Bad Idle Air Control Valve Symptoms | The Ultimate Guide

Idle Air Control Valve Symptoms

Have you ignited your car and wondered what’s wrong with it? You may feel that the check engine light is always on even if your car is working fine on the road. Alternatively, your cars make weird motions and noise while getting started. All these are bad air idle control valve symptoms that need to be looked into before things get nasty. 

When the idle of your car begins to make an annoying nagging sound, it is trying to notify you that something is wrong and needs to be fixed. Idling problems are often brought on by a faulty or malfunctioning idle control valve, but this is by no means the only factor that might play a role.

If the idle control valve fails to function properly, it can cause many issues, some of which may even render the car unsafe to use in extreme circumstances. If the driver is paying attention, there are usually a few warning indications they may look out for if the idle control valve is not functioning correctly.

What is Idle Air Control?

Idle control valves, often called idle air control valves, are a principal throttle control component found in most modern vehicles. These valves are crucial in managing the engine’s idle speed, adjusting it higher or lower based on current operating conditions. Typically, idle control valves are motorized devices installed within the engine.

The engine control module governs the valve or motor’s idle speed, considering factors such as engine temperature and electrical system load. These valves control the volume of air entering the engine while the car idles.

Although your engine may maintain a steady idle speed or RPM, the engine’s impulses actually fluctuate. Hence, it’s vital to ensure that air control valves function correctly. At one point, nearly every vehicle featured an idle air control valve as standard equipment.

This simple yet effective method of regulating idle speed operates by altering the airflow around the throttle plate. For those driving a vehicle with an idle air control valve, it’s essential to recognize the warning signs of a malfunctioning valve and learn the proper inspection procedures.

Bad Air Idle Control Valve Symptoms

Here are some of the most common symptoms you should look out for to maintain the good health of an Idle air control valve. 

• Uneven Idle Speed 
• Check Engine Light is on 
• Engine Fail
• Engine backfire
• Rough Idle 
• Stalling under load 

Uneven Idle Speed 

An irregular idle speed is one of the most common symptoms that the idle air control valve is not functioning properly. A valve that controls the amount of air that goes into the motor is responsible for overseeing and maintaining the engine’s idle speed. 

If the valve develops difficulties or malfunctions, it can potentially throw off the idle speed. As a result, the engine’s idle speed may become excessively high or low, or it may lurch violently up and down in both directions.  If your car is experiencing such symptoms, you might want to get it checked with an authorized service center to ensure that the valve is working properly. 

Check Engine Light is on 

The primary computer in your vehicle, commonly called the powertrain control module (PCM), oversees and manages the idle air control. If the module identifies an issue with the idle air control, it triggers the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) and the check engine light, signaling a potential engine problem.

This is one of the most common symptoms of a bad idle air control valve and must not be ignored at any cost. 

Engine Fail

A more severe indication of a malfunctioning idle control valve is engine failure. If the idle control valve ceases to operate entirely, the vehicle may struggle to maintain a stable idle.

The engine could shut down during operation, and in extreme cases, it might fail to function, coming to a halt as soon as the car is started.

Engine backfire

When you observe fumes coming out of your car’s exhaust system, this is an example of a backfire. Once combustion has occurred outside the engine’s combustion chambers, the engine will inevitably backfire.

The backfire from the car can also be a clue that your valve is not working properly. It can also be a symptom of another engine problem, which needs to be checked immediately. 

If you want to determine whether or not the faulty idle air control valve is causing the backfires, revving the engine will help. Allow your car to slow down, and remain vigilant for jerking movements.

After that, check to see if no cracks or holes are there in the exhaust system. If there are such jerking symptoms, the possibilities are that your air control valve is malfunctioning. 

Rough Idle 

You need a reliable idle air control valve to ensure a comfortable, stable temperature within your vehicle’s engine compartment during idle periods. If this valve malfunctions, your car’s engine will experience a shaky idle, which could stem from various issues.

These unsettling tremors from the rough idling might arise each time you halt your engine while it’s still operational. Due to a lack of sufficient airflow, your engine will quiver noticeably when at rest.

