Circuit Description
The control module controls idle speed with an idle air control (IAC) valve. The desired RPM is based on sensor inputs and the actual engine RPM. Four circuits are used in order to control the IAC valve, allowing a precise amount of air into the intake manifold. In order to increase the idle RPM, the control module will command the valve pintle to move away from its seat, allowing more air to bypass the throttle plate. To decrease RPM, the control module commands the IAC pintle to move closer to its seat, causing a lower airflow to bypass the throttle plate. A scan tool will display the control module commands to the IAC valve in counts. The higher the counts, the more air is allowed to bypass the throttle plate. Lower counts indicate that less air is commanded by the control module.
Conditions for Running the DTC
| • | No active throttle position (TP) sensor DTCs |
| • | No active vehicle speed sensor (VSS) DTCs |
| • | No active engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor DTCs |
| • | No active manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor DTCs |
| • | The ECT is more than 50°C (122°F). |
| • | The system voltage is between 10-16 volts. |
| • | The intake air temperature (IAT) is more than -25°C (-13°F). |
| • | The engine has been running for more than 30 seconds. |
| • | The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 70 kPa. |
| • | The mass air flow (MAF) is between 17.5-50 g/s. |
| • | The vehicle speed is between 40-136 km/h (25-85 mph). |
| • | Any change in throttle position is more than 1 percent. |
| • | Any change in engine speed is more than 50 RPM. |
| • | The idle air control (IAC) valve was commanded to move a specified number of counts. |
| • | The above conditions are present for more than 3 seconds. |
Conditions for Setting the DTC
The change in MAF is above 3 g/s.
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
| • | The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) if a failure is detected during 2 consecutive key cycles. |
| • | The control module sets the DTC and records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic failed. The failure information is stored in the scan tool Freeze Frame/Failure Records. |
Conditions for Clearing the MIL or DTC
| • | The control module turns OFF the MIL after 3 consecutive drive trips when the test has run and passed. |
| • | A history DTC will clear if no fault conditions have been detected for 40 warm-up cycles. A warm-up cycle occurs when the coolant temperature has risen 22°C (40°F) from the startup coolant temperature and the engine coolant reaches a temperature that is more than 70°C (158°F) during the same ignition cycle. |
| • | Use a scan tool in order to clear the DTCs. |
Diagnostic Aids
The following items could cause this DTC:
| • | A stuck IAC valve cannot respond to the VCM. |
| • | A throttle stop screw that has been tampered with. |
| • | A damaged throttle shaft, plate. or linkage. |
A slow, unstable, or fast idle may be caused by a non-IAC system problem that cannot be overcome by the IAC valve. IAC scan tool counts that are out of range control will read more than 60 if the idle is too low and zero if the idle is too high.
Inspect for the following conditions:
| • | A too lean or too rich fuel system |
| • | Foreign material in the throttle body bore |
| • | Vacuum leaks |
IAC reset is done with the scan tool.
Inspect for intermittents. Refer to Symptoms .
An intermittent may be caused by any of the following conditions:
| • | A poor connection |
| • | Rubbed through wire insulation |
| • | A broken wire inside the insulation |
Thoroughly inspect any circuitry that is suspected of causing the intermittent complaint. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems.
If a repair is necessary, refer to Wiring Repairs or Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Test Description
The numbers below refer to the numbers in the diagnostic table.
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The IAC reset function used in this step only energizes the circuit for 2 seconds, so this function will have to be used repeatedly during this step. Also it is recommended that the connector test adapter kit be used during this procedure to prevent terminal damage to the IAC harness connector.
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If the test lamp remained ON at any of the IAC valve harness connector terminals during the IAC valve reset function the circuit is shorted to voltage. If these circuits are checked before or after the IAC valve reset function it is possible that any combination of IAC circuits could illuminate a test lamp, this would be a normal condition.
Step | Action | Values | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Did you perform the Powertrain On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) System Check? | -- | ||
2 |
Does the engine speed correspond, within 100 RPM, to the commanded speeds? | 1,200 RPM 500 RPM | Go to Diagnostic Aids | |
3 |
Are the resistances within the specified range? | 40-80 ohms | ||
4 |
Are the resistances across the terminals infinite? | ∞ | ||
Caution: Avoid contact with moving parts and hot surfaces while working around a running engine in order to prevent physical injury. Important: Command the reset IAC function ON for each circuit tested. This function will only flash each circuit for 2 seconds. Does the test lamp flash at all terminals? | -- | |||
Does the test lamp remain ON at any of the terminals during the IAC valve reset function? | -- | |||
7 | Test for an open or a short to ground in the IAC valve circuit that did not flash the test lamp. Did you find a problem? | -- | ||
8 | Test for a short to voltage in the IAC valve circuit where the test lamp remained ON. Did you find a problem? | -- | ||
9 |
Did you find a problem? | -- | Go to Diagnostic Aids | |
10 | Inspect for a poor connection at the VCM. Did you find a problem? | -- | ||
11 | Repair the circuit as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs or to Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems. Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
12 | Clean the IAC valve and the passages. Refer to the Cleaning and Inspection Procedure in Idle Air Control Valve Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
13 | Replace the IAC valve. Refer to Idle Air Control Valve Replacement . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
14 |
Important: The replacement VCM must be programmed. Replace the VCM. Refer to VCM Replacement/Programming . Is the action complete? | -- | -- | |
15 |
Does the scan tool indicate the diagnostic Passed? | -- | ||
16 | Does the scan tool display any additional undiagnosed DTCs? | -- | Go to the applicable DTC table | System OK |
