Ford Escort engine revs on its own sometimes have cleaned the throttle sensor works ok 4 a bit

Hi, its a very common problem on the Escort. If the revs stay high or fluctuate when you are driving and at the traffic lights it will be the idle speed control valve. You can clean them with carb cleaner but this will only be a temporary fix. You can get a new one off eBay for approx £30. It is located at the rear of the engine below the throttle housing. Two bolts hold it on. Dont buy a used one as they will nearly all be as dirty as the one you have.

remove the idle speed controller from the car when not using for a few days and soak the valve in petrol this will loosen cardon deposits and then clean up after with carb / injector cleaner and work the valve in and out to loosen carbon from the bores of the valve too