Early morning cold start RPM spike...

Burnt_Reynolds

New Member
Oct 25, 2007
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When i preform a "cold start" in the morning with my 2006 Mustang GT, the RPM's will jump up to about 2k - 2.5k rpm's for a few seconds, and then will drop back down to 1k rpm and idle normally.

I am not worried about this. I know it is a normal feature of the car. What I need to know is why the car does this. What is this process called, and what is the technical reason for the car doing it when I start it 1st thing in the morning. Is there a technical name for it? Does Ford have a special codeword for this process??

The reason being... my neighbor across the street from me has filed a lawsuit against me claiming that I am maliciously and purposely "revving" my engine early in the morning which is waking them up, and breaking the rules of the local housing association. I have checked the local zoning and noise ordinance laws, and I am not breaking them cause I am starting my car after 7am. It does not matter to my neighbor, and they filed the lawsuit anyways.

My lawyer has advised me to get as much technical info regarding this situation so it can be proven on a technical level that I am not revving my engine on purpose. My testimony is not enough. I have to actually show technical information and background on what this process is.

So I turn this query over to you gear-monkeys. Any info will help me get this neighbor off my back. I am simply starting my car in the morning to go to work, and this neighbor keep harassing me. They are ignorant when it comes to muscle cars and mustangs. They think I have done something to the engine to make it do this, so that in their words..... "everyone on the street will hear your loud obnoxious car when you start it in the morning."

I need to quite these people once and for all.

Thank you for your help.

:flag:
 
Since you leave after 7am does it really matter?

My neighbors suck so I rev mine up on purpose, CFT. But that's after 8 or so, I think we have a similar 7 am ordinance.

If they still give you **** start doin some home improvement projects where you're sawing **** outside.

Finally depending on what tips you have I think bassani has some baffles that you can retrofit that would quiet it down, but that's a last resort I think.
 
I can't help you with the technical aspects. This is from the 2007 Mustang Owner's Guide (Driving section). Perhaps there is something similar in your 2006 Guide.

"A computer system controls the engine's idle revolutions per minute (RPM). When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs higher than normal in order to warm the engine. If the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle checked. Do not allow the vehicle to idle for more than 10 minutes at the higher engine RPM."

This might assist you in proving that the car is designed to idle faster than normal on a cold start, and that you are not doing anything wrong.

Good luck.
 
Do you have a custom tune? Do you have cats? If you removed your cats and you have a custom tune, the tuner can turn that down. It's supposed to heat up the cats, but if you have them removed, there's no need.
 
Since you leave after 7am does it really matter?

My neighbors suck so I rev mine up on purpose, CFT. But that's after 8 or so, I think we have a similar 7 am ordinance.

If they still give you **** start doin some home improvement projects where you're sawing **** outside.

Since they filed a lawsuit against me, it does matter, and I have to take measures to protect myself legally. This has been going on since July 2007, and has now turned into a lawsuit. I know i'll win, but people can be stubborn.
 
Do you have a custom tune? Do you have cats? If you removed your cats and you have a custom tune, the tuner can turn that down. It's supposed to heat up the cats, but if you have them removed, there's no need.

Dark,
I don't have cat's anymore and I have a custom tune.

What option in the tuner turns that down? My car is LOUD in the AM when it initially warms up. I would love to make it less loud for the neighbors sake.

Nick
 
I haven't done anything, but the previous owner installed a set of flowmaster axle-back exhaust tips.

If you can prove that the car is in full production form, then you can prove your case by exhibiting the fact that it is acting within production standards and specifications.

Ways of doing this:
  • Providing the court (or powers that be) with a copy of the owner's manual. Many owner's manuals for many models describe the warm-up procedure as being one of higher RPMs, computer controlled revving, and other behaviors beyond the control of the operator.
  • Get a Ford Tech to certify that the car is behaving as it should, under protection and design of FoMoco.
  • Have an aftermarket tuner (shop) provide you with a stock tune from any comparable Mustang. This ROM will prove that the car you have is programmed to behave in a certain manner (ie, warm-up, oil priming, and emissions compliance).

These litigous people are going to lose if you are stating the truth about your car being in stock form. It is performing as designed....simple as that.
 
Dark,
I don't have cat's anymore and I have a custom tune.

What option in the tuner turns that down? My car is LOUD in the AM when it initially warms up. I would love to make it less loud for the neighbors sake.

Nick

Who did your tune? I heard someone a few weeks ago say that Brent turned that off, or down, or whatever. It's meant to heat up the cats. It's not something you can do on-board. It must be written into the code for your tune by your tune provider.
 
Its idling high to warm it self up just like every one else said. It's just like on a vehicle with a carb and a choke. It chokes it self (less air more fuel) to make it easier to start on cold days. This is why your cars rpms are higher. Then once the pcm sees that the car is warmed to a certain point it resumes the normal rpm. I hope that made sense.
Patrick
P.S Good luck with your crappy neighbors. Some people just don't under stand cars.
 
Thanks for the help guys. Lots of good info in here. I'm due for an inspection this weekend, so i'll be checking with the inspections guy to see if he has any thoughts on the situation. I'll also be swinging by my local dealer to talk to a service tech.
 
It's called earplugs people:rlaugh: Seriously though, if your car has been modified and it is breaking the "time/sound code" you may be having to change something:( I do know what has been stated as far as the RPMs rising so that the cats warm up is correct then revving down to normal idle, so that part you're covered, but having altered exhaust could get you:(
My car cold starts up around 1500 RPM and is quite loud. Either of the two places I stay don't care about the noise:D I leave for work at 5am and not once person has complained in a years time since adding the O/R H. One place has 4 Harley's in the cul-de-sac so they don't mind and the other place, the neighbor has a few old V8 cars and they love the sound of my car:nice: