How to clean your IAC (Idle Air Controller) valve

I realize this is an old thread, but I'm a new 05 owner and have this problem, so I have two questions. Does the TB cleaner method work on the later style of TB. Someone else asked, but I didn't see an answer. If it does, could it take multiple cans of cleaner? Mine worked until I reattached the air intake assembly.
BTW this started after I filled up with gas, (name brand).
Thanks in advance
Paul
 
BTW this started after I filled up with gas, (name brand).

When you say that, do you mean that you stopped for gas, filled up, re-started your TJ, and it started running rough? If so, did the rough running stop when you started driving or did it continue? Finally, if it continued, but eventually cleared up, it's not likely the IAC, but rather the EVAP/Purge Solenoid. Keep reading if so. Otherwise, if the rough running only occurred at idle and never resolved itself, the IAC is a likely culprit.

You can download a Factory Service Manual from the TJ Resources section here on the forum. When you do, you'll find a description of how the thing works on pdf page 1665, along with this picture of where it can be found (it's #2) on pdf page 1666:

1714687405187.webp


The EVAP/Purge Solenoid is an electronic valve that the EVAP system (coded into the logic of the PCM) uses to dump fuel vapors from the charcoal canister to the intake manifold at certain times, to burn those vapors up instead of releasing them into the air. The problem is that the solenoid can fail in the open position, and then, when the PCM runs in open loop, the engines runs rich, and that causes the rough running. It's especially evident after filling up because the refueling process stirs up a lot of vapors in the tank and vent system. It eventually clears up because either those vapors get completely burned up as you drive or the system goes into closed loop at some point and the O2 sensors pick up the rich condition and the PCM reduces the injector pulse-width to get back to a proper air/fuel ratio.

Welcome to the best TJ forum in the Universe!
 
I stooped to buy gas. Fill her up, and in about 2 miles it would no longer idle. It died every time I let off the gas. CEL came on. Stayed that way for the 200 plus mile trip home. Parked for a day, then it worked fine, (cel still on) for about 8 miles the same thing. Gave a P0508 Idle Air Control Circuit Low. Cleared it. Did TB cleaner thing and that worked for a short time, so I reconnected the air intake tude and it failed again.
 
Gave a P0508 Idle Air Control Circuit Low.

That code and those symptoms are definitely an IAC problem, and I don't think re-fueling had anything to do with it. Grab the 2005 Powertrain Diagnostic Procedures Manual from the TJ Resources forum (it's the last one in the list here) to find the troubleshooting charts for that code (it's on pages 188-189). Here's the first part, showing when it's monitored, what triggers it, and possible causes:

1714696491848.webp
 
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Well, I noticed that spraying the throttle body itself with cleaner wasn't getting the TB itself any cleaner so I wondered if I was getting the same results in the IAC. I tried actually wiping the TB with a cleaner soaked rag, and saw minimal difference, so I pulled the whole assy off and removed the IAC from the TB. It took quite a bit of scrubbing to clean the TB it self and the IAC was totally gunked up. Also the IAC itself was different from any of the ones I saw described. It was only attached with one screw. After some intricate scrubbing and a LOT of TB cleaner the plunger started moving again. I made sure that anything I could reach got a good cleaning. While all this was happening I had the battery disconnected so that, hopefully, the computer would forget the previous state. I reinstalled everything and viola! She runs correctly again. I drove it around for a few hours and she didn't stall, throw any codes, or turn on the CEL. Thank you sab for the guidance. It really helped!
 
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Did this job today. The biggest hurdle I ran into when disassembling the throttle body was the screws holding the IAC housing to the throttle body. They weren't standard T20 Torx, they were safety Torx. So I had to go buy a safety Torx bit set to do the job.

Let's hope this fixes the intermittent high idle in park/neutral for me.
 
Did this job today. The biggest hurdle I ran into when disassembling the throttle body was the screws holding the IAC housing to the throttle body. They weren't standard T20 Torx, they were safety Torx. So I had to go buy a safety Torx bit set to do the job.

Let's hope this fixes the intermittent high idle in park/neutral for me.

Let us know.
 
If you're experiencing idle issues on your Jeep Wrangler TJ the most likely culprit (and the first thing you should check) is your IAC (Idle Air Controller). Often times the IAC gets very gunked up causing the Jeep to idle improperly. A simple cleaning is usually all it takes to get it running as good as new.

If you end up needing to replace your IAC valve (they do fail on occasion), you can find the part numbers (and the links to purchase them on Amazon) below:

2005-2006 IAC Valve (Part # 4861552AC)
1997-2004 IAC Valve (Part # 4874373AB)

There is no need at all to remove the throttle body to clean the IAC. This is probably one of the easiest and cheapest things you can do.

Below you'll see a diagram of the top of your throttle body with the IAC sensor labeled.

View attachment 14140

Take your IAC off (it's held on by two small torx screws). Clean it with your throttle body cleaner, this is what it will look like before and after.

View attachment 1798

View attachment 1799

Then take off the IAC housing and both sides (house and throttle body). clean that too. before and after...

View attachment 1800

View attachment 1801

View attachment 1802

Put it all back together and you're good to go. Very, very simple. It doesn't get any easier than this!

Will there need to be any rvt or gasket on the IAC housing when you put it back on the throttle body?
 
If you're experiencing idle issues on your Jeep Wrangler TJ the most likely culprit (and the first thing you should check) is your IAC (Idle Air Controller). Often times the IAC gets very gunked up causing the Jeep to idle improperly. A simple cleaning is usually all it takes to get it running as good as new.

If you end up needing to replace your IAC valve (they do fail on occasion), you can find the part numbers (and the links to purchase them on Amazon) below:

2005-2006 IAC Valve (Part # 4861552AC)
1997-2004 IAC Valve (Part # 4874373AB)

There is no need at all to remove the throttle body to clean the IAC. This is probably one of the easiest and cheapest things you can do.

Below you'll see a diagram of the top of your throttle body with the IAC sensor labeled.

View attachment 14140

Take your IAC off (it's held on by two small torx screws). Clean it with your throttle body cleaner, this is what it will look like before and after.

View attachment 1798

View attachment 1799

Then take off the IAC housing and both sides (house and throttle body). clean that too. before and after...

View attachment 1800

View attachment 1801

View attachment 1802

Put it all back together and you're good to go. Very, very simple. It doesn't get any easier than this!
thanks a lot
 
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