How do you test a Ford idle air control valve?

To check if an idle control valve is working properly, start by turning on your engine and letting it run for a minute or 2. Then, when it's at an idling speed, take note of the RPMs in your car. Next, turn the engine off and disconnect the idle control motor under your hood.

Correspondingly, how do I test a idle air control valve with a multimeter?

To test the coil driver circuits in the IAC valve:

Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between pins 3 and 2 on the IAC valve.
Resistance should be 10-14 ohms.
Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance between pins 1 and 2 on the IAC valve.
Resistance should be 10-14 ohms.

Beside above, how do I reset my idle air control valve? Reset the IAC valve pintle position by performing the following:

Depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Start the engine and run for 5 seconds.
Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position for 10 seconds.
Restart the engine and check for proper idle operation.

Likewise, what are the symptoms of a bad idle air control valve?

Usually a bad or failing idle control valve will produce a few symptoms that can alert the driver of a potential issue.

Irregular idle speed. One of the most common symptoms associated with a problematic idle air control valve is irregular idle speed.
Check Engine Light comes on.
Engine stalling.

How do you clean an IAC valve on a Ford?

Clean and Install the IAC Valve

Clean the valve intake ports and the throttle-mounting surface and mating ports using carburetor cleaner.
Wipe the valve ports clean with a swab and the throttle mating ports with a clean shop towel or rag.
Set the clean IAC valve in place along with a new valve gasket if equipped.

36 Related Question Answers Found

What should happen if you unplug your IAC?

Re: what actually happens when you disconnect the IAC? With the IAC unplugged you will see the RPM vary with weather, with engine temperature, and in or out of gear. It also doesn't cure surging and stalling like you'de think it would. It just doesn't work so well for a daily driver.

Can a throttle position sensor be cleaned?

Cleaning the throttle body itself can be done using carburetor fluid and a clean cloth for the removal of light sludge. During this process, the throttle position sensor should not be cleaned due to the possibility of contamination or wire damage.

What causes RPMs to fluctuate at idle?

When the engine is warmed up, I notice that the RPM needle varies from 700 to 900rpm. Erratic engine idle can be caused by various factors, but the most common and likely cause is a dirty or malfunctioning Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor.

Where is idle control valve located?

The idle air control valve (IAC) is located near the throttle body of the intake manifold in most cases. Additional designs include rubber hoses running from the throttle body and air intake tube to a remote valve.

How do I reset my idle speed?

To reset the IAC valve pintle position proceed as follows:

Block the drive wheels, then apply the parking brake firmly.
Start the engine, then hold the engine speed above 2,000 rpm.
Turn the ignition OFF , then restart the engine and check for proper idle operation.

Where is the throttle position sensor located?

The Throttle Position (TP) Sensor is located on the bulkhead, above the accelerator pedal. The Throttle Position (TP) Sensor is located on the bulkhead, above the accelerator pedal.

What are the symptoms of a bad throttle position sensor?

Here are some common symptoms of a bad or failing throttle position sensor to watch for:

Car won't accelerate, lacks power when accelerating, or accelerates itself.
Engine won't idle smoothly, idles too slowly, or stalls.
Car accelerates, but won't exceed a relatively low speed, or shift up.

Can you clean a idle control valve?

Spray the unit with choke/carburetor cleaner and use a cleaning rag to remove all carbon buildup from the idle air control valve. Work the spindle back and forth to clean away all deposits found there. Also clean the throttle body while the butterfly valve is exposed.

What causes low idle and stalling?

The engine may also be leaking vacuum around the base of the carburetor, vacuum hoses or the EGR valve. Any of these conditions can upset the fuel calibration of the engine and cause a stalling problem. Intermittent stalling can also be caused by a bad idle air bypass motor or a idle speed control motor.

Will a bad IAC cause loss of power?

The same happens with the power steering, which also uses electricity and increases the load in the IAC. Eventually, it will stop working and prevent the engine from working correctly. You may not experience a completely stalled engine, but a significant loss in RPM, which is another clear sign the IAC is faulty.

What does the throttle position sensor do?

The throttle position sensor (TPS) is part of your vehicle's fuel management system and helps ensure that the correct mixture of air and fuel is delivered to your engine. The TPS provides the most direct signal to the fuel injection system of what power demands are being made by the engine.

Can idle control valve cause misfire?

The engine may be stalling because it isn't getting enough throttle opening. The cause is often a problem in the idle air control system. The first thing to check is the intake vacuum with a vacuum gauge. An EGR valve that is leaking can also act like a vacuum leak and cause a random misfire.

Can IAC cause your car not to start?

A faulty IAC can also cause a crank no start. You also have a code for the oil psi sensor which can also cause a no start on some vehicles. This may require that you track down a service manual for the vehicle you're working on.

How do you reset throttle position sensor?

The easiest way to reset your throttle position sensor is to unhook the negative cable from your battery for up to five minutes or to remove the fuse for your engine control module.

Why does my RPM go up and down while in park?

The idle is controlled by the idle air control valve and if it cannot keep the engine idling it will keep trying to rev the engine up to compensate. A vacuum leak, sensor that has failed, or an EGR system malfunction could potentially be the cause of the erratic engine you're experiencing.

What should the throttle position be at idle?

At idle is should be zero or a couple of degrees. Press down on the gas pedal very S-L-O-W-L-Y until the throttle is all the way open. You should see the percentage of throttle opening gradually increase to 100 percent at wide open throttle.

Can idle air control valve be adjusted?

A combination of this air flow and IAC pintle positioning allows the PCM to control engine idle speed. During normal engine idle operation, the IAC valve pintle is positioned a calibrated number of steps (counts) from the seat. No adjustment is required during routine maintenance.