All cars, including yours run a higher RPM when cold starting. I do believe that yours is running a tad high (if its running 1500-2000RPM). I believe mine goes up to about 1250 RPM and then settles back to about 600-750 RPM.

Try reading your owners manual regarding re-setting your throttle position sensor. I think that might take care of it.

Good Luck, Marv

 

Yeah, almost every car I've been in does that. I believe its purpose is to heat up the car more quickly.

Edit: Oh, right, 2000 would be pretty high regardless...

 

My CTS does not run that high, 1,200 or so is tops but it idles back down quickly, in less than a minute. Never have any problem driving it.

Unless your weather is below zero, something is not right. Carbon on the throttle plate can cause it to stick and increase idle. This is an extreme but only pic I could find. I had that problem years ago on Chevy truck and the idle would be high because the plate can't close completely.

This is located on center of engine where the air intake tube goes to. Loosen ring clamp and remove, spray carb or throttle body cleaner on it disolves, a tooth brush works to scrub it, just make sure its perfectly clean so it can seat and stop the air flow thus letting the idle come down to normal.

 

In the meantime, instead of driving your vehicle while it warms up, just sit there for the minute or so until the revs die down. Then proceed to drive it like you stole it.

 

This issue has been occurring for several months now and I don't recall it ever occurring when I bought my car a year ago. When I cold start the car, the engine will idle quite high at 1500-2000 RPMs for about 35-40 seconds before calming down to the normal 500 RPMs.

This is very annoying because the car wants to go when I take my foot off the brake pedal. It can reach speeds of up to 5 MPH all by itself without me ever touching the gas when it's like this. Fast forward to the winter months, and you have spinning wheels over several inches of snow and as a result, no traction the moment I take my foot off the brakes.

This issue doesn't occur when I start my car frequently (i.e. when I make many stops when running errands or other tasks of that nature).

Is this a normal feature of the car or is there a problem here?

Mine 2008 3.6 di does the same even in the summer. It is because it wants to achieve catalyst temp as soon as possible. If engine hot it will start at normal rpm.
Which year and engine do you own?
I agree with tinman you should wait until rpm fall below 800 rpm, because it is too much power for parking maneuvers. I always use remote start when I approaching the car, so it is not annoying for me.

 

My 08 does the same exact thing. its normal as everyone else stated.

 

The high idle after a cold start is to get the cats up to operating temp quicker. EPA logic. I've read both cat temps with Torque, so sensors are in place for ECU monitoring.

 

I checked my 3.6L this morning. I'm at 1200-1300 rpm cold start.

 

Hello idealdreams,

We understand that you are seeking advice from other members of the forum and you have already received some feedback. However, if you would be interested in working with your local Cadillac dealership to have this idle concern diagnosed, we would be more than happy to reach out to them on your behalf. Please let u know if we can be of any assistance to you.

Kindly,

Samantha N
Cadillac Customer Care

 

Thank you for the offer Samantha but if this continues to be a problem I'll likely end up taking it to my mechanic. My local dealer would charger per minute for a phone call if they could get away with it and I don't feel like being gouged more than I have to be. Thank you for your assistance anyways!

I have tried resetting the throttle position sensor as outlined in the manual but the "issue" is still there. I guess I'll just start my car ahead of time when I can so I don't have to deal with the higher RPMs after a cold start.

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

Start by re-reading all the posts, nobody said the OP's car was normal. What is normal is for your car to run at a higher RPM after a cold start (for a few minutes at most) and then settle down to 500-750 RPM. What's not normal is for your car to run at 1500-2000 RPM after a cold start.

What is your CTS seeing?

 

Mine does it here in south Florida. It only lasts less than a minute. Normal.

 

I have checked it today, mine starts at 1300-1400 rpm for 30-60 seconds and goes down to 700-800 in next tens seconds.

 

IT'S NORMAL!!! why ask for our help, if your not listening... :want:

 

Idealdreams hasn't posted again on this since 9-03-15, so I don't think he's still asking

 

Free Beer Tomorrow...

 

free beer tomorrow...

road trip!

 

You make it here, free beer tomorrow. Bring cheesesteak. Whiz and onions.