What causes a sudden increase in RPM when in neutral?
2 Answers
Neutral gear sudden RPM increase may be caused by slight throttle sticking. Below is relevant information about automotive transmissions: Function: Change the transmission ratio to expand the range of torque and speed variation of the driving wheels, adapting to frequently changing driving conditions while keeping the engine operating under favorable conditions; Utilize neutral gear to interrupt power transmission, allowing the engine to start, idle, and facilitating gear shifting or power output. Components: Housing, used to install and support all transmission components and store lubricating oil. The housing should have sufficient rigidity with reinforced inner walls, complex shapes, mostly castings; The transmission part refers to gears, shafts, bearings, and other transmission components. The geometric dimensions of the shafts are determined through strength and stiffness calculations, primarily depending on stiffness. Since the elastic modulus of carbon steel and alloy steel is nearly equal, carbon steel is generally used. Alloy steel is only used when the gear and shaft are integrated or when the shaft is severely loaded.
I just encountered this situation when I went to get my car repaired. The mechanic said that the main reasons for the RPM surge in neutral gear are a few common issues. The most common one is a dirty throttle body or severe carbon buildup, which causes the air intake control to malfunction. It could also be related to the idle control valve; when this thing gets stuck, it can mess with the RPM regulation. Additionally, if a sensor in the engine fails, it can trick the computer into increasing the RPM, such as a faulty coolant temperature sensor falsely reporting low temperature and causing the engine to inject more fuel. Another possibility is an air intake leak, where incorrect air-fuel mixture ratios cause RPM fluctuations. Last time my car had this issue, cleaning the throttle body and replacing the idle control valve fixed it. Such problems should be repaired promptly, otherwise, fuel consumption can suddenly increase.