Hunting rpm

[dave]

My bike has been exhibiting this hunting RPM for several months now. Sometimes too low, and stalling, and sometimes too high (about 1,500). The hunting went away for about two months, but the first time I rode it for an extended time around town with lots of stop & go, waiting for red lights, slow speeds and low RPM between stop lights, the low idle speed and stalling returned. Last weekend after it stalled the second time and I restarted it it suddenly went from idling too slow to idling too fast. Another member who visits this forum alerted us that the high speed idle on his bike was the result of a faulty Engine Oil Temperature (EOT) gauge. Two nights ago, when the high speed idle returned, I reached in with a gloved hand and pulled the wire off the EOT sensor. Magically the RPM returned to exactly 1,000 (it was at 1,500). The check engine light came on also. I turned the engine off, reconnected the EOT wire and restarted the engine and the high idle returned. So just yesterday I ordered an EOT sensor from my dealer. I have two questions: 1. I have proven a faulty EOT sensor will cause the idle speed to go high, but can it work both ways? 2. How can I test the new EOT sensor to ensure it is good before installing it?