mamiata1

My wife has a 2002 V6 Mustang that won't hold idle. The car only has about 24,000 miles. Since it's been cold here in Michigan lately I thought maybe it was gasline freeze up so I added a can of gasline antifreeze (methyl alcohol). This seemed to work but the next day the same problem. If you give it any gas it will run, but take your foot off the pedal and it dies. It seems to be getting worse. Any chance this is a clogged fuel filter? What else would cause the car not to maintain idle?

I'm sure this isn't a fuel pump and that was already replaced under warranty.

neo8222

its the IAC on the intake, it controls the amount of air that can bypass the throttle blade. when it stops working the car stops idling, best thing is to buy a new one you can't really clean them.

mamiata1

You did all that stuff to a V6 Mustang? Ever get it dynoed?

Where's the best place to find cheap parts? Autozone wants $109.99 for a Duralast version and Auto Parts Warehouse wants $70.54 for the OEM Motorcraft IAC valve part with free shipping but I won't get it until sometime next week.

I'm not the greatest mechanic but at least this part was easy to get to and remove. Now I just have to find a new one. How often do these fail? I could probably pick one up at the junk yard.

RyansQuick6

You can clean the IAC, it's easy, just remove it and spray it with some brake cleaner to clear out all the crap from the pcv system. It works for everyone.

neo8222

unless the motor portion of it is broken, then cleaning it won't produce any change.

yeah all that is done to my car, never had it dynoed but when i finally get ahold of the m112 setup it'll scream with the mods

mamiata1

I might try cleaning it but it really doesn't look very dirty and I already ordered the part from Autopartswarehouse.com. The car only has about 24,000 miles. I'm surprized this part would fail so soon. From what you guys are saying it's not uncommon and yet none of the local auto parts stores stock this item. A few didn't even have it listed!

One more question. When I pulled this part off I thought I saw something fall through the engine compartment. I'm guessing it was the gasket. Oops. Tried to find it with a flashlight but no luck. I'm assuming the new part will come with a gasket but if I try to clean the old one do I need to make a new gasket?

mamiata1

Thanks guys for the help. I cleaned the part out with carburetor cleaner and made a new gasket. After I reinstalled the part the car started right up and idles just fine. Didn't cost me a penny except the new valve is on the way. Now I have to decide if I want to keep it in case this happens again or send it back.

Matt's 95 Stang

Its never bad to have a back up. But that isnt a part that will fail very often. And as you have found, its very easy to clean. I would send it back.

Matthew

jeffries7

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone involved in this thread i had the same exact problem had no idea where 2 start so i came 2 the board, found this thread and cleaned the iac and it worked like a charm i couldn't believe it thanks again everyone keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NeoTokyo

Yeah, the IAC can get gummed up easily but like said before it is very easy to clean.
I cleaned mine and it was perfect afterwords.

Your EGR can also get encrusted and that too is easy to clean/chip out and and work like new.