Higher idle after throttle body cleaning

[Schmoe]

I would suspect that cleaning the TB made room for more air to flow in, resulting in higher RPM as the fuel management system compensates for that. I would disconnect the battery for 15 minutes and then reconnect and see if the computer re-sets itself.

 

[Mud]

The ECM may need to go through a preset number of driving cycles to reset the idle speed. However, I would double check to be sure something was not left disconnected for some reason. Agree also with disconnecting the battery for a few minutes. Just be sure your car stereo does not have a lock mode when power is disconnected!

You may also want to see if the car has (probably does) a trouble code stored, even if the CEL is not lit.

When I have worked on a throttle body before, especially if I have messed with or replaced the Idle Air Control, engine idle is higher when the engine is first started, but this usually is corrected by the ECM within a few minutes.

 

[bobo]

I drove the car for about 10 km (6 miles) today and the idle is now back to where it was prior to the throttle body cleaning. I guess I got a tad ahead of myself given my anal-retentive nature, lol!

I am reluctant now to clean the IACV as I don't believe it needs it given you can't even hear the engine and the idle is steady as a rock.

 

[bobo]

I went to a new Lubeworld yesterday to take advantage of an opening special on a fuel filter replacement for my 95 Maxima.

The fuel filter access is fairly restricted so the technician removed the stock air box and hose connected to the throttle body. He said he would clean the TB for free while he was at it.

Typically a throttle body on a Maxima is cleaned with the engine off and the butterfly held open.

The technician insisted on cleaning the TB with TB cleaner while the engine was running and sprayed a good amount of cleaner into the TB and butterfly valve.

Previously the vehicle was idling bang on spec at 700 rpm (manual transmission). However, the idle is now at 900 rpm and remained that way following a 40 mile highway drive.

The MAF was disconnected to allow for removal of the airbox. I was told that the idle will come back to spec of 700 rpms in due course.

Does that make sense? I'm not sure what kind of TB cleaner was used. Is there any downside to using TB cleaner while the engine is running?

Will the crud get suspended in the oil and ultimately into the oil filter or will it be released with the exhaust?

I still have 1,400 miles remaining on the AutoRX rinse phase on Pennzoil 5w30 dino oil and don't want to change the oil and filter at this time.

 

[seotaji]

yeah like mud said, your car needs a few drive cycles to reaquaint itself.