Extremely high idle.

[Jeff-n-MT]

1981 528i - I was driving the other day and put the throttle to the floor. The transmission kicked down and the engine speed increased. When I let off the throttle the engine speed stayed hgih. I put the car in neutral and the RPM was around 3600. I put the car back in gear and drove home. The throttle linkage in not stuck, but I can not get the idle to come down. Any thoughts? Thanks, Jeff

[Ross]

Throttle is stuck or a big vaccuum leak.

[Jeff-n-MT]

I'll check for a vacuum leak. I forgot to state earlier that my car is fuel injected and looking into the throttle body, the butterfly valve seems to operate properly. I wasn't sure if the air sensing unit (correct name?), the part that is between the air box and the throttle body is malfuntioning?

[mamilapon]

I'll check for a vacuum leak. I forgot to state earlier that my car is fuel injected and looking into the throttle body, the butterfly valve seems to operate properly. I wasn't sure if the air sensing unit (correct name?), the part that is between the air box and the throttle body is malfuntioning?
That's probably it. The flap inside the airflow meter might be stuck open.

[rob101]

sounds more like your Idle Control Valve has stuck open
its the thing that controls the air flow at idle
mmmmmmm l-jet www.firstfives.org the technical FAQ should help you out.

[Jeff-n-MT]

Thanks for the feedback and links to other pages. I'll check on all that has been suggested. I appreciate it, as I miss driving my bimmer and want to get her back on the road.