Ford Focus 'ghost' revving...

[Big Chris]

I drive a '99 Focus 1.8 Zetec.

Having just started the car and lets say am reversing out of a space or moving in slow traffic, the revs stay at a more or less constant 2000rpm even when I'm on the brake, and sometimes in neutral too. Once the engine has been on for a minute or two, this stops and the engine behaves normally again.

Is this to be expected?

 

[Big Chris]

It's up at around 2000rmp, sometimes slightly lower at say 1800rpm.

Once I hit the juice pedal it goes up as normal.

Makes sense that it would do it when cold though, cheers guys

 

[Big Chris]

I also tend to find it revs up when the clutch in down when sitting at lights etc

Yeah this happens to mine too, you get some funny looks when sitting at a red light behind a load of people revving your engine!

 

[Big Chris]

I'll double check the revs over the next day or two, it's certainly not far shy of 2000rpm when it happens.

As for the throttle cable, I'm not very well versed under the bonnet of a car (really should learn) but I've got some mates who like to get their hands dirty so I'll get them involved.

 

[Big Chris]

Can anyone comment on whether changing/cleaning the idle control valve is a fairly simple job and also where it is located in the engine bay of a 1.8 focus?

Just what I was thinking.

I checked the revs again this morning, seems that it stays bang on 1750rpm (2000rpm was perhaps a tad overestimated) for a minute or so, then idles at 750rpm when the engine has warmed a bit.