# RPM drop just after starting

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/rpm-drop-just-after-starting/49948>\
**Category:** Power/Fuel\
**Tags:** pump, starting, sl, saturn, gasoline\
**Created:** [June 6, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rpm-drop-just-after-starting/49948 "2010-06-06T19:20:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JTG78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f04885/32.png) [@JTG78](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JTG78)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rpm-drop-just-after-starting/49948/1 "2010-06-06T19:20:45Z")

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My 1999 Saturn SL2 starts without any trouble, but just after starting the engine drops off a bit like it wants to quit, although usually it picks right back up. The severity of the “drop off” is worse once the car is warmed up. In fact a couple of times when I’ve started it after not driving for a few days it isn’t even noticeable.  
  
  
  
 The only thing I can think of that might be causing this is the fuel pump, but I wanted to see if there were any other possibilities.

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**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rpm-drop-just-after-starting/49948/2 "2010-06-06T21:59:39Z")

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If your fuel pump keeps up with the demand of high speed highway driving, it’s pumping plenty of gas at idle. More likely your Idle Air Control (IAC).

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**Author:** ![JTG78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f04885/32.png) [@JTG78](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JTG78)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2010, 10:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rpm-drop-just-after-starting/49948/3 "2010-06-06T22:40:55Z")

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Are you sure? From what I’ve read if the IAC were the problem, my car would be trying to stall out when ever I let the it idle at a stop, however, it’s only doing this right after I start the engine.

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**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 2:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rpm-drop-just-after-starting/49948/4 "2010-06-07T14:26:23Z")

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Of course I’m not sure. But I’m pretty sure it’s not your fuel pressure though. Hook up a fuel pressure gauge and watch it when you start the engine, your fuel pressure is probably fine.

You’re IAC may be sticking just a little at first, maybe it loosens up after that first stumble. I’d try taking it off & cleaning it.

Do you have any check engine lights on?

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**Author:** ![JTG78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f04885/32.png) [@JTG78](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JTG78)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rpm-drop-just-after-starting/49948/5 "2010-06-07T14:50:50Z")

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Nope, no warning/check lights, just the behavior.