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Idle Control Valve

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Ever wonder how you get to enjoy feeling the air-conditioning (A/C) vents' breeze or listening to the radio even when your vehicle's just idling? Well, that's all in a day's work for your vehicle's idle control valve. Bolted to the throttle body lower housing at the back of a fuel-injected vehicle's engine, the idle control valve increases the engine's idle speed. During its idling, the engine produces just enough power to keep it and other auxiliary auto parts running. When your vehicle's computer senses that the engine's going to need more power to run smoothly during its idle status (to operate the radio and the A/C system, for example), the computer opens the idle control valve. The idle control valve then ups the engine's idle speed by allowing air to bypass the throttle plate. So when your vehicle's engine stalls when you kick your vehicle into idle mode, have a look at the idle control valve. When a replacement is due, you can get your next idle control valve right here at Carparts.


• Our idle control valves are guaranteed to regulate your engine's idle speed more efficiently.

• A premium idle control valve helps achieve efficient engine performance by maintaining the right engine idle speed.

• If the engine's idle speed drops below average levels, the idle control valve opens to increase airflow.

Idle Control Valve Articles

  • Idle Control Valve Installation in Five Easy Steps 11 January 2013

    Idling is one of the processes cars are most frequently exposed to. It is as common as starting the engine for everyday driving. As such, it is important to keep the idle control valve in a first-rate condition. When defect and damage strike, replacement should be an immediate option to maintain the ride's smooth idling.

    Required skill level: Novice

    Tools you'll need

    1. Scan tool
    2. Engine oil
    3. Shop rags

    Checking first if replacement is really necessary

    Although replacing the idle control valve is a relatively low-cost, easy process, we still advise verification of damage. To assess the quality of your current ICV, use the scan tool. The car's manual can also be of help in this process. Use it as a reference for the site of your vehicle's OBD1 or OBD2 connection. After locating it, turn on your engine for the scan tool to receive codes and then plug the scanner to the OBD. Select the right procedure to read the code. If the resistance reading is outside the specifications in the car's manual, replacement is really needed.

    Locating the idle control valve in your car

    Pop the hood and access the idle control valve. It is usually at the top-center of the engine, attached to the throttle. In some models, like the Crown Vic and Grand Marquis, the ICV can be accessed at the back of the air intake section, where one would expect a carburetor. It is only a small device, almost the size of your hand.

    Disconnecting the valve

    Pull out the electrical connector from the ICV. You will also see two bolts and an exhaust hose attached to the valve. With a socket wrench, remove the bolts first, followed by the gasket. Once these have been detached, unplug the exhaust hose by twisting the ICV a little.

    Cleaning the sealing surface

    Use the shop rag to clean the sealing surface and the throttle body assembly. A clean area is also necessary in the upkeep of the ICV.

    Installing the new ICV

    After cleaning the mounting surfaces, assemble the new idle control valve. Don't forget to apply some clean engine oil to the gasket prior to the installation. Set up the ICV in almost the same manner as the old valve was detached. Tighten the bolts and plug the electrical wirings. To check if the installation was successful, conduct a test drive, but don't forget to erase the codes and commands on the scan tool first. Happy idling!

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