Stalling under load 

There would be moments when your engine would stall all by itself, and then there would be other occasions when increasing the load on your engine would cause your car to stall.

If the idle air control valve on your car is broken, turning on the heater or air conditioner will almost certainly cause the engine to cut off immediately.

It is possible that letting the engine rest for a few minutes and turning off the heater, the air conditioner, and any other equipment in the car will help alleviate the problem until you can get it addressed at the repair shop.

How to Test A Car With Bad Idle Air Control Valve Symptoms

Vacuum leaks and electrical issues, among other factors, could create the illusion of a faulty idle air control valve. It is crucial to examine the functioning of your existing idle air control valve before rushing to purchase a new one.

The most straightforward method for testing an idle air control valve is utilizing a scan tool provided by the car’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM). If a scanner claims to be OEM-level, it is functionally equivalent to the factory tool used by dealerships. For many vehicles, OEM-designed scan tools can bypass the PCM entirely.

To increase the idle speed, the valve should be gradually opened; conversely, to lower the speed, it should be slowly closed. If the idle air control does not respond to the scanner’s commands, the valve is defective, or its control circuit is damaged.

We recognize that some individuals may not have the time or inclination to follow these guidelines. If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is advisable to contact a service center and have your vehicle inspected.

How To Test Your Idle Air Control Valve 

A bad air idle control value is easy to spot. However, considering the various other conditions, it might not hit you right away that the valve needs attention. Thus conducting this easy-to-do and quick test, which I’ll be shedding light on in a few seconds, is a beautiful way to determine your valve car’s valve condition.

Switch off your AC and music system, then tune in to your vehicle’s melody. Next, keep an eye on your RPM gauge. Ideally, for most passenger cars, the RPM should fall between 600 and 1000.

Fascinatingly, if your RPMs are dipping too low, it could indicate an issue with your car’s valves or a significant vacuum leak lurking. On the flip side, if the RPMs are soaring high, it’s a telltale sign that your IAC valve might need a good scrub or even a replacement.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Now that we have covered everything related to a bad idle air control valve symptoms, it is time to answer some frequently asked questions that car owners have, to help them gain more clarity on the subject. 

How do I know if my idle air control valve is bad?

There are many symptoms in a car that can help you know whether your air control valve is bad and needs checking immediately. We have covered most of them in the article above. To summarize, here are the symptoms you should look out for that can show whether your air control valve is working properly. 

1. Check engine light is on 
2. Engine keeps failing 
3. Too much load causes stalling
4. Uneven idle speed
5. Engine backfire
6. Rough Idle 

What happens if the idle air control valve is stuck open?

If an idle air control valve is stuck open, it may cause damage to the engine. It will create a high air-fuel ratio in the engine, keeping it warm even when not working. While running, since the engine is automatically warm, it can stop working when it reaches high RPM. 

What will a bad idle air control valve do?

A bad idle air control valve will inhibit air flow to the engine. Therefore, your engine may not perform up to the mark due to this. One of the most common effects of a bad engine is engine stalling, which may occur after running for a specific time or immediately after the ignition. This also affects engine health. 

How to clean a bad idle air control valve?

First, to clean an air control valve, unscrew it, and detach all the wires. The finest way to clean it is to soak it in gasoline and blow compressed air into it. You can also utilize a premium quality degreaser and a toothbrush to scrap off the edges.

How much does it cost to fix an idle air control valve?

When I say fix, the only way to fix an idle air valve is to replace it, which will cost you somewhere between $200 to $600. In that cost, the past alone will cost you around $80 – $400, depending on the model of your vehicle. The labor costs must be somewhere around $50 – $100 as replacing an old idle by removing and attaching a new one is not that time-consuming.

Conclusion

We have tried to cover all the symptoms of a bad idle air control valve that can potentially damage a car. A car is a big investment, and any harm to the engine is an expensive loss. Therefore, it is essential that the engine health is checked from time to time and all the parts, including an idle air control valve, are kept in proper condition with necessary maintenance.