The Idle Circuit
The first thing we should talk about is the engine’s idle circuit. I’m going to cover a fuel-injected engine here. Carbureted engine idle problems are handled differently. Since there are so many different configurations used depending on make and model, I’m only going to speak in general terms.
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One of the prime suspects here is the idle air control valve, or IAC. This is an electronic motor that varies an opening in the intake that allows air to bypass the throttle plate when it’s closed. The amount of air needed to maintain your idle is calculated by the computer. The computer dictates an IAC positioning based on inputs from the engine’s sensors, usually:
- Coolant temp
- RPM
- Air temp
- MAP sensor readings
- BARO sensor readings
- O2 sensor readings when in closed loop
- Air fuel sensors or AF sensors (similar to O2 sensors but a little fancier)
- MAF sensors if equipped
- TPS sensor
- Load sensors such as the type for power steering pressure
- AC clutch activation
Those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. I have a reason for listing all of these sensors. If you have a check engine light on for any for the above sensors, repair that fault first, then recheck for your idle problem.
I’ve had many people come to me and say that they’ve cleaned their IAC valve and still have an idle problem. Personally, I haven’t had much luck cleaning IAC valves. I recommend replacement instead of cleaning if you find yours to be bad. I’m not saying don’t clean them, because you might just get lucky, but if cleaning doesn’t work, then you might end up having to replace it.
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Video Title: The Idle Circuit – Solving Idle Problems – EricTheCarGuy Video Description: In this topic, The Idle Circuit, we look at the idle system on your engine and how to fix it.Thumbnail: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/images/faq_buttons/Large_FAQ_Images/Idle-Issues-icon-large.png
1 thought on “The Idle Circuit”
Louie cordiva
May 22, 2020 at 11:22 pm
So I’m looking at this 2000 civic that someone did a swap on. The swap they put in was a d16z6 from civics and delsols up to the year 1995. Now there is a hunting idle issue. With a po505 code. The throttle body was replaced with a junkyard part along with the iac valve before me getting it. Except it’s looking like the throttle body installed is from the same year as the car. So my question is can there be a communication issue between the pcm and the iac?