2000 Lincoln LS V6 high startup rpm

[opps]

Inherited Dad's car when he passed last year. Only 76,000 miles. Knew it needed some suspension work so $3400 later all new struts, some new A-arms, all new tie rods, brake work, new AC system and the car was drivable. (less miles than my second engine 2002 Saturn at 156k but it came from Illinois where the weather is hard on a car and he never drove far enough to notice it). Did the overheating thing - 2 years ago the service shop in Rockford put $2800 in parts in it including a new hydraulic fan system but never changed the degas bottle which was cracked. Fixed that and a new T-hose on top.

When they did this work (new coils also) they messed with the startup idle speed. I know there was a loose fitting connection off the top of the upper hose which I think I fixed. But it revs high and takes about 5 minutes to drop down to where it does not slam into reverse when backing out. It only does this when cold. Once warm it is a normal shift into forward or reverse.

Any ideas on how to change this or diagnose? We are talking maybe 2500 rpm to start and it does drop down some when I tap the gas peddle but I don't think it is setup correctly.

 

[LS4me]

Inherited Dad's car when he passed last year. Only 76,000 miles. Knew it needed some suspension work so $3400 later all new struts, some new A-arms, all new tie rods, brake work, new AC system and the car was drivable. (less miles than my second engine 2002 Saturn at 156k but it came from Illinois where the weather is hard on a car and he never drove far enough to notice it). Did the overheating thing - 2 years ago the service shop in Rockford put $2800 in parts in it including a new hydraulic fan system but never changed the degas bottle which was cracked. Fixed that and a new T-hose on top.

When they did this work (new coils also) they messed with the startup idle speed. I know there was a loose fitting connection off the top of the upper hose which I think I fixed. But it revs high and takes about 5 minutes to drop down to where it does not slam into reverse when backing out. It only does this when cold. Once warm it is a normal shift into forward or reverse.

Any ideas on how to change this or diagnose? We are talking maybe 2500 rpm to start and it does drop down some when I tap the gas peddle but I don't think it is setup correctly.

I would call this normal; especially considering the cold temps you've been having. Try putting it in neutral for a bit prior to drive as that will lower the RPM sooner. The idle is controlled by the PCM and is not adjustable. "They" didn't "mess with the startup (sic) idle".

 

[RigsLS]

As LS4me pointed out, it's very normal, it's part of the emission cycle, needs to heat up the CATs and sensors before settling to normal idle. The colder, the longer it would take. Starts high idle then should come down to 1500 RPM within a few seconds, then lowers itself as it warms up.

Take note these LS'es need to be put in gear and driven during warm up, no need to wait on warm up, just start, pause long enough for the drop down, adjust music volume and get going. Maintain smooth take offs and limited RPMs until she reaches normal mid level temperature.

If it does in fact not settle down within reason, might want to check for a sticky IAC, vacuum leak or faulty TPS.
Also ensure the intake air breather element is not getting old and clogged up. Fresh fuel filter is always a good idea!

EDIT: as an afterthought, since it's a first GEN, Throttle by 'cable'
... perhaps look at the cabling to the butterflies on the Throttle Body, ensure no binding/sticking.