Ugh, this is a stupid question... - The Ford Focus Forum

**Jimmy** · 10-04-2009, 07:36 PM

Where's the IAC valve on these beasts?

I've read for years about all the folks having trouble with them, and ignored it since I wasn't. Well, I think it might be the source of my on/off troubles for the past couple of years. Every once in a while the car will decide to rev like crazy, just idling at 2k or so. After a few seconds, it'll usually sloooowwwwly drop to normal. Until the next time I hit the gas pedal and let it idle again, then it does the same thing. After a few weeks it'll stop and go back to normal for a while. Then the gremlin returns. I've gone through several TPSes, but the problem always returns. The only codes I get are P1506 and P0122. The problem sounds similar to the IAC stuck/shot problem folks regularly have on the Zetec. I've never had to replace one before, on any car. So I don't even know what the damn thing would look like.

**faster_than_u** · 10-04-2009, 09:40 PM

its between the motor and the intake manifold(on the intake manifold) good luck getting your hand in there tho

**jeangreyfan** · 10-05-2009, 12:09 PM

good luck with this...mine is a 2000 SE spi and its having these issues...i have been through 2 iac valves, 2 tps', and i cant find a vacuum leak anywhere...if you fix your problem...please post so others that are going through this can fix it...thanks!

**Jimmy** · 10-05-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faster_than_u

its between the motor and the intake manifold(on the intake manifold) good luck getting your hand in there tho

A little more specific, ie, the back of the engine? Is it under the valve cover, and if so is the gasket reusable?

If I end up with a solution, I'll post it. If not, I may just sell the car and buy a cheap Jeep or something I can pay off quickly.

**faster_than_u** · 10-06-2009, 12:16 AM

its on the intake manifold. there is a 2-3 inch gap between the motor and the intake manifold so look there

**Jimmy** · 10-06-2009, 05:56 PM

I'm not sure where my reading comprehension was, lol.

Yeah, that's a job for a Saturday, not a Tuesday night when I have to drive the car tomorrow. I head out of town Friday, so it's gonna be a couple of weeks before I even start looking at this.

**Jimmy** · 10-29-2009, 12:44 PM

Well, I got back a couple of days ago, and the car's been running JUST FINE. Argh!

Whatever. I ordered a bunch of parts right before I came home, planning on tearing into the car over the four-day weekend I'm starting today. Those parts included an IAC, so if it starts acting up again I can get down to business. In the meantime, I've still got an almost-complete suspension overhaul to do.

And a new rubber grommet for the hood prop.

**tin_maddog** · 10-29-2009, 01:58 PM

The IAC is awkward to reach, but by no means is it not do-able. Have socket extensions ready, iirc.

**jeangreyfan** · 10-30-2009, 08:53 PM

since i first started having this problem, my engine light has come on with codes p1506 and p0122...i cannot find a vacuum leak even though it might be there. i recently changed my ignition lock cylinder and my engine light has went off and not come on since and its been a couple of weeks...you might want to try this and see if it fixes your engine code problem...mine still hangs though...can't figure out that issue yet...good luck!

**Jimmy** · 10-31-2009, 11:22 AM

That's odd...I'll keep that in mind. Once it starts acting up again I'll probably start with the IAC, then look at the ignition cylinder.

10-04-2009, 07:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jimmy [FJ] Addict Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 11,334	Ugh, this is a stupid question... Where's the IAC valve on these beasts? I've read for years about all the folks having trouble with them, and ignored it since I wasn't. Well, I think it might be the source of my on/off troubles for the past couple of years. Every once in a while the car will decide to rev like crazy, just idling at 2k or so. After a few seconds, it'll usually sloooowwwwly drop to normal. Until the next time I hit the gas pedal and let it idle again, then it does the same thing. After a few weeks it'll stop and go back to normal for a while. Then the gremlin returns. I've gone through several TPSes, but the problem always returns. The only codes I get are P1506 and P0122. The problem sounds similar to the IAC stuck/shot problem folks regularly have on the Zetec. I've never had to replace one before, on any car. So I don't even know what the damn thing would look like. __________________ They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

10-04-2009, 09:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
faster_than_u TEAM Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 731	Re: Ugh, this is a stupid question... its between the motor and the intake manifold(on the intake manifold) good luck getting your hand in there tho

10-05-2009, 12:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
jeangreyfan Rookie Join Date: May 2009 Location: Greenbrier, Arkansas Posts: 36	Re: Ugh, this is a stupid question... good luck with this...mine is a 2000 SE spi and its having these issues...i have been through 2 iac valves, 2 tps', and i cant find a vacuum leak anywhere...if you fix your problem...please post so others that are going through this can fix it...thanks!

10-06-2009, 12:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
faster_than_u TEAM Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 731	Re: Ugh, this is a stupid question... its on the intake manifold. there is a 2-3 inch gap between the motor and the intake manifold so look there

10-06-2009, 05:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jimmy [FJ] Addict Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 11,334	Re: Ugh, this is a stupid question... I'm not sure where my reading comprehension was, lol. Yeah, that's a job for a Saturday, not a Tuesday night when I have to drive the car tomorrow. I head out of town Friday, so it's gonna be a couple of weeks before I even start looking at this. __________________ They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

10-29-2009, 12:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jimmy [FJ] Addict Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 11,334	Re: Ugh, this is a stupid question... Well, I got back a couple of days ago, and the car's been running JUST FINE. Argh! Whatever. I ordered a bunch of parts right before I came home, planning on tearing into the car over the four-day weekend I'm starting today. Those parts included an IAC, so if it starts acting up again I can get down to business. In the meantime, I've still got an almost-complete suspension overhaul to do. And a new rubber grommet for the hood prop. __________________ They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

10-29-2009, 01:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
tin_maddog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,161	Re: Ugh, this is a stupid question... The IAC is awkward to reach, but by no means is it not do-able. Have socket extensions ready, iirc. __________________ you make me touch your hands for stupid reasons

10-30-2009, 08:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
jeangreyfan Rookie Join Date: May 2009 Location: Greenbrier, Arkansas Posts: 36	Re: Ugh, this is a stupid question... since i first started having this problem, my engine light has come on with codes p1506 and p0122...i cannot find a vacuum leak even though it might be there. i recently changed my ignition lock cylinder and my engine light has went off and not come on since and its been a couple of weeks...you might want to try this and see if it fixes your engine code problem...mine still hangs though...can't figure out that issue yet...good luck!

10-31-2009, 11:22 AM	#10 (permalink)
Jimmy [FJ] Addict Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Oklahoma City Posts: 11,334	Re: Ugh, this is a stupid question... That's odd...I'll keep that in mind. Once it starts acting up again I'll probably start with the IAC, then look at the ignition cylinder. __________________ They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

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