My car has been driving me crazy for about a year or more with a low idle that intermittantly stalls the car out. It's impossible to predict and often reproduce, except at the most inconvienent times. i.e. when I stopped in traffic, or when I drop into neutral going around corners (not that easy with no power steering)

My garage is reluctant to change parts, unless they know they are broken, because they are not sure what the problem might be..

I've heard Idle Control Valve, etc.

Has anyone solved a similar problem successfully?

help me out.

ksouls

 

Hi welcome to the forums... when is the last time you did a tune up? ie Fuel Filter?? wires?? etc....

 

In the last few years, I've done a full vacuum hose replace and scheduled servicing. I really do take care of the car.

No sure about the fuel filter, but I'll check.

Any other ideas

 

My car has the same problem. I did some research and found that it could be the Idle Control Valve, like you thought. I also found a good text that explains the problem and part of the solution:http://member.rivernet.com.au/btaylo...trolValve.html

Does NE1 know WHERE our ICV is and how to clean/replace/adjust it?

doesn't sound to hard to do but knowledge is better then going in blind.

 

here you go how to with pics

 

I think you just made my week.. thank you SOOO much

 

http://12v.org/maintenance/repairs/isv.php

 

Before you go replacing parts, this symptom is classic for a dirty throttle control body. Get some throttle body cleaner, remove the throttle body, spray, Gently scrub the accumulated crud with a toothbrush (Warning, do not use your spouses toothbrush! ). Clean both sides of the butterfly valve and pay attention to where it closes. That should cure the problem.

 

On a 97 12 valve that is easier said than done. I changed my throttle body and that was a pain in the arese!

Throttle body removal for 12v engines