Hi All

I have recently taken my 2003 KJ to have its 105,000km service, which included its timing belt and plugs. The idle speed was low, and sits at about 500 rpm when the engine is warm. They increased the idle speed, and it is fine when its in Park or Neutral, and sits at about 800rpm. Put it in drive though and it idles at about 550 rpm, and you feel a bad vibration through the cabin. I took it back, they cleaned the throttle, and it is exactly the same. Anyone else have this problem? The mechanics at Toowong Mitsubishi say it could just be as good as it gets for a car with 105,000km, but i think that is a bit of BS as the taxi i took there had over 400,000km at it idled fine in drive. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Rob

Try a new battery?

how about re-setting the computer (ECU)? Do you mind if i ask what they charged? I have to get the same service soon...

They had two attempts at resetting the computer. First time after they did the belt and plugs, second attempt when i brought it in again. They said they can only set the base idle which is what it idles at in park and neutral, and the computer decides what to idle at in drive. Total cost was $73 labour and $23 parts, but you know, that doesnt fix the low idle speed in drive...

I have an 03 KJ Verada as well and it also idles quite low..Drive about 550 and about 500 in park..Not rough though and has a nice smooth idle..It gets a little high in drive when cold but drops quite quickly when put in neutral...Has done 110000 k's..
I am no expert but maybe an injector clean would be beneficial..

. . . said they can only set the base idle which is what it idles at in park and neutral, and the computer decides what to idle at in drive.

Yeah, the computer then talks to the ISC to adjust the idle correctly. If the ISC isn't doing the right thing (because it has a burnt out coil) then the "base idle" will drop as soon as you put it in gear. Tell your mechanics to grow a brain and replace the ISC.

MadMax, pardon my ignorance(or maybe foggy memory), what is the ISC?

My TL AWD has a similar rough idle, which only seemed to get worse after the timing belt was replaced. When I have the car stationary, but still in drive (like when sitting at traffic lights, it vibrates and misses like it is going to stall. It also has a rattle when cold - which I reckon is also a result of the timing belt replacement. Even though this was all done through the same dealer I bought the vehicle from, they can't fix it and state that it is because of the cam design. I've had the car since new, and it wasn't that rough when I first got it.

Ken

They have cleaned the injectors im affraid.... I will mention the ISC to them.

Yeah Ken you seem to be in the same situation as me. Mine had a low idle slight vibration in drive, but it got worse after having the timing belt changed. And this is by a Mitsubishi dealership, I wont be going back to Mitsubishi Toowong, after the manager said "well it has done 100,000km, so maybe its as good as it gets" and the mechanic said "well ive sat in worse cars than this", which I dont know how that can be a justification.

the manager said "well it has done 100,000km, so maybe its as good as it gets" and the mechanic said "well ive sat in worse cars than this", which I dont know how that can be a justification.

Its a not too subtle way to tell you they can't be bothered, and you should buy a new car. lol AS IF!!

I'm also getting the "just how it is" and "good as it gets" justification. What peeves me is that it got worse after the scheduled service. This car will have to last me at least another 3 to 5 years, so I can't afford to have dealer mechanics slowly "service" (or sabotage) it into the ground.

I've just changed the rear spark plugs and hand cleaned the throttle body, I'll give it a week to see if the roughness improves. Unfortunately, the rattle is still there.

Ken