High Idle AND now High RPMs 1995 SC2

randibou · 03-20-2009, 01:56 PM

My 1995 SC2 has a high idle anyway, however, lately, the RPMs run around 2500 at 60MPH and at 3000+ at 70+. It's like the RPM gauge moves along with the speedometer almost at an even rate. I have not checked it above 73MPH. What should the RPMs be at various speeds, anyone know?

I thought that for the year I've been driving the vehicle, the RPM would gradually increase as I accelerated and then when the car shifted it would decrease, but now it stays high until of course I decrease my speed.

Can someone direct me on how to troubleshoot this issue please? I had a mechanic look at the high idle problem some time ago and I'm sure he tried all the usual stuff, but he did admit to not knowing much about Saturns. I would think that this high idle and high RPM problem would be related. Another friend thinks that it could be a vaccuum leak.

I'm sure this is unrelated, but, I did add some Lucas to my last oil change to possibly fix a leak or whatever is causing me to lose a quart of oil after a couple of months. The car sat for about 2 weeks and when I drove it after that, that's when I started noticing the high RPM problem.

Anyway, any help you can provide would be appreciated. On another note, I also have the reverse jerk issue as well. I know, typical Saturn issues I guess. I hope to resolve that one soon too.

OnDaGround · 03-20-2009, 02:06 PM

DOHC, its not likely to be a vacuum leak. 3000 rpms at 70+ sounds about right. Is the car an auto or manual? Maybe this will help. It has in there how to find a vacuum leak as well if you really want to check for it. But these are the main causes.

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=132844

DonP · 03-20-2009, 05:38 PM

Welcome.

Your first post - a new member. Check and as necessary replace your ECTS, it can cause high idle, and a number of other driveability issues. Check the fIrst few sticky threads in tHe How-to Library forum. Once you know the ECTS is good, you can move on to other diagnostics.

On my '95 SL2 5 speed in 5th, 2000 RPM ~ 50 MPH, 3000 RPM ~ 75 MPH, and so on,i.e., divide the RPM by 40 to get the MPH.

Fox Slaughter · 03-20-2009, 05:52 PM

So what you are saying on a MP3 transmission in 5th gear if you were at 6K rpms you would be going 150 mph?

If you had a built motor and a stand alone system and crank balanced to 9K you could go 225 mph in a Saturn?

03-20-2009, 01:56 PM	#1
randibou New Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1	High Idle AND now High RPMs 1995 SC2 My 1995 SC2 has a high idle anyway, however, lately, the RPMs run around 2500 at 60MPH and at 3000+ at 70+. It's like the RPM gauge moves along with the speedometer almost at an even rate. I have not checked it above 73MPH. What should the RPMs be at various speeds, anyone know? I thought that for the year I've been driving the vehicle, the RPM would gradually increase as I accelerated and then when the car shifted it would decrease, but now it stays high until of course I decrease my speed. Can someone direct me on how to troubleshoot this issue please? I had a mechanic look at the high idle problem some time ago and I'm sure he tried all the usual stuff, but he did admit to not knowing much about Saturns. I would think that this high idle and high RPM problem would be related. Another friend thinks that it could be a vaccuum leak. I'm sure this is unrelated, but, I did add some Lucas to my last oil change to possibly fix a leak or whatever is causing me to lose a quart of oil after a couple of months. The car sat for about 2 weeks and when I drove it after that, that's when I started noticing the high RPM problem. Anyway, any help you can provide would be appreciated. On another note, I also have the reverse jerk issue as well. I know, typical Saturn issues I guess. I hope to resolve that one soon too.

03-20-2009, 02:06 PM	#2
OnDaGround Master Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Get off my lawn!! Posts: 4,823 OnDaGround's Photos 1993 SC2	Re: High Idle AND now High RPMs 1995 SC2 DOHC, its not likely to be a vacuum leak. 3000 rpms at 70+ sounds about right. Is the car an auto or manual? Maybe this will help. It has in there how to find a vacuum leak as well if you really want to check for it. But these are the main causes. http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=132844 ... Saturnless...

03-20-2009, 05:38 PM	#3
DonP Master Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: VA Posts: 3,582 DonP's Photos 1995 SL2	Re: High Idle AND now High RPMs 1995 SC2 Welcome. Your first post - a new member. Check and as necessary replace your ECTS, it can cause high idle, and a number of other driveability issues. Check the fIrst few sticky threads in tHe How-to Library forum. Once you know the ECTS is good, you can move on to other diagnostics. On my '95 SL2 5 speed in 5th, 2000 RPM ~ 50 MPH, 3000 RPM ~ 75 MPH, and so on,i.e., divide the RPM by 40 to get the MPH.

03-20-2009, 05:52 PM	#4
Fox Slaughter Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: North of Detroit Posts: 1,697 Fox Slaughter's Photos 1998 SC2 1996 SL2	Re: High Idle AND now High RPMs 1995 SC2 So what you are saying on a MP3 transmission in 5th gear if you were at 6K rpms you would be going 150 mph? If you had a built motor and a stand alone system and crank balanced to 9K you could go 225 mph in a Saturn? ... I'll be sitting at my desk With a gun in my hand, wearing a bulletproof vest singing "My, my, my, how the time does fly, when you know you're going to die By the end of the night."

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