How To Clean Idle Air Control

(Updated on November 24, 2021)

The idle air control valve manages the corporeality of air which flows into your engine. This, in turn, allows the valve to manage the idle speed of the engine.

Of form, the engine control module communicates with the idle air control valve. It is what tells the valve when to open or close, resulting in more than or less air flowing to the engine.

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The engine idle speed refers to the number of RPM (revolutions per infinitesimal) while the vehicle is not moving. Based on the current conditions, the RPM adjusts appropriately by letting in just the right amount of air into the engine.

Notwithstanding, when your idle air control valve becomes muddied or clogged, the idling process is more difficult. Suddenly, the engine's RPM will be more difficult to manage. That is why you lot need to clean your idle air control valve periodically. The longer you wait to clean the valve, the more frequent your engine will idle rough.

Testing and Cleaning the Idle Air Control Valve

How will yous know whether your idle air control valve is dirty or not working altogether? Well, you tin can use a multimeter to determine whether the valve is working.

If the test shows that it is working, so it means your valve is only muddy. But if the test shows the valve is not working, so you need to replace your valve.

The tools and accessories you will demand to practise the test include a screwdriver, multimeter, socket wrench, electronic parts cleaner, and likely a 10mm socket.

Test and Clean Procedure

Open the hood of your vehicle. Go behind the engine and unscrew the idle air control valve from the throttle body.
Pull the electrical plug off the control valve. If the top has a release tab, then squeeze that as y'all pull.
Take out the idle control valve and flip it over. You should run into the valve openings there.
Have your multimeter and fix information technology to "Ohms."
One multimeter lead should touch on one end of the valve final, and the other lead should practise the same for the other stop. The normal reading is between 0.00 and 0.05. Anything outside of this ways your idle air control valve is bad.
If your valve had a normal reading, then inspect the valve openings and encounter if at that place is any clay in them. You should see dirt on the sensor if the valve is functional.
Now comes time to clean. Spray an electronic parts cleaner solution onto the sensor of the valve. Let the fluid drain through the openings of the valve.
Once the fluid is drained, go on waiting until the sensor is totally dry out. After that, screw the valve back onto the throttle body. Basically, start from step # 3 and and so become in reverse.