IACV/IAC SENSOR
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IACV/IAC SENSOR
The idle air control (IAC) valve is located on the throttle body of fuel-injected engines, where it works with the vehicle's ECU to electrically regulate airflow to the engine to ensure smooth idling.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Idle Air Control Valve
Should your idle develop a nervous quibble, it’s one way your car is telling you that there’s a problem that needs resolving. Idle problems can often, but not always, stem from a failing or clogged idle air control valve, a small part adjacent to the throttle body that does exactly what its name indicates. Fortunately for the garage greasers out there, it’s typically a fairly easy part to access, service, and replace.
To help those who aren’t as grubby as we are, The Drive has put together a helpful, but to-the-point, guide with everything you need to know about idle air control valves. Let’s get to it.
What Is a MOTORCYCLE’s Idle?
The idle speed is the speed at which your engine is operating while the MC is operating without any throttle inputs. The MC’s idle speed is displayed in revolutions per minute (RPM) on the tachometer in the dashboard gauge cluster. Simply put, when you’re in park and start the MC, the MOTORCYCLE is then idling.
What Is a Normal Idle Speed?
The typical consumer MOTORCYCLE will idle somewhere in the range of 1450-1700 RPM, depending on the vehicle. It might also start at a higher RPM, by 600-800 RPM, before dropping down to its normal operating speed. Consult your owner’s manual to find your specific MC’s normal speed.
High-strung performance CARS may have higher idles, and motorcycles have idles that range between 2,500-4,000 RPM.
What Is an Idle Air Control Valve’s Job?
The idle air control valve controls the air needed to maintain a steady idle speed. It essentially acts as a bypass of the throttle body plate.
Where Is the Idle Air Control Valve Located?
The idle air control valve is typically found attached to the throttle body.
Most Common Idle Air Control Valve Issues
Two common issues can arise in an idle air control valve, clogging and failing, and each requires your adept wrenching hand at fixing.
Clogged
Due to the flow of air in and out of the idle air control valve, it’s possible for contaminants to enter the valve chamber. These particles or contaminants could clog, jam, or damage the part’s internals and cause an improperly functioning valve.
Failing
If the solenoid inside the idle air control valve fails, the valve no longer receives an electrical signal, or seals wear down, the valve won’t be able to do its job, and the car likely won’t be able to start.
Symptoms Of a Clogged or Bad Idle Air Control Valve
There are several ways your vehicle could tell you its idle air control valve is in trouble. Know, however, that these symptoms are quite general and are not 100% accurate diagnoses. If you inspect, clean, or replace, your valve, the idle issues might persist due to other problems within the engine.
Trouble Starting
If an engine isn’t getting enough air, it might not start or will have difficulty starting. This could indicate an issue with the idle air control valve.
Poor/Rough Idling
When the source of air into the engine is inconsistent, it will create a glugging, hesitating, and revving and dying sound. You’ll know something is up.
Starts, Then Dies
If the valve works occasionally, or it only works in certain parts of its cycle, the car might be able to start before it starves of air and dies.
Backfiring
If the engine doesn’t have enough air, the air-to-fuel mixture ratio is off, and some fuel might be left after the spark. This fuel then makes its way through the system and could cause a backfire.
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