How To: Cleaning an idle air control valve.

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SmokedRam

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Well, my truck was past due for this, so I figured while doing it, I'd snap some pics and make a brief how to on it.

First off, some symptoms of a dirty idle air control valve are:
Engine has a rough idle, might even sound like a miss.
Engine want to "hunt" an idle speed.
Engine hard to start, may require pressing the accelerator to get it to crank.
Stalling at idle.

Now onto the good stuff. First thing you want to do when messing with any sensor is take the battery cables off the battery.

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Next locate the idle air control valve. It is just below and forward of the throttle position sensor, attached to the throttle body with one T25 torx screw. You can plainly see it in the pic below, plugged into the connector with the red tab on it.

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Next, disconnect the connector and use a T25 torx bit to remove the screw. Then it will come out of the throttle body. If its never been removed, it might take a little force to remove it. But be careful, as there are O rings to seal it that you don't want to damage. Here is mine removed, notice how YUKKIE it is.

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Now, take some carb and throttle cleaner and spray it to remove all the gunk and carbon off of it. DO NOT insert anything into the valve to clean the inside, as you might push back the plunger and then this easy job becomes a PITA and these things are $67 each at Advance. Here's mine all cleaned up.

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Now, don't go throw it on the truck just yet, let it sit and air dry for about 15-20 minutes. Then you can go ahead and reinstall it. By this time, since you disconnected the battery first, your PCM will be reset after you install it. Now you're good to go.
 

datan556

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Would it be roughly the same steps on a 2010 model?

Truck has recently starting stalling at low speeds and when braking for a roundabout.

Oil light came on just before stalling.

Might be the cause right?
 

daveray9

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anyone know how the 09+ trucks control idle? They don't have an IAC on the throttle body...
 

Artnes

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Bump.

My 2011 is having the exact same issue and shutting off during a low idle at a stop.

It seems to be more frequent in colder weather as we have had a cold snap recently. -20c or colder lately and it's happen 6 times in 2 weeks



Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk
 

daveray9

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Curious myself for my 2012.

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Drv

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How often should this be done?
 

Vytasb

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Just did mine. Idle is a bit more stable. Pics don't work, which would have been nice but the text is enough.
 

Aron

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2011 did anyone ever find out what to do to fix this problem? Help please because I'm tired of chasing dead ends
 
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