Higher than usual idle speed

I'm hoping someone here has some insight into this. This morning I started my car and pulled it out of the garage. I noticed right away she was idling quicker than usual, but I figured it was just a little colder than usual and because it was in the garage (I never get to use the garage, but my mom is out of town). Anyway, when I say it's idling quicker than usual, it was nothing terrible, it was just noticeable, about 700 RPM quicker than usual. Anyway, I drove it 30 miles to working thinking it would calm down, but it didn't. I noticed at highway speeds that the RPM were still higher than normal. When I got to worked and parked the car, I let it run and I watched the tach. It would stay steady for a while, running quick, then it would drop about 300 RPM for about 2 seconds then go back up.

There is no SES light associated with this. I called my advisor at the stealership and she said I may be seeing the early stages of a failing TPS or IAC valve. Anyone have better insight or ideas? I don't want to take it in because even the indie shops around Denver want $80 just to get it in. Being poor and in college, I'm not ready to shell that out.

Thanks guys!

- Jeremy

The cheapest thing to do is clean the idle air controller (IAC) first. A lot of soft carbon collects in the upper intake manifold and throttle body (TB). There should be two Torx T20 screws that hold it on to the TB (top right hand side). You can use carb or throttle body spray cleaner. Spray the spring loaded pintle on the IAC. Do not move the pintle. Then at the seat where the IAC mounts to the TB to clean the air orifice passages.

When a IAC fails or the air orifice passages get clogged you'll get a high idle of up to 1500 rpms and it doesn't give off an SES light in most cases.

Thanks a lot. I'll try that tonight when I get off of work. I appreciate the help!

- Jeremy