Fast Idle at Cold Start up

[Ralph50]

2000 Buick LeSabre 94K miles, 3.8L
Hello all
When I start the car cold ughh 20 deg F, the idle always seems higher than it should usually around 1400 RPM. My daughters 96 LeSabre, 3.8L idles cold around 900 RPM. The idle does go down once it warms up. I read once where if the battery is drawing too many amps the computer speeds up the idle, not sure if true. I was going to replace the battery until I found out that they are 136 dollars. I checked for leaks around the intake manifold and see nothing wrong. any ideas???

thx

[buickfoxhound]

When the car(3800) is cold the computer will raise the RPM's of the car to ensure it starts. However when it reaches operating temp it should calm down. If it's not its most likely a faulty coolant temp sensor.

[polarzak]

We just looking at my 3.8 this morning and it idled at about 1300 in the cold. To my knowledge is has idled at that point in cold weather since it was new. Not sure if you have the problem or your daughter does, but in my opinion your cold idle is well within the norm.

[Scrapper]

it should idle high until it warms up like there telling you. only other thing is your tps may be bad or need ajusted. but if it idles high and comes out of it i would leave it alone.