idle speed up and down ,CEL on

[johnd]

Hi
as it got really cold my idle speed goes up and down and eventually the engine dies.Also the check engine light comes on.
The other day the CEL was flashing.Any idea ?
When it's warm no problems except for the CEL wich comes on once in awhile.
Thanks
John

98 V6 Mystique

 

[Tony2005]

Flashing CEL usually means a misfire. Take the car to Autozone or Advance for a free reading of the code(s) and post the exact code(s) here.

 

[AliasJerk]

Flashing CEL usually means a misfire. Take the car to Autozone or Advance for a free reading of the code(s) and post the exact code(s) here.

I bet he has more then one code. The spikeing revs usualy indicates an IAC valve problem, which is very common. Usualy anywhere between 60 and 100K miles the IAC valves build up carbon, which causes them to stick open or closed... Usualy closed, so they wont hold a proper idle and usualy die. the IAC valve is pretty easy to remove, you can either clean it, which is a hit or miss fix. Sometimes it fixes it permantly, and sometimes it only works for a few months.

http://www.contour.org/FAQ/FAQ.php?s=probs&displayid=7

That is a link to the IAC fix Howto, that will probably fix your idle problem. Although we cant entirely diagnose your problems without getting the codes scanned and having you post them.

Hope this helps!

 

[johnd]

idle speed Up and down

idle speed Up and down

Thanks guys for the tips.I have to wait awhile since it's -25C outside.
Hope to get to the codes this weekend.I bought an OBD2 reader.
Is the plug under the dash ?
BTW the car has 140 000 km and idles fine when it's not as cold.Last summer the CEL came on while driving on the highway then a few days later it cleared.Something is been brewing for some time I guess.
thanks
John

 

[Tony2005]

...I bought an OBD2 reader.
Is the plug under the dash ?.

Yes. Under the left portion of the dash. The plug will only go in one way to the socket connector. Don't forget to turn the ignition to "ON".