two cars now (throttle body cleaning.) I used 3M throttle body cleaner. It worked great. CAUTION!!! ON the second car (my friend's, naturally) the rubber boot between the air mass sensor and the throttle body was extremely brittle and broke upon removing the air mass sensor. I suggest that anyone contemplating this obtain a replacement boot to have on hand before starting the job.